| Slow drains can be extremely frustrating to | | | | long-term waste accumulation. |
| the home owner and even more frustrating to | | | | |
| people who live in apartments. Fortunately, | | | | Enzymatic Cleaners are an environmentally |
| you don't have to always wait for the | | | | friendly drain cleaner that use enzymes to |
| management company to send a repairman. There | | | | break down clogs. However, they are slow to |
| are plenty of things you can do on your own | | | | work, often taking three or four days to |
| to fix a slow drain. This article will | | | | realize significant results. Enzymatic |
| discuss a variety of tools and tricks for | | | | Cleaners are perfect for drain maintenance. |
| maintaining a fast moving drain and clearing | | | | |
| a clogged one. | | | | Acidic Cleaners are extremely effective but |
| | | | can be quite destructive in the wrong hands. |
| For starters, when it comes to maintaining a | | | | They will dissolve most anything clogging a |
| healthy drain, an ounce of prevention is | | | | drain. They will also dissolve metal, |
| worth a truckload of drain-fixing tools. Want | | | | porcelain, and degrade aluminum and Stainless |
| to know a simple way to keep a free-flowing | | | | Steel. Only use an Acidic Cleaner as a last |
| drain healthy? Hot water. Put the stopper in | | | | resort. |
| your sink drain or shower drain, and run the | | | | |
| hot water directly from the tap and fill up | | | | If you decide to use a mechanical device to |
| the basin. Then pull the plug, and allow the | | | | clear your drain, here are the standard tools |
| hot water to continue to run for another | | | | of the trade: |
| thirty seconds after the basin empties. The | | | | |
| hot water breaks up old accumulations in the | | | | Plunger - your basic plunger can clear |
| waste line. By doing this once every few | | | | obstructive clogs from both the tub and the |
| weeks, it will prevent a new line from ever | | | | kitchen sink. A tight seal is needed if they |
| having clogs, and will also help clear out an | | | | are to work. Be careful when using a plunger, |
| older drain line over time. Another trick is | | | | especially if you pour a chemical drain |
| a cap-full of bleach once a week into every | | | | cleaner into the drain first. Splash back can |
| drain in the house. These simple tips for | | | | be very harmful to your face and eyes. Use |
| keeping drains clear will save you a lot of | | | | safety goggles or a splash back mask. |
| money in the long run. | | | | |
| | | | Drain Auger - this is a device that has |
| If your drains do end up clogged, the problem | | | | coiled wiring attached to a handle and crank. |
| usually lies in one of two areas: localized | | | | If you buy one of these, make sure to |
| obstruction and vertical or horizontal clog. | | | | purchase one that keeps the coil within a |
| | | | protective housing. The housing will keep |
| A localized obstruction is usually in a | | | | you, your project, and your home clean by |
| fixture trap, in a mechanical waste fixture | | | | keeping the drain slime within the housing. |
| or appliance, or where the drain piping makes | | | | |
| an abrupt change in direction. The | | | | Closet Auger - (also called a water closet) |
| obstruction is usually easy to clear with a | | | | this device is a three foot tube with a |
| wire or by using a plunger. Most often the | | | | right-angle bend at the bottom. Inside the |
| object is a small toy, cotton ball, | | | | tube is a cable and crank rod. This device is |
| toothpick, or something similar. Removal of | | | | perfect for clearing stubborn toilet clogs. |
| the item typically clears the slow drain | | | | |
| immediately. | | | | Power Auger - these are essentially the same |
| | | | as a Drain Auger but with a motor to |
| Horizontal and vertical clogs are a result of | | | | facilitate the breaking up of long-term pipe |
| years of waste accumulation within the drain | | | | accumulation. These are costly machines and |
| pipe. The slow, steady buildup of material | | | | are usually only purchased by professional |
| eventually restricts the flow of water. Over | | | | plumbers. |
| time, the drain works slower and slower, | | | | |
| eventually coming to a complete stop. To | | | | Those are the basic tips and tools for |
| clear these types of clogs, you will need an | | | | keeping household drain pipes clear. If you |
| auger or some form of liquid drain cleaner | | | | follow the hot water technique, you might not |
| such as an Enzymatic drain cleaner. | | | | ever need to use any of the above listed |
| | | | drainers and mechanical devices. And if you |
| If you decide to use a liquid drain cleaner, | | | | ever come across a stubborn drain, you can |
| you have three primary types to choose from: | | | | always hire a plumber. Although they can be |
| | | | expensive, they usually have the right |
| Alkaline cleaners are your basic supermarket | | | | equipment and (more importantly) the |
| products. These are poured directly into the | | | | necessary experience to know how to solve any |
| drain. They will work on simple hair and | | | | drain problem. |
| grease clogs, but won't do much to clear | | | | |