Here at Vern’s Plumbing, we know it’s never a good feeling to find out that your drain is clogged. Whether there’s standing water in your shower or dirty dish water collecting in your sink, unclogging your pipe is a top priority to get your home functioning again. In these situations, it may be tempting to reach for a bottle of commercial drain cleaner made from man-made chemicals, but doing so may cause long-term damage to your pipes.

Chemical drain cleaners are corrosive and eat away at whatever is clogging your drain. While this works to clear your nasty pipes, the chemicals also eat away at the interior of the pipe, wearing down the metal or plastic and shortening their longevity. This can lead to pipe bursts and leaks, which are costly to repair.

Chemical drain cleaners can also be dangerous for humans. The highly toxic chemicals can cause severe burns and scarring if they come in contact with your skin and can also cause eye irritation. So, how should you clear your clogged pipe? The good news is that there are plenty of natural home remedies to clear your drain clog without causing damage.

1. Concoct Your Own Drain Cleaner

One of the easiest ways to unclog your pipe is to create your own natural drain cleaner. This is what you’ll need:

• Boiling water
• Vinegar or lemon juice
• Baking soda

Your first step is to clear out any water from inside your sink or bathtub. The concoction won’t be able to reach the clog if there is standing water in the way. Next, pour down a pot or kettle of boiling water.

Mix one cup of vinegar with one cup of water. If you don’t have any vinegar, you can replace it with lemon juice. Next, pour a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by the vinegar mixture.

Allow the mixture to sit for twenty minutes. Pour down another pot or kettle of boiling water after the twenty minutes is up. Your drain should be unclogged after these steps are complete. If it still won’t drain, you can try this process again or try one of the methods below.

2. Use A Plunger

Plungers are commonly used to unclog toilets, but they can also be used to unclog a sink or bathtub drain. When you use a plunger, make sure there is at least an inch of water in the sink or tub before you attempt to unclog the drain.

Place your plunger over the opening of the drain and pump it a few times to dislodge whatever is clogging your drain. Lift the plunger from the drain and see if the water drains from the sink or tub. If it does, the clog has been cleared. If it doesn’t, continue to pump the plunger until it drains.

3. Use A Drain Snake

Another way to unclog your drain is to use a drain snake. You can find drain snakes at your nearby hardware stores. To use your drain snake, insert the skinny metal end into the opening of the drain. Crank the handle on the end of the snake until you feel resistance coming from the pipe. This is where the clog is located.

Continue to crank the snake until it breaks through the clog and there is no longer resistance. Simply rotate the handle of the snake in the opposite direction to pull the snake out of the drain again. Run hot water down the sink for a few minutes after the snake is removed to encourage the clog to fully clear.

Drain Cleaning Tips

Clearing your pipes naturally is much safer and better for your pipes. However, there are a few things to avoid to keep you and your pipes unharmed.

Some drain cleaner recipes will call for salt, which is poured down the drain. Since salt is coarse and abrasive, this can actually damage the pipe — especially if the process is repeated multiple times. Using baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice works just as well and won’t damage the interior of your pipes.

As you attempt to clear your drains, never place a lot of force on a clog that won’t budge down the drain. Tough clogs may require the assistance of a plumber, and attempting to clear them yourself may result in damage to your pipe.

BIO-CLEAN Waste Eliminator

Another option that we recommend is the BIO-CLEAN bacteria waste eliminator. This unique blend of all-natural bacteria and enzymes works to get rid of waste buildup in your plumbing and septic systems! All you have to do is mix it with water and it starts working its magic!

A 2-pound container of BIO-CLEAN offers up to 100 drain treatments and 1,000 gallon septic tank treatments! This eliminator is the best natural, effective and economical choice for your home. By joining our VP Club Maintenance Plan, you can enjoy the many benefits of BIO-CLEAN as well!

Call On The Pros To Clean Your Drain!

Here at Vern’s Plumbing, we offer drain-cleaning services to the Bealeton and Culpeper areas. If your drain is clogged and needs cleaning, use these natural cleaning methods to try and unclog your drain. If your clog is more than you can handle, contact Vern’s Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.