The difficulty in cleaning the drain pipe is that it is impossible to reach the inside of it. However, there are a number of ways you can flush the drain and remove blockages or foul odors. The drain pipe can be cleaned using soap and water, vinegar and baking soda, and regular commercially available pipe cleaners. Follow the tips in this article to keep your kitchen and bathroom drains clean.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Removing fat
Step 1. Bring two liters of water to a boil
Measure out two liters (8 cups) of water, pour it into a saucepan and place over high heat. Wait for the water to boil.
The water can also be heated in a kettle or electric water heater
Step 2. Add dishwashing liquid to the water
When the water comes to a boil, add three tablespoons (45 ml) of dishwashing liquid to the water. Turn off the heat, carefully lift the pot and take it to the drain pipe.
Step 3. Pour water down the drain
Gently tilt the pot or kettle to pour the water down the drain. If you have plastic pipes, do not pour the water right away, but wait 4–5 minutes for it to cool.
Step 4. Flush the drain with hot tap water
After the boiling water goes down the drain, turn on the hot water tap. If the drain is clogged and does not allow water to pass through well, try repeating the entire process again to remove more serious dirt and grease deposits.
Method 2 of 5: Traditional Clog Removal Techniques
Step 1. Buy from a store or order online a blockage remover
Decide which product you will use. These can be traditional pipe cleaners, foam cleaners, and enzymatic pipe cleaners. Conventional and foaming cleaners can contain environmentally harmful chemicals, while enzymatic pipe cleaners are made from natural ingredients.
Step 2. Read the instructions on the package
Blockage removers are different, so be sure to read the instructions for use to find out how long to wash off the blockage.
- Enzymatic pipe cleaners are more effective in warm water than in hot water.
- Do not mix two different types of products, or they may release toxic fumes.
Step 3. Pour the blockage cleaner into the drain
According to the instructions, pour the required amount of clogging cleaner into the drain. If the drain is blocked, the agent will remain at the top of the pipe.
Step 4. Flush the drain with hot water or boiling water
After some time, the remnants of the product will need to be washed off into the drain with warm water or boiling water.
For best results, follow the instructions on the package
Method 3 of 5: Removing food blockages with a plunger
Step 1. Close the drain and fill the sink halfway with water
Water is needed to create a suction effect and thereby push the blockage out. Fill the sink about halfway so that there is enough water to submerge the plunger.
Step 2. Insert the plunger and plug the drain
Insert a plunger into a sink filled with water and press it down to remove all air from it. If you have a double sink, insert a rag into the drain on the second sink to block it.
Step 3. Lift the handle up and down
Repeat reciprocating movements with the plunger, alternating pulling and pushing on the valve. Due to the tight fit of the plunger, water will go into the drain, not air. This should remove dirt deposits or food particles that are clogging the sink.
Place towels nearby to wipe up any spills while removing the blockage
Step 4. Flush the drain with hot water
Finish cleaning the drain by turning on the hot water tap. The drain pipe can also be rinsed with boiling water.
Method 4 of 5: Hair Removal with a Plumbing Wire
Step 1. Remove the bottom valve
Unscrew or remove the bottom valve from the drain. Some bathtubs also have a drain plug under the tap, which must be unscrewed to remove the drain. After you unscrew the bottom valve, try to remove some of the hair that is stuck in the drain pipe. Clean the bottom of the valve and wipe near the drain if you remove dirt or hair from the pipe.
Step 2. Insert the cable into the pipe
Buy a sturdy plumbing cable from your hardware / hardware store, or use the disposable one that comes with your blockage cleaner. A wire rope from a hardware store will likely have a handle that needs to be turned to push the wire further into the pipe.
There are also petrol and electric pipe cleaning cables available for rent
Step 3. Rotate the cable until it snaps into your hair
Rotate the cable to push it deeper into the pipe while scrubbing the dirt off the pipe wall. Continue turning the cable until you clear the blockage or until the cable stops. As it advances, the cable will pick up the hair that is blocking the drain.
When you get to the blockage, you will feel resistance
Step 4. Slowly pull the cable out of the drain
Pull the cable out of the drain pipe slowly. To remove the plumbing cable, turn the handle in the opposite direction. When you take out the cable, along with it you will take out the hair that is stuck in the pipe.
Step 5. Turn on the water tap to check if the drain is clogged
Turn on hot water to check if you have removed any hair that is clogging the pipe. If the drain is still clogged, repeat the entire process again until all hair has been removed.
Method 5 of 5: Removing bad odor from plums
Step 1. Pour half a cup (170 g) of baking soda into the drain
Measure 170 g of baking soda in a measuring cup and pour it into the drain so that the baking soda covers the walls of the pipeline.
Step 2. Boil 1 cup (240 ml) water in a saucepan
Pour 1 cup (240 ml) water into a saucepan over high heat. Keep heating the water until it boils.
Step 3. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the pot
Buy white vinegar from the grocery store. Pour 240 ml vinegar into a measuring cup. Turn off the heat under a saucepan with boiling water and add vinegar to it.
Step 4. Pour the vinegar solution into the drain
Take the pot of water to the pipe to be cleaned, then slowly and carefully pour the solution down the drain. If you have plastic pipes, do not empty the solution right away, but wait 4–5 minutes for it to cool.
Step 5. Leave the solution for 10 minutes
The baking soda will react with the vinegar and begin to foam. The foam will remove grease and oil from the inner walls of the piping.
Step 6. Rinse the pipe with another pot of boiling water
Boil 2 cups (480 ml) water in a saucepan. Slowly pour the water down the drain to flush the foam down the drain.