How To Unclog A Drain Without Chemicals
When your drain gets clogged up, you only have so many options to remove a blockage and unclog a drain without chemicals. These range from a plunger to a drain snake or some kind of caustic and very toxic chemical that will break down the buildup without you having to do much work.
While using a drain snake is a great and easy solution, drain-clearing chemicals can go directly into the sewer stream, where they often aren’t properly filtered. What this means is that those nasty, caustic chemicals can end up in rivers and nearby streams of water.
Not only do common draining chemicals cause environmental damage, they’re also typically composed of bleach and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is a highly corrosive salt. So corrosive that it can cause major irritation, vision problems, and chemical burns if inhaled, ingested, or accidentally splashed into the eye. Excessive exposure to this caustic substance can also lead to nose/throat irritation, chest pain, vomiting, dermatitis, and ulcers inside of your nasal passages.
So what does all this mean to you as a homeowner? Well, the good news is that there are safer and more natural ways to unclog a drain without chemicals. To avoid having to use dangerous chemicals, just take a look inside your kitchen pantry.
How to unclog a drain without chemicals
Tools Needed
- Plunger or drain stopper (to seal the drain)
- Tea kettle
Ingredients Needed
- Baking soda
- ½ c. vinegar
- 1 quart of water
- If there’s any standing water in the sink, use a cup to scoop out the water. Use a towel or paper towels to ensure the sink is relatively dry.
- Pour ½ of the box of baking soda down into the clogged drain
- Get your plunger or stopper, be ready to hold it down tightly
- Pour ½ c. vinegar down the drain
- Immediately after pouring the vinegar, plug the drain with the plunger or stopper, filling the drain hole so that none of the concoction can escape.
- Keep holding tight until the “mini volcano” you’ve just made comes to a rest
- Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit in the drain for 30 minutes, with the plunger or stopper covering the drain still. While you wait, fill the tea kettle with water and bring that to a boil
- After your 30 minutes is up and your water is boiled, slowly pour the hot water down the the drain.
- Allow water to run to check if the drain has become unclogged. If it’s still backed up, repeat the following steps. If you find the clog is being especially stubborn, you may need to get a drain snake to help loosen the mass that is stuck.
When all else fails and you’re unable to unclog a drain without chemicals, you can always turn to A-Abel plumbing for help. Our experienced plumbers are ready to clear your drains and get your plumbing back to superior condition. Give us a call today if you have any questions or need help with your clogged drain.
