If you are experiencing trouble with unpleasant odors in your home and can’t quite figure out why, you might want to consider cleaning your drains. Grimy, stopped-up drains are an easy way for pungent odors to spread through your home, impacting your day-to-day life in an unpleasant way. Read on to explore how to effectively clean out your drains and prevent future issues.
How to Clean Drains: Step-by-Step
The kitchen and bathroom are the most common places in the home for clogged drains. These are areas where the greatest amounts of water flow and waste pass through. Not only can dirty drains cause foul odors and bacteria buildup, but they can also lead to slow draining in your sinks, tubs, or showers.
If you want to attempt to clear away the gunk in your drains quickly before calling a professional, try these steps:
Step 1: Remove Debris, Buildup, or Foreign Objects
A buildup or blockage of some kind can typically be to blame for a slow-going shower, sink, or toilet. The first thing you need to do before cleaning a drain is to eliminate any possible clogs. An easy way to do this is to use a plunger.
You may think plungers are just for toilets, but you can also use them for plumbing fixtures in your home. Apply vigorous plunging with a clean plunger to try to loosen any clogs in the drain.
Step 2: Get Rid of Unpleasant Odors
Once you’ve cleared the blockages in your drain, you may find there’s still a lingering odor. To clean your drains and remove the smell, try using some household ingredients.
A mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water can be an effective way to stop the stink:
- First, pour a half cup of baking soda in your drain, then a half cup of white vinegar.
- Next, cover the drain opening and let the mixture sit for around 15 minutes.
- Finally, pour boiling water down the drain to flush everything out.
Step 3: Nip Future Drain Clogs in the Bud
There are a handful of practical ways to keep your drains clear and smelling fresh for an extended time. These methods include using drain screens, refraining from pouring grease down the drain, and keeping up with your drains and drain stoppers through routine maintenance.
Need Professional Help to Unclog Drains?
At Armor Plumbing, we understand how vital clean drains are to you and your home. If you’d rather not mess with troubleshooting and need a fast, effective solution, count on our licensed, insured plumbers.
We are here to help when a plumbing disaster (or minor inconvenience) strikes. We also offer general plumbing maintenance to keep your plumbing system in tip-top condition all year long. Contact Armor Plumbing & Underground to schedule service or to learn more about the best way to clean your drains.