How Do You Clean a Drain?

Have you ever wondered about the ways to clean a drain in your home? Sure, it can be a tedious task and not the most pleasant, but we’re going to discuss how to clean your drains at home. Let’s dive in.

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How to Clean Drains Naturally?

Many people ask: “What can I pour down my drain to unclog?”

Well, there are a few “natural” ways to unclog a drain and drain cleaning at home. Most of which use ingredients from your cupboard. But remember, if this doesn’t work, it may be time to call an expert to come to inspect your drain system and check for blockages.

If your system is blocked or backed up, a natural solution will do nothing for you and in the long-run, cause some serious damage.

Some of the ways you can naturally unclog your drain include:

  • Using a combination of baking soda and vinegar
  • A mix of baking soda and lemon juice
  • Baking soda and salt
  • A combination of baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar

Most of these combinations will use 2 parts water and 1 part of baking soda or half when combined with other ingredients.

Will Bleach Unclog a Drain?

One very popular way to try and unclog your drains is by using bleach. Plus, bleach is a known bacteria killer and odor neutralizer.

In general, diluted bleach is ok to use in moderation. It will definitely disinfect your drain but will not UNCLOG it. The mixture of bleach and water is great for cleaning your drain and flushing out any debris. However, things can get tricky because bleach will not unclog the drain. It’s great for sanitation and killing horrible smelly germs, but that is it.

For drain cleaning and plumbing you may need to call a professional like the ones in our Swat team for more information and services.

What do Plumbers Use to Unclog Drains?

Most plumbers will use specialized equipment to unclog your property’s drains. Some of these include a manual drain snake, which is a small auger that rotates and is pushed through the clog.

Another tool includes a motorized drain snake. This handy tool is brought in when the manual drain snake doesn’t work. This will most likely be used in the sewer port outside the home. This tool extends to 150 feet and clears larger clogs.

In other cases, plumbers will use a hydro-jetting machine, which is used when none of the above works. This will also include a video inspection of the sewer lines.

Drain Cleaning Bacteria

If you’re experiencing the terrible odors coming from your drains, there are a few cleaners that you can use in order to get rid of the odors attacking you every time you pass by.

However, we have a very important recommendation for you. Don’t use chemical drain cleaners. It may seem a bit mundane, but there is a lot of truth in this. Chemical drain cleaners will eat through your pipes. In the long-run (and short-run if your pipes are older) it will cause huge damages including cracks, leaks and complete corrosion of piping.

The best option is to use bio drain cleaners. This is nothing like the chemical products that people are used to purchasing. It will not by any means cause the expensive damages chemical cleaners will.

Bio cleaners are different products. They are safe to use in your home and will definitely provide the results you are looking for when cleaning your drain. This is the best “chemical” to unclog drains.

Drain Cleaning Equipment

If you are interested in purchasing some drain cleaning equipment for yourself, we’d be happy to make a few recommendations. So that you count on the right equipment that will not harm your piping and will unblock and unclog your drain successfully. It’s smart to have some of these handy for removing and loosening the top of the drain, as well as the basic resources to access the clog.

Some of the standard tools include the following:

  • Snake: This is the most flexible drain cleaning tool. It is a long- tube-like tool that is used to push through blockages. It has a grip handle for you to hold and push down the drain.
  • Plunger: You know plungers and most likely already own one. These are great to suction and release backups. These come in many sizes and you can find the best for your drain in any home improvement store.
  • Wire Brush: These small wire brushes are used to clean the gunk after you removed blockages from the drain. They are combined with the use of soap and hot water and are similar to toothbrushes.

Final Thoughts

If you need professional help for unclogging your drains and avoid damage, contact us today at 817-244-4370! We look forward to hearing from you.

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SWAT Plumbing was great from the start. With our hurry-up and wait culture, it’s easy to think your issue is the only issue. Understanding today’s climate, the timeliness was acceptable due to the holiday. The office support was kind and understanding. Our technician I believe was Hershel and he was professional, patient, respectful, and a problem solver. Our faucet had a leak, and needed to be replaced and after replacing, our water pressure was not there anymore. He diagnosed the problem and fixed it. Thanks for your great service, I would definitely use your services again if need be.

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Ken the GM is great! Him and his young assistant came out to my home to repair my water heater and kitchen faucet. Ken noticed that the faucet was old and he refused to try to put new parts on an old system so he called it in and received authorization to replace the entire set. Also, it took his assistance less than 5 minuets to replace the busted hose on my water heater. Their service and attention was excellent! Hi highly recommend that you try them the next time you have a plumbing issue!

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S.W.A.T. is really great to work with. Clayton is really awesome and is very professional, respectful, proficient, knowledgeable and delivers top quality. He came out to treat our water heater. He took the time to explain the process in detail as well as to give us a very helpful and honest assessment of our system. Thank you S.W.A.T and Clayton!

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