How to Use Salt And Vinegar To Unclog Drain

You can unclog your clogged drain several ways, and using salt and vinegar to unclog drain is a well-known and effective homemade recipe. Not only is this method cheap because you can find most of the ingredients in the home, but it also works effectively.

This article will provide you with several ways to unclog your drink with just your vinegar and salt if that is all you have to use in the house.

Let’s get started!

How to Use Salt And Vinegar To Unclog Drain 

A clog in your drain is one of the common issues you would most likely encounter in the home. It can be quite frustrating always to see a pool of water rising at your drain, but not to worry, we are here to help you fix that issue. 

Salt is a very effective declogging, especially the Epsom salt, but when mixed with vinegar, you have created a powerful de-clogger for yourself. To unclog your drain with salt and vinegar, follow the steps below; 

• Mix one cup of vinegar and one cup of salt in a small bowl and stir until the mixture is smooth
• If you want to increase the acidic level of the mixture, then you can add ½ cup of lemon juice
• If you do not have lemon juice around, increase the vinegar to 1 ½ cups so the mixture has a liquid-like texture
• Flush your drain with a bowl of hot water and let it sit for about five minutes before pouring the liquid mixture down the drain and letting it sit for another fifteen minutes
• You should be open to more than just one cup of salt and vinegar, and you should work depending on the size of your drain and the intensity of the clog
• After that, you can pour four cups of hot water into the drain. Ensure that you pour the hot water directly into the drain hole and keep it from running down the sink, so it doesn’t cool off along the way

The best salt to use to unclog your drain is Epsom salt. Due to its coarse nature and the fact that it takes a while to dissolve into the drain, the Epsom salt would do the job perfectly. All you have to follow is the same procedure as above, but this time, with Epsom salt. 

Disadvantages Of Using Salt To Unclog Clogged Drain 

There are some disadvantages of using salt to unclog your drains, but it is limited to certain types of pipes. There are two major types of plumbing pipes:

1. PVC pipes
2. Metal pipes

Salt is usually corrosive, and using it on a metal pipe can corrode these pipes. And when it comes to using hot water, PVC pipes would not be able to handle the heat since they cannot handle the heat of the water or any liquid hotter than 140 degrees F.

The best thing for you to do in this case is to use the hot water solution with metal pipes since water temperature does not affect them and use the salt solution with the PVC pipes since they are not affected by salt and cannot rust.

What Usually Blocks Drain Pipes

As the old saying says, prevention is better than cure, and it is very necessary for you to know the particles that usually block your drains. Some of these particles include; 

1. Hair Particles 

When strands of hair alongside animal fur keep going into the sink, it eventually gets tangled and clogs the drain pipes. To prevent this, prevent every little hair strands you find in your sink and try your best to avoid flushing them down the sink. 

Also, when in the kitchen, ensure that you cover your hair so you do not have hair fall into the sink occasionally without your notice. 

2. Soap 

Soap residue is another common buildup that can clog drainage over time. Certain traditional soaps are made with oil and grease, and these soaps build up scum faster. Avoid flushing large pieces of soap down your drain. 

3. Food Waste 

You should keep your food particles down the drain because the drain was made specifically for liquid wastes, just water. Even when doing the dishes, ensure that you pack up pieces of this solid dirt and let them in the waste disposal before doing the dishes. 

4. Mineral Build Up 

Sometimes, drain blockage is about more than just you. Sometimes it has to do with the water supply in your local area. If you have hard water where you live, there is a high chance of mineral buildup from calcium and magnesium salts, reducing water flow. 

To stop this, ensure that you install a water softener in your home. That way, you can handle the hard water supply. If you already have a mineral buildup, you should seek help from a professional plumber. 

5. Small Objects 

It would help if you were very careful with small objects that can get into your drain hole in the kitchen and toilet drains. In this case, you must ensure that you are careful not to flush anything that you shouldn’t flush down the drain. 

In cases where you have already flushed an object down the drain, you can get a plumber to help you get it out. 

6. Toilet Paper Buildup 

It is common for toilet paper to create a buildup easily when used in moderate amounts because it is degradable. Still, when you start using too much toilet paper and letting it down the sink instead of the toilet, it is most likely to build up and create a blockage. 

When this happens, ensure that you get a professional plumber to fix the issue and when it is done, ensure that you let your toilet paper into the toilet bowl instead of the sinks. 

Conclusion

Having a clogged drain can be frustrating to you as a homeowner, but fortunately, there are several household remedies you can try out. You do not have to go far to get a remedy. 

These are easy and affordable ways to unclog your clogged drain; if this works for you, you do not need to call a professional plumber.

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