Your home’s plumbing transfers numerous fluids and debris that can accumulate over time and cause the pipes to clog and become dirty. Therefore, cleaning the pipes is an essential part of a homeowner’s life. However, when you take on the task of clearing them, you may need a few tips to make the process easier. Read on for helpful tips for cleaning your home’s pipes.
Flush the Pipes With Hot Water
Most materials that make their way into your drains will break down with enough hot water. Dirt buildup and cosmetic products will dissolve and drain once you flush the pipes with hot water for at least 10 minutes.
Longer streams of hot water will improve the effectiveness and may create enough pressure to move any small structures, such as hair, that may stick to the pipes’ interiors. If you need hotter water than the sink produces, boil a few pots on the stove and pour their water down the drain.
Avoid Over-Using Chemical Cleaners
Many consider chemical cleaners to be panaceas for most dirty drains and minor clogs. While they effectively clear the filth out of pipes, using too much will cause the pipes to degrade.
Prevent corrosion in your pipes by using chemical cleaners sparingly and flushing them down with water so that they don’t sit in the corners of the pipes where they’ll eat away at the material. Space out usage of the cleaner by at least a week and use other methods to keeping the pipes clean. This will prevent the buildup of harmful chemicals.
Use Classic Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the most common methods for pipe-cleaning is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Both products have acidic compounds and combine to make a fluid that eats away at dirt and breaks up hard clumps of materials, such as grease.
The bubbles that form when these two combine will break and pull away built-up substances. And when flushed with hot water, they’ll move along small debris that has remained stuck to the pipe. As you can see, this is a helpful way to clean your home’s pipes. Using this mixture weekly will keep your pipes clean for longer and prevent backups from occurring.
Keeping the pipes clear is important for maintaining your home. Use these tips to help you make the task easier.
