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If you are noticing water pooling in your sink, tub, or shower, you may be in need of drain cleaning services. Before you call the professionals, however, try a few common techniques that may solve your problem. Hot Water Simply running hot H2O down the affected pipe may do the trick. The pressure and temperature can cause clogs to dislodge, as well as clean out built-up materials like shampoos, soaps, hair, or food particles. Run the water for about 15 minutes. Sometimes, this simple technique is all you need to get your system running smoothly again. Plunger You don't necessarily need specialized drain cleaning tools to take care of clogs. A bathroom plunger or sink plunger can often loosen them. Make sure you cover the entire opening with the plunger and apply steady, back-and-forth pressure continuously for about two minutes. If you are having trouble getting a seal over the opening, apply petroleum jelly to the plunger rim. Homemade Remedies If hot water alone or a plunger don't remove the blockage, you may want to try a liquid solution. Commercial chemicals may be harsh and even cause damage with continued use. A common mixture uses vinegar and baking soda. These materials, when combined, react to break up materials within pipes, without harming the surrounding walls. Any of these methods may need to be repeated for tough clogs, and are also useful to maintain clean drains. Some of the techniques include: - One method calls for pouring a cup of baking soda down the pipe, followed by ½ cup of vinegar. Cover the pipe and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Next, run hot water through to remove the clogs. - A variation of this is to pour one cup of each down the pipe and follow with boiling water in three to five-minute intervals. - Another method is to pour one cup of the baking soda, followed by two cups of boiling water. Wait a few minutes, and then pour another cup of baking soda down the drain. Next, pour one cup of white vinegar and plug the pipe. Once the bubbles subside, add another cup of boiling water. Another, though somewhat unconventional, a solution is to use soft drinks or sugary sodas. They contain phosphoric acid, which is a dissolving agent that can break down clogged debris, sometimes as well as the vinegar and baking soda solution. Drain Snake A drain snake is a tool that many plumbers use, but you can find them at any home improvement store. If you have a regular problem with clogging, it may be worth the $25-$50 investment. You simply feed the snake through until you feel the clog, then rotate the snake against the blockage. Once the snake is lodged into the clogged matter, you pull it out slowly, removing the debris. If these remedies don't work, it is wise to call a drain cleaning professional. They can usually quickly diagnose a problem, and give you the options for addressing the immediate need, as well as preventing future problems. While you can do regular prevention cleaning and be careful that harmful objects don't go down your pipes, it's also a good idea to have a professional inspect your pipes at least yearly. When looking for drain cleaning in Freehold, NJ, residents go to Doctor Rooter. To learn more, visit http://www.doctorrooterplumbing.com/#!sewer-and-drain/c13cz.
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