PVC pipes carry out more waste than trash cans, and that’s why you must know how to clean PVC pipe inside your home. Some of that waste could be materials that you have no idea have the potential to clog them. A clogged pipe can easily cause a standstill in your daily routine at home.
Failure to unclog your blocked PVC pipes can cause more problems in your plumber system. Besides, unclogging the pipes goes beyond pouring some liquid down the drain in a trial to take care of obstructions. Often, doing that will only worsen the situation.
So what do you do when you discover that your PVC pipes are clogged? The first thing is to get in touch with a certified plumber from services from an agency like Clover Services to look at your PVC plumbing and suggest the best unclogging options.
There is an art to unclogging PVC pipes that you must know. After reading this article, you’ll understand how to clean out PVC drain pipe.
Common Methods On How to Unclog PVC Pipe
Plumbing systems to remove water and sewer gases consist of PVC pipes. The benefit of PVC pipes in plumbing is their non-corrosive qualities and the fact that they are heat resistant. For that reason, they can last for many years when well maintained.
Unfortunately, PVC pipes can sometimes clog occasionally, and plumbing professionals have the right tools to eliminate clogs. You can hire a plumber or try unclogging your PVC pipes yourself. Unclogging PVC pipes in your home can be more hands-on.
Equipment to unclog your PVC pipes is affordable and not complicated to use. There is freedom for you to work with the closest tools you have as a homeowner.
Let’s start with the most basic option to unclog PVC pipes.
Using Hot Water
Using hot water to unclog PVC pipes follows a series of steps. It’s easy, but it’s essential to follow the recommended steps to get you the results you are looking for.
When using hot water, ensure that it is not too hot such that it will melt the PVC piping. The result is severe damage which could lead to unplanned expenses.
First, turn on the hot water faucet and let the water run for about 5 to 10 minutes. The hot water will dislodge the clogs in the pipes, especially when it’s grease. Also, the sludge around the clog disintegrates and passes through the pipe. Watch the water level so that you turn off the faucet when the sink or tub starts to back up.
Follow Up With a Plunger
If the hot water fails to work, use a plunger. But first, fill the tub or sink with about 4 inches of water. Plug the overflow holes with a wet rug. Next, roll the plunger onto the drain to push water and not air into the drain.
Create a seal with the plunger by holding it down firmly. That suctioning force over the drain should loosen clogged debris in the pipe. Proceed to move the plunger up and down several times and remove it quickly from the drain.
Clean the P –Trap
The initial step of cleaning the P –trap is removing standing water from the sink using a sponge. Position a bucket under the trap and start opening it. It would be good to wear gloves for the next part.
Use your finger or the screwdriver to remove the clog. Feel free to improvise with other objects if these are not options. You will have to snake the drains if the clog is further down from the P-trap.
Using a Drain Snake
Hair clogs the sink or shower drain when hair clings to the pop-up stopper rod or a drain strainer. Such a clog is easy to extract using a barbed cable tie tool. It’s a version of a drain snake. You will not have trouble identifying the snake that you will need to unclog your pipes.
Snaking requires you to insert the snake into the pipe and spin it while pushing down the drain to reach the clog. Rotate the snake unit and loosen the clog. If snaking doesn’t work, you might have to consider more drastic measures like an enzyme drain cleaner.
Using Enzyme Cleaners
Enzyme cleaners, too, can work for partial or loosened clogs. Enzyme cleaners are a great option since they are gentler than other chemical drain cleaners. One of the ways they are gentle is that they are non-corrosive on plastic and don’t contain harmful substances.
Other drain cleaners, such as caustic and acidic cleansers, contain fumes that irritate lungs, skin, and eyes. Their application might be prudent on an industrial scale and may require you to have special gear.
Expect enzyme drainage cleaners to work slowly, but they get the work done. Follow the instructions on the label to ensure that you get results. One essential instruction is that you must not leave the enzyme in the pipe longer than recommended.
Refrain from mixing the cleaner with other materials since it could cause a dangerous reaction. Begin with opening the stopper to pour the drain cleaner steadily. Use clean water to flush the pipes to see if the enzyme cleaner cleared the clog.
Tips to Prevent Clogs
You can go a long time without ever experiencing the inconveniences of clogged pipes when you understand how to clean PVC pipe inside your house. It takes doing some impel but impactful things such as:
- Watch what you flush down the drain. Coffee grounds, cleaning products, and fruits stickers will clog your systems.
- Use hair traps.
- Repair leaks with haste to prevent the growth of mold, which could cause clogs.
- Adjust water pressure so as not to strain the plumbing system, which could cause leaks.
- Apply filtration devices in water appliances.
Final Words
Clearing clogs can be messy and smelly, especially if you don’t know how to clean PVC pipe inside your home. The best thing you can do for yourself is to stay clear of clogs in the first place. If you find yourself doubting your PVC pipes unclogging skis, a plumber is the best way. You can get recommendations for the best methods to apply to unclog PVC pipes so that they won’t get damaged. Unclogging PVC pipes when they get clogged could save your home from potential structural damage.
