Shaving can cause or exacerbate a clog, especially if you use a thick shaving cream or high-lather soap.(Image: https://cdn.careeronestop.org/OccVids/OccupationVideos/47-4071.00.jpg) When you shave, rinse with hot water to help dissolve the soap residue left behind. Many different substances can clog a drain; however, hair, soap, grease, fat, and oil are the most common. To determine the clog type, remove the drain cover and inspect the drain opening with a flashlight. This formula may cause a slight vinegar smell after use, but it can effectively remove scum and debris clogs. Eliminating clogs and buildup in your pipes is a task you can do yourself. Most problems can be solved by using the best drain opener for the job such as a plunger or chemical drain cleaner. To keep your drains running free, try using an enzyme drain opener regularly. Use The Home Depot Mobile App to locate products and check inventory. If none of the DIY plumbing solutions above work, get help from a professional plumber. When the water is blocked completely from draining or clogs continue to happen repeatedly, there may be a deeper problem to address. Unfamiliar sounds and smells, such as gurgling, bubbling, or a foul odor coming from the drain, are signs you need a plumbing professional. While home remedies can address some drainage issues, knowing when to consult with an expert will help keep your drains unclogged and clean in the long term. They are generally gentle formulations that are noncorrosive to newer and older plastic and metal drain pipes in sinks, shower drains, tubs, and toilets. Be careful not to add any more than the 1/2 cup of each called for. Consider using the suction power of a wet-dry shop vacuum to loosen a drain clog . Use a rag to cover the drain and hose opening for a tight seal before turning on the vacuum. As their name suggests, these products rely on chemical reactions to break up a blockage. Food, hair, paper, grease, plastic, soap scum, and even household items, such as pet toys, are some of the materials and items that can get stuck in your drains. Ensure that the drain cleaner you’re purchasing is appropriate for what’s causing your blockage. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews. To compile this list, she spent hours researching drain cleaners and narrowing down the best options based on the formula, suggested use, overall value, and more. If no amount or type of drain cleaner works, it may be time to call in a plumber. Enzyme-based drain openers use natural enzymes and bacteria to break down organic clogs. Enzyme-based drain openers can be used for smaller clogs in toilets. Consider using an enzyme cleaner regularly to help prevent organic material such as grease from building up in your pipes. Always read and follow the directions, adhering to specific amounts and dwell times. Never leave any type of drain cleaner inside drains for longer than the maximum dwell time. Chemical cleaners, in particular, can produce enough heat to melt pipes or crack porcelain toilet bowls if left too long. TubShroom’s drain protector can help keep drains clear of clogs by catching hair, food, grease, fat, and soap scum, the substances typically responsible for forming clogs. With this drain protector in place, the material doesn’t make it down the drain, so cleanup is easy. Others require you to remove the horizontal pivot rod under the sink. Free the rod from the vertical strap, unscrew the lever seal from the drainpipe and pull out the rod. If you need to use pliers to remove a stopper, pad the stopper so you don't mar the finish. Removing hair collected around a pop-up stopper or sink strainer clears one common clog in the bathroom. We also like it as a once-per-month maintenance product, advice echoed by many reviewers who have used Bio-Clean as a preventative maintenance product and swear by its effectiveness. When the plunger fails, these powerful cleaners can blast through grease, hair and other nasty clogs. Toilet snakes or augers have a long plastic or metal tube with a curved end made to conform to a toilet’s drain. A plumber will probably conduct a pipe inspection before using heavy-duty tools, such as a motorized drain snake or hydro-jet, to remove the clog. Picking a drain cleaner for the specific type of clog you have is key to finding success. Remove the sink strainer or stopper as described above if necessary. While this drain cleaner is on the pricier side, each canister has enough product for up to 100 chemical-free treatments. For more in regards to pranavida.org take a look at our own web-site. This product is safe to use in showers, sinks, tubs, as well as septic systems, garbage disposals, PVC pipes, and metal pipes—but it's important to note that it's not safe to use in toilets. Like most drain cleaners, Drano Max Gel contains chemical ingredients that can be harmful if swallowed or in contact with the skin or eyes.(Image: https://live.staticflickr.com/3873/15055080426_436a94f68b.jpg)