One common problem faced by most homeowners is blocked drains. This might be due to the kitchen sink or even the bathroom sink. Though this is a common occurrence in most houses and most of us get flustered once this problem arises. An easy way out most of us opt for is using the chemical cleaners available. You need to be aware that these chemicals are harsh and there is a possibility of these causing larger blocks as all that they do is only push the block further down.

Homemade remedies that can unclog the drain to the fullest:

#Baking Soda and Vinegar:

Mix 1/3 cup of vinegar with 1/3 cup of baking soda. This tends to immediately fizz. Pouring this instantly in the drain which is blocked works well. This fizz clears the drain of any grime, grease or even hair. It is advisable not to use the sink overnight if possible. If this is difficult you need to give it at least one hour. After an hour you need to flush this with hot water. You can also put the dry baking soda first and pour in the vinegar.

#Boiling Water:

This is the easiest method to clear blocked drains. You need to heat up a vessel of water and slowly pour it down the drain. This needs to be done in stages so that the water gets a minimum of two to three seconds to work on the blockage. However, you need to use lukewarm water and not complete boiling water so that the pipes do not get corroded.

#The Vacuum:

Set the vacuum to vacuum liquids and cover this up so that there is no mess. After which you need to create a tight seal over the drain. The high setting of the vacuum draws the clog to the vacuum bag.

#The Wire Hanger:

Straighten a wire coat hanger to the maximum. You then create a hook by bending one side of this. Put this end in the drain and move it around. This pulls out the hair and other stuff which is causing the problem. Make sure of pulling the muck out and not push it further down.

#Caustic Soda:

Caustic soda tends to be harmful, make sure you use gloves while handling this. Pour around ¾ gallons of water in a bucket and add 3 cups of this caustic soda. Use a wooden spoon for stirring. This mixture starts heating and also tends to fizz. Pour this down the drain and leave it for around half an hour. After which you need to pout hot water.

#Maintenance of Drains:

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Maintaining the drain on a regular basis can reduce the problems of blocked drains. Some tips for the maintenance can be helpful.

• Make sure the drains are covered with food and hair catchers. These are called strainers. These strainers prevent unwanted stuff from entering the drains.
• Making use of vinegar and baking soda on a regular basis helps in keeping the drains clean and odorless.
• Pour hot water in all your sinks after every use. Any build up in the drains gets flushed down.

Besides this you can keep a watch on what is being thrown in the sink or being flushed down the toilet. A little effort taken can save you from uncalled for hassles with the drains. Choosing sinks for the bathroom and kitchen is not as easy as it seems. The size of the sink does make a difference. Taking guidance from experienced professionals can be helpful. Choose a sink which not only looks good but functions well and is easy to maintain.