If you find yourself with a clogged drain or have plumbing that isn’t working as efficiently it should be, your first thought may be a DIY job with chemical cleaners. These chemicals can do more harm than good for your plumbing, and may contain sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid. This acid degrades pipes over time. Check out these safe DIY cleaning options instead:

Minor Clogs:

If you have a slow drain or minor clog, then try out these methods that are easy and safe for your pipes!

• Baking Soda with Vinegar or Lemon Juice: mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of either vinegar or lemon juice and pour it into your clogged sink. Let sit for up to 8 hours. Flush with hot or boiling water. You could also try this method with a combination of half cup of equal parts of salt,  borax, and vinegar. 
• Hot Water: sometimes a minor clog might simply be fixed with some hot or boiling water poured down the drain to push grease and waste through the pipes. You could add dish soap to help speed the process.
• Plunger: if food or kitchen waste is stuck in the drain, then you can add some warm water to the sink, and use a rubber plunger to unclog the back up.

When It’s Better To Call Professionals:

DIY draining cleaning is more of a temporary fix than a long-term solution. The above methods may help minor clogs, but some problems require a more professional fix. Cathedral Plumbing can assess and detail the maintenance required to fix clogged sinks and plumbing issues in your home. Not addressing blockages, or attempting a DIY fix that can cause further damage, will result in major and costly plumbing problems. Work to properly maintain your drains and plumbing, and contact professionals when you know the issues are beyond your scope of skills.