How to clean the inside of drain pipes?

Author: Heloise Smith  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Plumbers do recommend using bleach to clean and deodorize the drain once a month in place of baking soda and vinegar. Pour as much as ¾ a cup of bleach in every drain once a month and it will kill the bacteria and germs that have built up in them.

How to clean inside plumbing pipes?

Pro advice here. Mix up a strong batch of baking soda and dish detergent and pour down the drain. Once you do that add a cup of vinegar . The solution safely breaks down grease and soap build up without eating the pipe.

What dissolves gunk in pipes?

A straightforward yet effective approach to addressing a clogged drain pipe involves simply using hot water mixed with dish soap. This method, ideal for tackling minor blockages, leverages the degreasing power of dish soap combined with the force of hot water to dislodge and dissolve clog-causing residue.

How to unblock a drain pipe inside?

Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain and let the mixture sit for an hour, then flush with hot water. Plumbing Snake or Auger: A plumbing snake can physically remove blockages that are deeper in the pipe.

How do you clean internal pipes?

Typical internal tube and pipe cleaning methods, whether aqueous or solvent, are the same as those used for cleaning external surfaces. These include flushing, swabbing, and ultrasonic cavitation. All of these methods are effective and have been used for decades.

How Pipes Are Professionally Cleaned and Relined | Art Insider

How do you clean the inside of PVC pipe?

General Cleaning Method
  1. Apply any household spray cleaner on the PVC pipe and allow it to soak.
  2. Next, use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away dirt particles from hard-to-reach areas inside the PVC pipe.
  3. Wipe down the PVC pipe with a lint-free cloth.
  4. Repeat the process as necessary.

How do you flush sediment out of pipes?

Begin the flushing procedure by opening the hot water taps in your bathroom(s). Open ALL hot water sink fixtures, hot water bathtub or shower fixtures. Next, open all other hot water fixtures, such as in kitchens, wet bars, etc. Run all of these hot water fixtures for 15 minutes, then shut the water off.

What do plumbers use to unblock drains?

Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

How do you unblock an internal waste pipe?

Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.

How do you unclog a drain deeply in a pipe?

How to Unblock a Clogged Drain Deep in Pipe
  1. Fill so the plunger's cup is covered with water.
  2. Seal the plunger over the drain tightly.
  3. Pump the plunger for about 20 seconds.
  4. Check if water flows. Repeat if it's still clogged.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

How do you get sludge out of a drain pipe?

Use a Natural Cleaner

The chemical reaction of the baking soda and vinegar, which has antibacterial properties, can break up the slime. If you pour in boiling water after you dump in the vinegar and baking soda combo, it will wash away any leftover slime.

What is the best chemical to unblock a sewer pipe?

Sulfuric acid might sound like an extreme chemical to dissolve a drain blockage, but it can be a very effective chemical for unclogging drains and it can melt away the most stubborn solids, oils, and grease from drain pipes within 60 minutes or less.

How do you clean sludge out of PVC pipe?

If you have a clogged PVC pipe or want to prevent your pipes from clogging, it may be time to clean the inside of your pipes. Fortunately, with a plunger or snake and some dish soap or enzyme / bacterial drain cleaner, you can easily clean most PVC type piping on your own.

Does vinegar clean drain pipes?

Vinegar may temporarily clear a minor clog or freshen up a drain, but unlike drain snaking, it doesn't offer any preventative action to keep drains clear in the long term. Clogs often form due to a buildup of materials within the pipes, and vinegar alone cannot prevent this buildup from occurring again.

How to clean blocked drainage pipe?

Vinegar, Salt, & Lemon – Mix equal parts of salt and vinegar in a bowl, add a half part of lemon juice, then pour the mixture down your drain. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes then follow it up with hot water.

How do you unblock an inside drain?

#1: Use baking soda and vinegar

Let it sit for an hour or more (or overnight if you suspect the blockage is really bad) and then flush with hot water. In theory, the blockage should be gone but repeat the process if you experience further problems.

How do you clear a main pipe blockage?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Allow any sewer buildup to come out of the drain. ...
  3. Gently feed the auger cable into the main line drain. ...
  4. Run the auger until the clog is broken up. ...
  5. Hose out leftover debris. ...
  6. Pull the auger cable back out of the main line drain.

What chemical unblocks waste pipe?

Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide, is another chemical that can help with drain cleaning and drain unblocking in any kitchen or bathroom and even in outside drains. It causes a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with organic matter in a clogged drain or slow drain.

What do plumbers do for clogged drains?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

What is the strongest chemical to unclog a drain?

The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.

How to clear PVC pipe blockage?

Boiling Water:Pouring boiling water down the drain can help break down and flush away some clogs. This is especially effective for grease or soap buildup.

How do you dissolve gunk in pipes?

How to Clean Drains with Baking Soda and Vinegar
  1. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain.
  2. Next, pour a cup of baking soda and 1 cup water/1 cup vinegar solution.
  3. Cover with the drain plug and wait 5 to 10 minutes.

How do I clean the inside of my water pipes?

How to Clean Your House Water Pipeline: A Simple and Effective Guide
  1. i. Turn Off the Water Supply. ...
  2. ii. Drain the Water. ...
  3. i. Remove Faucet Aerators and Showerheads. ...
  4. ii. Flushing the Pipes. ...
  5. i. Use a Disinfecting Solution. ...
  6. ii. Allow the Solution to Sit. ...
  7. i. Flush the Pipes. ...
  8. ii. Reinstall Faucet Aerators and Showerheads.

How do you remove sludge from drain pipes?

Let the hot water, as hot as possible, run into the drain, this softens the clog. Then add a grease removing dish liquid and keep the extreme hot water running. If that doesn't break the clog, then use the sink plunger while the hot water and dish liquid are in the drain.

Previous article
How do I find out where my gas is leaking from?
Next article
What color is timeless for oak floors?