How to Clean Residential Drainage Pipes

The drains in your home can be cleaned with chlorine bleach.

Debris and residue can build up in the drainage pipes of your home, which may cause them to drain slowly or become clogged. A regular maintenance routine will keep your pipes clean and flowing freely, which will help you to avoid expensive plumber bills and any health hazards associated with stagnant water. There are a variety of chemicals that can be used to clean drains, but the most effective is chlorine bleach.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup chlorine bleach
• 1 gallon hot water

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup of chlorine bleach into the drains that you wish to clean

2. Allow the bleach to sit in the drain for at least eight hours.

3. Pour 1 gallon of hot water into the drain to flush out any debris as well as any excess bleach residue.

Tips & Warnings

• A mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to chlorine bleach.

• Make sure that there isn't a threat of rain for at least eight hours when cleaning outdoor drains and gutters.

References

• Ask the Builder; Household Drain Clogs; Tim Carter
• Drain Cleaning: Drainage and Drainage Blockage Can Be Extremely Unsafe to Your Health
• The Bryan Times; Bleach Won't Damage the Plumbing; Heloise Bowles; October 1993