Clogged drains are all too common, and they often happen at the most inconvenient times. Before you toss that liquid or item down the drain, think twice about the consequences of your actions. In the worst case scenarios, you may be encounter the issue of a frustratingly clogged drain, and the problem cannot be solved unless you contact a plumber for help.
Even though this is a tricky issue, rest assured that there are many simple ways of tackling a clogged drain. Whether it is hair, food scraps, oil, or any large debris that is the issue, your clogged drains can be cleared with a little science and plumbing knowledge. Here are the six best ways to clear a clogged drain:
1. Plunger
A plunger is your best friend when it comes to unclogging a pesky drain, as it helps draw out the offending debris. The best part is that nowadays, plungers come in all shapes and sizes, so that you don’t need to use the traditional bulky ones.
There are plungers available that can be used for a variety of drains, and that are compact-sized and easy to store. In order to ensure that you always have an easy drain de-clogging solution, invest in a versatile and easy to use plunger.
2. Pot of Water
Not many people are aware that hot water is a wonderful solution to a clogged drain. The best part is that a pot of hot water is entirely chemical-free, and does not require any advance preparation before use. This is a very convenient initial option.
Once you realize your drain is clogged, boil a pot of water and pour the hot water down the drain. Be aware that for more stubborn clogs, you may need to do this process several times.
3. Plumbing Snake
A “snake” is a long metal device which is used to help clear debris from a clogged drain. It does this through insertion into the pipe and once it is rotated, it is able to dislodge any problematic blockages. This tool is ideal for very extensive blockages that you can’t clear with various chemical solutions and in-house concoctions.
If you don’t have a drain snake on hand, do not fear. You can make your own! Find a thin metal wire hanger in your home and unravel it. Afterwards, slowly push the hanger down the clogged drain. As you are pushing it down, rotate it to both sides, and pull it up slowly. Once you pull it up, you can inspect whether it was able to remove any of the debris. If not, you may need to repeat this process several times until you are successful.
4. Vinegar and Baking Soda
An effective drain de-clogging mixture is baking soda and vinegar. Indeed, this mixture is so strong, that it often works more effectively than any store bought chemicals. The best part is that you can find all of these ingredients at home, and it takes no effort to prepare.
To get started, pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain. Following that, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Once this occurs, you will see (and hear!) the baking soda sizzle. Although it looks alarming, it is perfectly safe and normal. In fact, the sizzle signals that it is working!
If the blockage does not clear after the first try, you may consider running it again. This mixture will not harm your drains whatsoever.
5. Over-the-Counter Solution
If you are under a time crunch or you simply don’t want to bother with homemade solutions, that’s okay too! You can go to any store that is convenient for you, and grab over the counter drain de-clogging solutions.
Most of these products consist of strong chemicals that easily dissolve debris such as hair, oil, and toothpaste, and so they are undoubtedly quite strong. Therefore, if you plan on using these products, it is recommended that you air out the area for some time. If you plan on using chemical products for your drains, you should also consider removing children and pets from that area. The fumes alone can be quite overwhelming.
6. Careful Disposal
Although this is a longer-term solution for de-clogging drains, it is one that you should consider. Indeed, it is important to evaluate your drain disposal habits so that you avoid clogs in the future. The best way to ensure that you are not dealing with clogged drains often, is to dispose of certain liquids such as toothpaste, oil and sauces in a garbage can. This disposal will ensure that you avoid putting clogging materials into your drains.
