As you wash your hands after a long day at work or run a load of laundry after your child’s baseball game, you expect the wastewater to flow down your drain and away from your house. Drains are an essential part of your household that you often forget about until something goes wrong.
Drain clogs are always frustrating, and they can even be messy or dangerous, depending on the specific drain. Let’s explore how to unclog a drain using some simple supplies at home.
Kitchen Drain Clogs
Kitchen drains put up with a lot. Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, food particles wind up in your kitchen sink drain as you wash dishes and prepare meals.
Over time, these particles build up and can lead to a serious clog. Grease and oil can also be troublesome, so avoid pouring liquified grease into your drains to prevent blockages.
Bathroom Drain Clogs
Bathrooms are one of the most used spaces in a family home, so clogs are common in bathroom sinks and shower drains. A buildup of hair is one of the most common causes of bathroom drain clogs. Soap scum can also build up along your drain, slowing water flow and corroding your pipes.
How Do You Get Rid of a Clog?
Be very careful if you are going to attempt to unclog a drain yourself. Check the area thoroughly to make sure there are no hidden hazards like sharp objects or small spaces that your hands or fingers could get stuck in while you work.
To start, if you see a visible obstruction, remove it carefully and use a flashlight to ensure you removed the entire blockage. If you can’t see the reason for the clog, try using a drain snake. This long, toothed tool is a great way to pull out flexible obstructions like hair.
If you still aren’t finding success, concoct a homemade drain cleaner to pour down the affected drain. Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain and then follow that with one cup of vinegar. Seal your drain with your stopper if you can, and wait about an hour to see if the mixture breaks down the clog itself.
After the hour is up, run boiling water down your drain to wash away the remnants of the cleaner and the clog. If you’re still struggling with a clogged drain after all of that, then it’s time to call in a professional.
Utilizing a Professional Plumber To Unclog a Drain
Not all drain clogs are easy fixes, which is why relying on a professional plumber is essential. If you aren’t careful, you can do more harm than good to your drain lines while trying to clear the clog.
You can even make the clog worse in your DIY attempts or cause further damage. A professional plumber has the tools and plumbing knowledge to assess the situation, clear the clog, and offer tips to prevent it from happening again.
Are you ready to unclog a drain in your home? Call HomeX Plumbing & Rooter today at (714) 426-9207.
