Clogged drains are some of the most common plumbing issues that a homeowner faces. These affect showers, bathtubs, and sinks—anything that has a drainage pipe that can get a blockage due to overuse. You’ll notice this issue when wastewater either drains slowly or isn’t draining at all!
When you leave a clogged drain untreated, it’s possible for the water to remain on the surface and will continue to fill up in the affected area more each time you turn on the faucet or shower. As a result, a flood will ensue—and your bathroom and kitchen will become off-limits until you call an emergency plumber to come to the rescue.
While the ideal thing to do is to call a plumbing contractor to handle your drainage problem, there are still a few things you can do to try dealing with the clog on your own. Keep reading below to find out some valuable ways to remedy a problematic drain.
Use a Standard Bathroom Plunger
The first piece of equipment you can use to fix a clogged drain is a plunger. If you don’t happen to have one around the house already, there are plenty of plungers you can go out and buy, and all offer similar benefits.
When working with a plunger to unblock a drain, you have to ensure that you can insert the plunger entirely underwater before you begin applying a push-and-pull motion. You should keep a tight seal in place to get the maximum benefit from your effort.
Apply Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar work as a drain cleaning solution for any of your blocked drains. Before you pour these products in there, you have to be sure that the water from the drain isn’t overflowing and has receded for some time.
Once the water level has fallen, you can then pour half a box of baking soda into the drain before you add half a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain with a rag or stopper as soon as you pour them in. By doing that, you’re putting pressure into the clogged drain to try and remove the blockage via the chemical reaction. If it doesn’t work completely after thirty minutes, you should follow up by pouring hot water into the drain.
Pour Hot Water in the Drain
Pouring boiling water is another simple method to unclog your drain, but remember to take extra caution when handling it because it could lead to injuries if you aren’t careful. The solution is usually best done for kitchen sinks because it’s the place that gets blocked by organic matter and fats from food waste and the cooking implements you tend to wash.
While the hot water won’t work to fix your pipes entirely, it can eliminate the fats that have been building up in your lines. However, you must avoid splashing hot water onto porcelain sinks or PVC drains because these aren’t built to stand scorching hot temperatures.
Utilize a Bent Wire Hanger
If you have any old wire hangers lying around, you can grab one and use it to dislodge your shower or bathtub drains that are filled with hair and other troublesome grime. You should first straighten the hanger out and form a small hook on the end for optimal use.
When using a bent wire hire hanger to remove the gunk from your drain, remember to do so carefully in order to avoid damaging any worn-out pipe flanges or traps. Move the hanger up and down the drain to gather the filth that’s been causing the clog.
Conclusion
These are some of the most simple DIY methods you can follow in order to clear out a blocked drainage. However, if the situation involves deeper plumbing issues that require repairs or a replacement, you will need to call a professional plumber for help.
Are you looking for an emergency plumber in Longview to help manage your drainage problems? ServiceProz is a top-rated plumbing company with professional solutions for all your home’s plumbing issues. Get in touch with us today to request service! You can reach us at (903) 212-7769 or you can request service online.
