4 Reliable Ways to Unclog a Drain
As a homeowner, you may experience a clogged drain from time to time. This can happen in the shower of your en suite bathroom, the sink in your kitchen, or any other drainage system throughout your property. The first sign that a drain is clogged will be the obvious stagnating water. If you don’t notice that at first, you may experience a not-disturbingly gross/wet smell. Yikes! What can you do to unclog a drain? The only direction this could go from such an onset is down the drain. If not properly treated, a drain can only get worse unless you get extremely lucky. A clogged drain should be unclogged as soon as possible.
Here, we unveil 4 effective methods that you can use to unclog your drain at home.
Bent Wire or Snake
A cheap way to initially try unclogging your drain is to use a bent wire. This can be macgyvered by unwrapping a write clothes hanger. Of course, please be careful and only try this method under supervision. Aside from wire, you can also purchase a drain snake. This of course requires you to invest in the item yourself. Snakes don’t always last after a few uses, so make sure to give it your all when attempting to unclog your drain. Follow these steps:
- Place the snake or wire down the drain
- Push it down several inches as far as the drain initially lets you
- Twist and pull back and forth to break up hair clumps and soap scum
What you will find that comes out might not be pretty. It’s not always a glamorous job to be a homeowner!
Use a Plunger
A plunger can be used to unclog different drains in your home. You can use a sink plunger for the sinks, a toilet flange plunger for the toilet. For the sinks, consider using a smaller plunger that is separate from the plunger designated for the toilet. This is also for hygiene purposes.
It helps to unclog drains by clearing clogs that are a bit further away from the surface. They come in various forms performing different functions. For sinks, you may need to fill it with some water and plunge quickly then pull it from the drain, repeatedly until the clog opens up. There are electric plungers you can find on hire to unclog a very difficult clog. Because this one is a powerful machine, you will need instructions on how to use it as well as safety tips.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
These two have components that break down clogs. The other variation for this is baking soda and salt. White vinegar can be used for a variety of different cleaning and cleansing purposes around your house. Follow these steps:
- Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar and pour it into the clogged drain
- Let it sit for 15 minutes
- In the meantime, boil water, which you will pour into the drain
The combination of baking soda and vinegar or baking soda and salt plus hot water helps loosen drain clogs. You’ll be back to use your sink and shower in no time!
Clean the Drain Trap
The clog may be due to blockage in the sink trap or P-trap, which is removable. When you remove the sink trap, place a bucket underneath the sink to collect any water. This is in case you open the tap and gunky liquid comes out that was inside the trap. After you clean the P-trap and rid it of every substance collected in it make sure you securely fix it back and ensure all spaces are locked. To wrap the cleaning up you can pour hot water in the sink so that it flows through the pipes to clear out any remaining debris.
How to Fix Reoccurring Drain Clogs?
At the end of the day, drains are difficult to maintain. There are also very hairy human beings that have a tendency to clog drains more frequently. If your property is older, it may be time for an upgrade. Consider redesigning your bathroom, which you can do on a budget. During this process, you can add new plumbing, sinks, and vanities. This way, your new bathroom setup will be more equipped to handle things that may end up down the drain.
Conclusion
Owning real estate can be tiring! There are many things to maintain, such as drains and plumbing. After the kids move out, many people consider downsizing. Contact us today to learn more about how to sell your house quickly. Our team can provide you with the real estate knowledge that can help you take that next step whatever it may be!