When you have a drain that gets clogged up, it can cause a lot of problems for your home. A clogged drain often leads to the drain backing up and flooding the room. A clog deep enough in the system may lead to all pipes in house clogged. If you have all drains clogged, you need to hire a plumber to take care of the clog. It can cause serious damage to your home, and the plumber will be able to find the clog and remove it no matter how deep it is. Trying to use a plumbing snake on your own can lead to the pipes being damaged.
Clogged drains often clog up slowly over time. This can eventually lead to all drains in house backing up. With all sinks and toilets not draining, it becomes a major inconvenience for everyone in the household as well as having a lot of potential to cause damage to the home. If you frequent get clogs, you might talk to the plumber about a regular drain-cleaning service. This would allow enzymes to eat into the clogs before they get too big and start to block the drains and cause flooding.
Nearly everyone has had to deal with a plumbing problem. Indoor plumbing has certainly come a long way since its invention in 2500 B.C. That being said, many people still regularly deal with the problem of clogged drains. If this happens, you’re likely dealing with a clogging problem. Fortunately, there are relatively simple plumbing repairs that can remedy this situation. Considering that, here are four simple ways to take care of clogged drains.
- Mixing Vinegar and Baking Soda
You’ll probably remember building a homemade volcano as a science project. In order to simulate the volcanic reaction, you’ll typically use baking soda and vinegar. You might not know that this same mixture works well for cleaning clogged drains. In order to do this, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar into a large cup. It’s important to note this fizzing reaction happens almost instantly. Considering that, you’ll want to stand directly over the sink and pour this mixture down your drain immediately. - Using a Coat Hanger
In some cases, the simplest solutions are the most effective. With that in mind, try using a coat hanger to dislodge what is causing drain clogs. Many clogs result from grease and oil building up in your drain pipes. In fact, statistics show that fat, grease, and oil buildups cause nearly 47% of all sewer overflows occurring in the United States annually. If you’re wanting to try this method, you’ll want to straighten a coat hanger. After this, begin to fish around the drain that’s causing the problem. Be warned, you’ll likely pull up rather disgusting clumps of hair and grease. Therefore, it’s best to wear rubber gloves and have a trashcan nearby. - Removing the Pipe Underneath Your Sink
If the above methods aren’t working, it’s time to consider cleaning your sink pipe. This main pipe resides underneath your sink, transporting water out of the home. Unfortunately, trying to dislodge clogs sometimes pushes them further down. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional plumber in order to complete this task. First, you’ll want to set down an empty bucket below your sink. This bucket will contain any water that is stuck in the pipe. Next, loosen the nuts connecting the pipe to your sink. After the pipe is removed, thoroughly clean it with a drain snake, toothbrush, or hanger. - Boiling Water to Pour Down the Drain
Another simple solution to fixed clogged drains is to fill them with boiling water. It’s important to avoid filling your pan with too much liquid. Spilling boiling hot water is extremely dangerous. After your water is boiled, slowly pour it down the drain. This is also beneficial for killing drain flies, pests known to reside in clogged drains.
In closing, there are several simple ways to take care of clogged drains. If you’re unable to take care of this problem, it might be time to contact a plumber. These professionals can take care of plumbing repairs that might require the use of special equipment. Many homes utilize septic tanks, items that should be inspected at least once every three years. In addition, contacting a plumber ensures that plumbing repairs are performed in a fast and efficient manner. This helps you to avoid immense amounts of time and effort.
