The dreaded drain clog — every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Your drains are put to work all throughout the day – when you shower, when you wash your hands, when you brush your teeth, etc – and since they’re used so frequently, it can be pretty disheartening when you notice that they’re slowing down due to a clog.
Not only are clogged drains a nuisance, they can be pretty gross and costly to repair if not handled properly. But before you panic, some of these drain cleaning tips might help:
- Break out the plunger. The easiest plan of attack, and the best place to start, is with your trusty plunger. Sometimes, simply plunging some forced air and strong suction through your drain will help loosen the clog enough to resume water flow.
- Pour boiling water down the drain. Fill up a pot with water and let it heat up until it comes to a full boil. Once it’s done, pour the water down your drain little by little, giving the water a few seconds to work its magic before you pour again.
- Use baking soda & vinegar. Combine 1/3 of a cup of baking soda with 1/3 of a cup of vinegar, then send the fizzling mixture down your drain. The bubbling from the chemical reaction can help move the clog along.This combination of ingredients is effective for breaking up clogs, so make sure you let it sit for at least an hour. After time has passed, flush it all out using hot water.
- Use a bent wire hanger. Believe it or not, your wire coat hangers can also double as a plumbing tool! First, take your hanger and straighten it out as much as you can. Then, take one end and bend it so that it resembles a hook. Once you’re ready, send your hook down the drain and start pulling up everything that’s causing your clog – hair, gunk, etc. When you feel like you’ve gotten it all, flush with hot water.
- Make Toilet Bombs. With just a few simple ingredients – 2 cups baking soda, ¼ cup epsom salt and 9 tablespoons liquid dish detergent – you can make clog fighting toilet bombs to battle stubborn clogs. First, grab a muffin tin and line it with muffin liners. Mix the baking soda and epsom salt together in a bowl and slowly stir in the detergent, one tablespoon at a time. Scoop the mixture into the muffin liners and allow it to dry up overnight. When you have a clog, remove a bomb from its liner and place it in your toilet, along with five cups of hot water. Allow to sit for four hours, then flush away your clog!
- Reach for the snake. No, not an actual snake! A plumber’s snake, which can be used to reach deep down into your drain to pull away and dislodge the clogging culprit. Check out more information on our rooter services.
- Put down the drain cleaner. Whatever you do, avoid chemical drain cleaners at all costs! Sure, they make some pretty promises on those bottles, but the chemicals used can corrode your pipes in the long run — causing even bigger problems down the line.
- Phone a friend. Sometimes a clogged drain is too tough for even the most experienced DIY-er to handle. When that happens, it’s time to call in the pros.
Since slow draining water has the potential to do permanent damage to your home’s plumbing fixtures, you definitely want to make sure that clogs are addressed as soon as you notice them. For professional drain cleaning services in Orange County, turn to the team here at Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter. From preventative maintenance to hydro jet drain cleaning, we can handle all of your drain cleaning needs.
Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter is available to assist with plumbing emergencies 24/7/365. Just dial 714-630-8766 or contact us online!
