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A blocked drain is one of the most common and frustrating plumbing issues every homeowner is concerned about. Unfortunately, a blocked drain may stilloccur despite giving them the utmost care. Small items can be flushed down the drain accidentally and clog your sink. And as time progresses, grease, food particles, and other items can build up and block your kitchen drain.
Fortunately, there are various methods you can use to help you unblockdrains at home. Read more below for some tips to consider.
1. Pour Hot Water
Pouring hot water is perhaps one of the easiest and most cost-effective DIY methods to help address minor clogged drains. This is a common approach formost homeowners, as it’s highly accessible, especially since no special materials areinvolved in the process.
Hot water can be ideal for unclogging blocked drains caused by fatand greasein your kitchen sink. It can also be used to unclog your sink or shower drains blocked by soap residue, cosmetic and hygiene products, and hair.
To effectively unclog your drains, hot water coming from your faucet may not be enough; you’ll need boiling water. The process is generally easy, you’ll only need to boil water in a kettle or pot and pour it down your drain, and within no time, the gunk will melt away. However, note that this method isonly applicable if your home has metal pipes, as the hot water can cause damage to plastic or PVC pipes. Also, when pouring hot water, ensure it goes directly to the drain, as hot water can cause cracks in your porcelain sink.
2. Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
Using vinegar and baking soda is another commonly used method to unclog a blocked drain. Mixing these two kitchen staples can help loosen orbreak down blockage buildups and clean your drains naturally.All that’s required of you is to pour hot water down the drain, take equal amounts of vinegar and baking soda, and follow it down the drain.
Once that’s done, cover your drain and let the mixture sit for about 5to 10 minutes, and then add more hot water to flush and rinse out the mixture. This method is ideal for unclogging blocked kitchen sinks, where fat and grease build-up typically blocks your home’s pipes.
3. Use A Drain Snake Or Bent Wire
Debris, such as dirt, skin, hair, and food particles, are common culprits for the clogged drain in your homeas they tend to bind to soap scum on the drain pipe. And as time progresses, this gunk will slow down your water flow.
Fortunately, you can get rid of such gunk using a drain snake. Snaking a drain is typically an easy process.You’ll need to feed this tool down the drain to remove any materials blocking your pipe. On the other hand, you can also go use a regular hanger to unblock your drains. To use this, straighten it and create a hook shape at the end. From there, push the hook side down your drain and fish out the gunk obstructing your drains.
However, when doing this, avoid pushing such tools downwards, as they can push the gunk even further, making it hard to unclog your drain. Instead, consider using gentle hooking and prodding motions to dislodge and remove the debris blocking your drain.
4. Use Plungers
Another simple yet effective tool every homeowner should have is a plunger. Plungers are ideal for unclogging blocked various drainage systems without the need for a plumber. Plungers work by creating a seal around a plug hole and a vacuum effect that can help remove the blockage with minimum pressure.
And suppose none of the DIY methods mentioned above gave you desired results in unclogging your drainage system. Using a plunger may be an ideal solution.However, different drain plungers are available in the market. For one, there are plungers best used for toilets, large pipes, and sinks.
When To Contact A Plumbing Professional
For minor clogged drain issues, DIY methods may work. However, in more significant cases, like recurring blocked drains or suppose the usage of plungers isn’t working properly, calling professional help may be ideal.
Aside from clearing drain blockage, plumbers can also inspect your home’s plumbing system and determine the root of the problem.Some service providers can also include maintenance routines as part of their offers. You can avail of this to ensure your home’s plumbing remains efficient.
Takeaway
A blocked drain is one of the most common plumbing issues.Failure to address this issue can easily cause homeowners inconvenience, from slow sinking drains to the awful smell of stagnant water. To help you manage this problem, you may consider implementing the tips discussed in this article.
But an important tip to remember is when unclogging your drainage system, always startwith the easiest and most gentle solution to avoid damaging your pipes. Also, don’t hesitate to call a plumber in your area to have your plumbing system professionally serviced.
