UPDATED 1/20/21
It’s always frustrating to find that you have a clogged drain. This nuisance can cause a water backup, a huge mess, and a gross smell. You quickly find yourself looking online for ideas, searching things like kitchen sink water not draining, how to unclog stubborn drain, or kitchen sink will not unclog. Calling a plumber can be costly, so it’s best to understand how to unstop a drain yourself. By keeping this knowledge and the right tools available, you can save yourself some frustrations and money. A couple of tools to keep on hand are a plunger and a snake. Some other things to keep in your home are baking soda, vinegar and drain cleaners. In the case that none of these options work, it might be time to call in a professional for a diagnosis. The problem could be more complicated than meets the eye. Read on to discover how to best use these tools and substances to try to unclog your drain yourself before calling in a professional.
Clogged drains are something that every homeowner will deal with at some point in time. Removing clogs from your drains is important as caring for your pipes. Fixing small leaks can save homeowners as much as 10% on their water bills, and keeping your drains free from debris and functioning properly will save you money repairing broken pipes. A crack approximately one eighth of an inch can spew more than 250 gallons of water per day. This can cause substantial damage to floors and appliances.
Start With Your Plunger
The first thing you should try when you notice a clogged drain is a good old plunge. A plunger is a relatively inexpensive tool that most households already have. Majority of minor drain clogs can be remedied with a good plunging.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners purchased from your local store can help unclog drain pipes. This solution works especially well clogs that are not affected with a plunger. Make sure you read and follow all instructions when using chemical drain cleaners. Some chemicals are harmful to plastic pipes and garbage disposals. Use these chemicals sparingly. Repeated use causes damage to your pipes. In some plumbing systems, roughly 30% of the water pipes range from 40 to 80 years old. You don’t want to chemically damage already old and worn pipes.
Natural Power
A simple solution of baking soda and vinegar can unclog drains and remove odors left behind by clogs. Pour one half cup of baking soda into your drain. Follow the baking soda with one half cup of vinegar. Pour boiling hot water down the drain once the bubbles die down some. The reaction of the baking soda and vinegar help to remove blogs and do not cause damage to your plumbing or your pipes.
Use a Snake
A snake can be bought or rented. A mechanical snake can be threaded down the drain to manually push clogs out of the way so your drain works properly. Mechanical snakes are especially useful on clogs affecting your home’s main drain to the sewer.
Call the Professionals
After a few attempts to unclog drains, it may be time to call a plumbing repair company to perform a plumbing diagnosis. If you find that you are using a mechanical snake or chemical cleaners more and more, then you may benefit from a plumbing diagnosis from residential plumbing services. Excess force used on drains in your home can cause permanent and expensive damage to your pipes and your fixtures.
Keep your pipes in working order and if problems arise, don?t hesitate to call a professional. Relying on professionals to perform a plumbing diagnosis and allowing them to correct the problem may cost a little, but leaving the problem to get worse can cost significantly more down the road. A clogged drain here or there is a normal situation, but repeated clogged drains could signify a bigger problem that needs expert attention.