Sometimes the cause of a clogged drain may be an accumulation of soap scum and hair. A slow drain could be a sign of a clog. While you may be able to unclog the drain yourself, the stubborn clog can cause damage to your pipes. These are some ways to unclog a drain.
1. Boil water
Pour boiling water down your drain to clean it. This will help to break up any grease or soap that’s causing the clog. Be careful to not burn yourself.
2. Vinegar and baking soda are great options
If you don’t have any boiling water on hand, you can try using a combination of vinegar and baking soda. You can pour 1/2 cup baking soda down your drain and then add 1/2 cup vinegar. To stop the mixture from escaping, cover the drain with a lid or a bowl. It should sit for 30 minutes. Then flush the mixture with hot water.
3. Use dish soap
To break down grease or any other material that may be clogging your drain, dish soap is also an option. After pouring a large amount of soap down your drain, let it rest for about 15-20 minutes and then flush it with hot water.
4. Use a plunger
You can push through a clog with a plunger. Pour hot water down the drain first to loosen it. Next, put the plunger on the drain and push it down and up. You should use enough force to allow the plunger to do its job.
5. Use a plumber’s snake
If a plunger isn’t doing the trick, you might need to use a plumber’s snake. The plumber’s snake is a flexible, long-lasting metal piece that you can use to dig into your drain to remove the blockage. Simply insert the snake in the drain, and then twist the handle until the clog begins to release.
6. You can use a dry/wet vacuum
A wet/dry vacuum can be used to clear the drain. Just make sure you seal the vacuum tightly around the drain so you don’t make a mess.
7. Salt and baking soda can be used
You can use baking soda with salt to break up a hard clog. The combination of baking soda and salt will cause a chemical reaction which can break down the blockage.
8. Use hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to dissolve clogs. You should be cautious not to inhale it.
If you’ve tried all of these methods and the clog is still not budging, it’s time to call in a professional. The team will quickly remove the blockage without causing damage to your pipes.
Now that you know some of the ways to unclog a drain, you’ll be prepared the next time your sink starts to back up. Just remember to take caution so you don’t end up damaging your pipes.