Drain Unclogging Tips Are Gold
A clogged drain is enough to ruin your day. There is nothing worse then having to take a shower in ankle-high water because the shower drain won’t clear. And unclogging drains at home can be tricky! Yes, we know you’re not a professional plumber, so we put together this great at-home guide to unclogging your drains. Here are some of the best tips below…
1. Use Boiling Water
Did you know that pouring boiling water down your drain can be a great method to clean the clog? Try boiling 3-4 jugs of boiling water, and start by pouring the water down the drain – one jug at a time. Hopefully, this method will help to break-up the debris clogging your drain. If not, then move on to number 2…
2. Use Caustic Soda (with Safety)
BEWARE! This technique requires safety goggles and rubber gloves because Sodium Hydroxide can be dangerous to the touch! First, take 4 gallons of water in a mop bucket and mix a 4 cups of caustic soda to the water. Be sure to use a wooden spoon or other item when stirring the mixture and do not breathe in the fumes. After it is mixed, pour some down your clogged drain and follow it up with boiling water.
3. Salt and Baking Soda
This DIY drain clearing technique is very old. In fact, it has been used since the invention of baking soda! For this method, use 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and 4 tablespoons of boiling water. Pour this combo down your drain with the blockage and let it sit for 20 minutes.
4. Use a Drain Snake
A drain snake is a great way of unclogging a blockage in your pipes. Drain snakes are for sale at Home Depot and are pretty self-explanatory. If you have never used a snake, check out this great YouTube video here on how to use a drain snake. Be careful when using the snake and try to get to the drain blockage.
5. Use Dish Detergent
Take 1/2 cup of dish detergent and add boiling water to it. Then, pour the mixture down your clogged pipe. Use a plunger around the drain to create suction in the drain. This combination of detergent and water can help to break-up the debris causing the clog and the back-pressure from the plunger could help to clear it.
6. Use a Wrench
So, this last tip is not for the faint of heart. We will be opening up the pipe and cleaning out the blockage. First, place an empty bucket beneath your sink’s drain pipe to collect any water that might spill. Open up a pipe using a wrench and by loosening the slip nuts. Not sure how? Here is a great YouTube video on how to open a drain pipe. After you have the pipe open, clean out the debris causing the blockage and close it back up!
Sometimes, these at-home plumbing tips are just not enough to clean the drain. If this is the case for you, you can call us 24/7 for any of your drain clog issues. We will send a certified, experienced plumber to clear your clog and get your drains flushing properly again! We service all of Orange County including Brea, Irvine, Newport Coast, Laguna Niguel, and more! Call us now 949-393-0933!
Slab Leaks: A True Plumbing Emergency
Home building following World War II was aggressive, so many houses were built on cement foundations to reduce the time it took to build them and to keep costs at a minimum. They were
How To Extend The Life Of Plumbing Pipes
A plumbing system consists of a complicated series of pipes, fixtures, and appliances that provide the infrastructure to run a well-functioning home. In this article, we will focus solely on plumbing pipes and ways
3 Silent Signs You Have A Plumbing Problem
Some plumbing issues announce themselves with a fury such as a drain backing up with sewage or a burst pipe, while others remain silent and destructive. In this article, we will reveal 3 signs