It’s always really annoying when you have to deal with clogged drains at your home, but this is a plumbing issue that we all have to face from time to time.
Drain clogs can be caused by all sorts of mishaps and issues that commonly occur within residential plumbing systems, but no matter what causes a clog, it’s important to get it addressed as soon as possible.
Below we’ll be detailing five different DIY tactics that you can keep in mind when you have clogged drains, but just remember that DIY plumbing can be inherently risky and that your professional plumbing team should be ready to go when you feel like you’re getting over your head!
Boiling A Drain Clog Away
This DIY method is sometimes useful for moderately clogged drains, because hot water can break down all sorts of gunk and residue that commonly builds up within our drains.
The trick with this strategy is to make sure you’re not pouring boiling water down your drains, but rather very hot water that was previously boiling hot. You’ll also want to increment this hot water to about 2-3 cups with each pour. Let the hot water get down into the clogged drain and work its magic, and then pour a little bit more until you slowly but surely see improvements.
It’s important to remember that this DIY strategy isn’t likely to get the job done when you have a fully stopped drain, so this is only a decent tactic when you’re dealing with abnormally slow drains.
DIY Drain Cleaning Solutions
A lot of clogged drains in kitchens are the result of grease buildup, and your dish soap can be repurposed into a drain cleaning solution to help cut through this tough grease.
What you’ll do is squeeze out about a few tablespoons of dish soap and let it go straight into your clogged drain. You’ll then let the dish soap sit within the pipes and allow it to break down the clog as much as it can, until pouring hot water down the drains to help fully clear the clog.
You could also try a similar DIY solution that entails baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and dish soap. The baking soda and vinegar will create that classic, volcano-like chemical reaction, which is why this solution will require you to use a drain plug to keep the solution in your pipes.
But with just a little bit of ingenuity and hot water, these DIY drain cleaning solutions can be incredibly effective!
Try Your Trusty Plunger
If the above tricks aren’t getting the job done, you may need to use your plunger to clear out the clogged drain. Just be sure that you’re using a plunger that’s specifically for sinks, because these will create the proper type of suction you’re going to need.
Also, make sure you’re slightly filling up your sink with water to help your plunger get even more suction.
Drain Snakes
A lot of people think that drain snakes are only used by professional plumbers, but you technically can purchase these types of products at just about any hardware store. Drain snakes are a good option when the above techniques aren’t unclogging the drain, because snakes can eliminate even the peskiest of clogs!
What you’ll do is slowly feed the snake into your drain about a few inches at a time, until you reach the blockage. The snake should more than likely break through the blockage, which you’ll feel, and then you’ll simply pull it back out.
Be sure to repeat this process until you’re able to put the entire snake into your drain without any issues, and then run hot water down the drain to flush everything out for good!
Call A Professional Plumber
If the above options aren’t unclogging your drain, then you unfortunately have a very serious plumbing issue on your hands. There’s only so much you can do as an amateur DIYer, which is why it’s a good thing that professional plumbers are always waiting for your call.
Be sure to put particularly pesky drain clogs in professional hands, because doing too much on your own can potentially cause even worse issues for you and your plumbing system later on!
Contact The Plumbing Experts At DG Plumbing When You Have Clogged Drains!
DIY plumbing has become incredibly popular in recent years, but there are simply too many risks involved in this type of work for most people. When you hire a professional plumbing team, you can have peace of mind knowing that their insurance coverage will protect you just in case anything goes wrong.
Check out the link at the top of the page to speak with the DG Plumbing team today about your clogged drains!