It could be time to check the condition of your drain if you have a backed-up kitchen sink, standing water that accumulates during showers, a bathtub that takes forever to empty, or a standard blocked toilet. Clogs need to be removed right away, but you don’t have to stop living your life to do so. No matter what occurs, follow the steps below.
WHY CLOGS HAPPEN
Drains that are clogged drain slowly. When debris builds up in drains over time, they become slower.
Hair clumps are the most frequent cause of clogged shower drains, while a buildup of toilet paper can cause clogs in unruly toilets. Large food particles in the trash disposal or persistent buildup farther along in the pipes are typically the culprits for kitchen sink clogs.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DRAIN IS CLOGGED
Unclogging a drain is necessary when:
- The bathroom sink won’t flush
- The draining of the shower, bathtub, or bathroom sink takes longer than usual.
- There’s a strange smell there that you can’t find.
- Water with dirt has flooded the kitchen sink, and running the garbage disposal has little to no impact.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR DRAIN MAY BE CLOGGED
First things first: look for a clear clog in your drain. Look into the drain to see what sort of clog you have (this might mean underneath a drain cap, like in a bathroom sink). A flashlight can be used if necessary. Anything you observe that could be clogging the drain should be removed. For shallow jams, unfolded paper clips or the little plastic hooks available at hardware stores are very helpful.
Next, make sure your drain is open once more. Is there enough area for water to flow in the pipe? Depending on the drain and stopper you have, you may verify this in one of two ways: A stopper that you can loosen and entirely take out of some drains is available.
A switch that opens and closes the drain is frequently seen under the faucet on bathtub-showers. Check to see if your drain has any kind of stopper and make sure it isn’t unintentionally blocked by the stopper.
If water isn’t draining after you’ve cleared any obvious clogs and made sure the drain is open, it’s time to unclog.
HOW TO UNCLOG A DRAIN IN 7 WAYS
Remove the clog by hand
A clog is sometimes readily evident at the surface and easily accessible. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and do your best to dislodge the blockage. A wire coat hanger can also be used for increased reach and leverage.
Use A Plunger
Plungers aren’t just for blocked toilets; they may also be used to unclog kitchen sinks. A cup-style plunger that completely covers the drain hole to establish a tight seal will provide the best suction. Maintain the seal by making 6 even, up-and-down thrusts. Take out the plunger: You’ve made progress if the water drains away. If not, repeat the procedure.
Clean The Drain Trap By Removing It
The drain trap, also known as a U-pipe, which is situated underneath the trash disposal under the sink, might occasionally have a clog in it. Place a bucket underneath the U-pipe to capture any runoff after clearing the area. While keeping the pipe stable with the other hand, unscrew the nuts on either side of it with a plumber’s wrench. Fill the bucket with the pipe’s contents, then check for clogs. When done, clean the U-pipe and reconnect it.
Use a drain snake
A drain snake, often known as a plumber’s snake, is a retractable, flexible drilling instrument available at home improvement stores. Using the snake’s hand crank, you’ll shoot a metal wire down the drain to either break up or take out whatever is obstructing it. There are also disposable plastic snakes available, which require no cranking and may even be used to unclog a clogged toilet. After using your drain snake, be sure you clean it.
Use A Kettle Of Hot Water
Boiling water can help break down softer build-up like soap scum or cooking grease at the edges of the drain if there are no obvious blockages stopping it and a drain snake hasn’t worked. If necessary, carry out the procedure two or three times.
Make Use Of An Organic Drain Cleaner
Traditional drain cleaners include a lot of dangerous chemicals and frequently don’t perform as effectively as they claim to. Depending on how bad the blockage is, a natural cure using white distilled vinegar and baking soda may work just as well. Add 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar to the drain. Use a drain stopper or cloth to plug the drain and give the combination at least an hour to work its magic. Use hot water to rinse. Repeat as required.
Call A Plumber
It’s necessary to call a professional if none of the above measures have made a difference in the speed of the drain. Simply Call The Family Plumber for all your plumbing needs.
