You’re in a panic. Your drain is clogged, and not a single drop of water will go down. You don’t know what to do or whose help to call, so you wait it out. You ignore the problem hoping that it will go away on its own. It’s likely that it won’t, so you must learn some tactics to help unclog the drain before any real damage is done.
If you’re dealing with a clogged drain in your home, you must start thinking about how best to unclog it before it gets worse. Luckily, there are several excellent methods to unclog a drain that has backed up and isn’t able to flush the water out of it. Here are some of the best methods to unclog drains that actually work:
1. Use a plunger
This is one of the most commonly used methods to unclog a drain that is backed up. All you need is a standard plunger, preferably the type with an accordion-shaped cup on the end.
Make sure to place the plunger over the drain so that it forms a tight seal, and then work it up and down at a rapid pace. This should help force the drain open and eliminate any buildup that may be blocking it.
Plungers are something that every home needs to have. If you don’t have one, go out and buy one right away. You never know when you’ll need it.
2. Try a homemade drain cleaner
Another excellent method to help unclog a drain is a homemade drain cleaner. These can be made with ingredients you likely already have in your home, such as baking soda and vinegar.
Simply pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Cover with a cloth or food wrap and let sit for about 15 minutes before flushing the drain with hot water. The combination of these two ingredients should be able to dissolve any grease or grime that may have built up over time.
3. Use a liquid designed to unblock drains
If you find that your blockage is too severe or need to help speed up the process, try using drain unblocker liquid. The way this works is simple.
The liquid’s ingredients help break down any buildup that may be causing the problem, allowing you to remove it through regular flushing.
There are many different options out there for drain unblockers, so choose the one that is best for your needs.
4. Go super strong if you have to
Not all drain blockers are created equal. If you have a stubborn clog, you’ll need to use a more powerful drain unblocker. This means that you may need to spend a little more money on your solution, but it will be worth it.
Most of these products are sold in liquid or granular form, depending on whether you want to pour them down the drain or let them sit before flushing. However they are made, they will help to dissolve any blockage that may be causing your problem.
5. Pour boiling water down the drain
Some of you might be surprised to learn that one of the most effective ways to unclog a drain is simply by pouring boiling water down it. This is a great option if you have some time on your hands.
Just boil up a kettle of water, pour it down the drain, and then let it sit for about 10 minutes before flushing. This will help to dissolve any buildup and should keep your drain flowing freely for a long time.
You can pour hot water down the drain daily as a method of preventative maintenance to help keep your drains unclogged. The best thing is that this will cost you nothing!
6. Run a snake down your drain
Most of you probably have no idea how to use a snake, but some of you might need to. If your clog is too severe, you may need to use a snake in order to unclog it as best as possible.
Snakes are devices designed to work down the drain and help break up any clogs that might be causing you problems. You can buy one and learn how to use it, or you can call a professional who will know exactly what to do with this tool.
7. Remove the drain trap
Many people don’t realize that the drain pipe has a little trap near where it meets the sink. This trap is designed to catch small pieces of debris that might make their way down the drain and just sit there.
Just unscrew the dip in this trap and use a small wire brush to clean it out. You should also do this below the trap as well to get any debris that might be sitting there. This will help to prevent clogs in the future.
8. Call in a professional
If none of these methods work, it may be time to call in a professional. Depending on the severity of your clog, you may need a plumber to come in and help.
A plumber will know exactly what to do and can often have your clog fixed in a matter of minutes. Just be careful not to call one too quickly – if your clog is simple, they might charge you too much for their time!
Conclusion
As you can see, many different methods will help you to unclog a drain. The most important thing is that you don’t lose hope and take action when necessary. The process should be straightforward and easy if you follow the methods above.
Prevention is the number one way to avoid clogs in the future, so take care of your pipes, so they don’t become clogged in the first place. However, if you find yourself in this situation, use one of the above methods to get your drain unclogged.
If at any time these methods fail to produce the results you’re looking for, call a plumber. Your pipes are vital to your quality of life, and you can’t allow them not to work properly.
