How to Clear Your Clogged Drain
Clogged drains are a very common household problem; though the best way to fight them off is to prevent them from happening in the first place, it is not always possible to do so. Fret not; your drain might yet be saved from a costly plumber visit. Here are a few steps to take should one of your drains clog up.
Hot Water!
If you ever see your drain performing slower than usual or even being outright blocked, a good first step should be to put some water to boil and drain any still water near the drain with either a small jug or a cup and leave as little of it as you can. Once the water boils, pour it down the drain and see if it unblocks. If it works– then you can click off this article now!
If not, let the water settle for about five minutes or so to let it cool before trying anything else. Once you let the water cool a little, you can drain the water you just poured with a cup or a small jug for the moment and try the process again. Should the process fail twice, it’s safe to move on and try the next step.
Check the Garbage Disposal to Fix a Clogged Drain
The second step is to turn off your garbage disposal and check it yourself. The garbage disposal can easily block water flow. To help unblock it, you can run the disposal under hot water for a minute or two to see if it’s running correctly. In some cases, it’s possible the garbage disposal has overheated and switched off automatically and may need to be restarted.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is your best next step if your garbage disposal is suffering from a clogged drain. Measure out a cup of baking soda, pour it down the drain, and add an equal amount of vinegar. The solution should begin to react not too long after, and when it does, put in a stopper and let it do its work. Leave it for about ten minutes, then boil up some hot water and pour it down the drain to see if the clog clears.
Optionally, you can also buy a large bottle of coca-cola and pour it down the drain, though not the most effective way to clear clogs. It will work at times due to its acidic nature. If you decide to take this path, leave the cola sitting for about 30 minutes or so.
Hot Water and Bleach
Though not the best smelling or most pleasant, bleach can often clear most clogs. Pour up to half a cup of bleach into your drain and let it sit for a minute or two, then proceed to flush it with hot water.
Note: You should never combine this method with anything involving vinegar.
Try a Plunger or a P-trap
If all else fails, more physical measures may prove to be necessary. Just remember that if you have a double sink, it’s best to seal off the other end with either a wet cloth or a stopper. Also, remember that if you manage to unclog the blockage with the help of either of these tools, it’s best to flush the drain with warm water afterward.
Call a Plumber to Fix Your Clogged Drain
Ultimately if you find yourself unable to clear the blockage by yourself, it may be best to call a plumber to help you out.
