Unclogging a drain

Every house has more than one drain and it is a good enough guess to say that almost every house has had experiences with a clogged drain at least once. This is the reason why every household should be armed with everything they could learn about a clogged drain and how to unclog a drain.

A clogged drain does not happen by itself. However, you would probably need to unclog the drains if you do not know how to take care of them properly

For minor issues, it’s a great idea to have a few at-home remedies ready to use when needed. As such, here are the best ways to unclog a drain.

Sometimes though, a clogged drain is not easily preventable especially if there are a lot of people using the kitchen and the bathroom. You do not need to immediately call a plumber or an expert in unclogging drain to solve your problem. However, it is important to find a solution to your clogged drain as soon as possible.

There are several methods and simple repairs that can be done to address a clogged drain.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

The first thing to do is to pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drainage. Then, pour 1/2 cup vinegar. When done, you should now let the drain cover loose. This is important because of the reaction of the vinegar and baking soda results in fumes and foam and sometimes undesirable aroma. After which, let the mix set in the drain for at least 3 hours before running the tap.

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, and then pour 1/2 cup salt. Next, pour at least a teakettle-full of boiling water. Finally, allow the mix to sit overnight before using it again.

Use a Plunger

Another simple way to unclog a sink is with a plunger. The plunger is the most commonly used tool in the maintenance of drainage systems. A plunger is meant to suck up or in the least dislodge the blocking object and not for pushing the clog down the piping. Start by filling the sink halfway with hot water. Then, put the plunger over the drain and push it up and down quickly. After you have done that for a minute or two, pull the plunger out and check if the water starts to go down.

Snakes & Millipedes

Use a plumber’s snake. This is obviously one of the most difficult ways to unclog a drain. First, you need a plumber’s snake which you can easily purchase at most department stores. Start by loosening the P-trap under the sink and see if the clog is inside the P-trap. If the clog isn’t on the P-trap, then it’s on the adjoining pipe. This is where you now use the snake. Simply place the end of the snake into the pipe and start feeling for any resistance. Once you find resistance, they you got the clog.

When you’ve tried it all, and the clog is still present, it’s time to call a pro. The pro can easily assess what the issue is, as sometimes it may not be as simple as a clog. As pipes get older or are less maintained, they are likely to be corroded, which could also cause this issue. This would require other repairs to replace the pipes and prevent it from happening in the future.

Maintenance

–    Use a good drainage cleaner clear odor that may emanate from drainage pipes.

–    All the drainage mouths have dirt screens to guard against any solid objects.

–    Avoid using harsh chemicals in your drains.

–    Cleaning the drains regularly to maintain a clean environment in your drainage.

Conclusion

Keep these tips in mind the next time you see your drain slowing and take action as soon as possible, to prevent it from getting worse.