Few things can ruin a perfectly good morning like discovering that you are standing in ankle-deep shower water. Dealing with a clogged drain is frustrating, but you don’t have to let a slow-draining shower or sink ruin your day.
When it comes to unclogging drains, you can try a few DIY methods. You’ll also need to know when to call a plumber to fix a slow drain to avoid causing bigger issues. Here, you’ll learn step-by-step how to unclog any drain fast, along with when it’s best to call in a pro for help.
How to Know When You’re Dealing With a Serious Drain Clog
By now, you probably know the signs of a clogged drain. Yet, you might be wondering how you can tell if it’s a serious blockage. Checking out this list of major sewer backup warning signs can help you know when to go straight to calling our professional plumbers for a slow drain fix.
•The drain smells bad
•Gurgling noises
•Slowly draining water in one fixture
•Multiple drains are experiencing backups
What NOT to Do: Avoid These General Drain-Clearing Mistakes
Many chemical drain cleaners are made from corrosive ingredients that are designed to eat their way through clogs. The same qualities that break down fats and hair can also make drain cleaners damage pipes.
On top of chemical drain cleaner risks, you also need to worry about natural de-clogging methods. For instance, mixing vinegar and bleach can create toxic gases. Even if they don’t harm your health, bad DIY plumbing fixes can lead to leaks and pipe damage that require professional repairs.
DIY Drain Clearing Methods That Actually Work
If you’re the type who’d rather try a DIY method to get things moving, then our team can recommend several effective home remedies for clogged drains.
1. Try Using a Plunger (The Right Way)
A common household plunger is one of the best drain-cleaning tools that everyone should have near a toilet. But, it can take some practice to figure out how to create a good seal. Once you do, you’ll be ready to plunge vigorously.
If you clear the clog, you’ll often see the water start to go down once you stop to check the drain flow. For hygiene purposes, use separate plungers for sinks vs. toilets. Storing them near the fixture they are for helps prevent mix-ups.
2. Use Boiling Water & Dish Soap
Figuring out how to clear a clog naturally is as easy as heating up some water. Boiling water combined with dish soap breaks up grease and soap scum. You’ll find this method works best in kitchen drains, where these are common sources of clogs.
3. Try the Classic Baking Soda & Vinegar Method
When you prefer to unclog a sink without chemicals, this method is a great one to try. Simply pour one-half cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one-half cup of vinegar. You’ll then want to let the mixture fizz and bubble for around 15 to 30 minutes.
Once the time is up, you can flush the sink using hot water to see if the clog has cleared. Boiling water is also an option that you can use to improve the effectiveness of this method.
4. Clean the P-Trap (for Sink Drains)
If you happen to be handy, then you might be confident enough to try opening the pipe at the p-trap. Sometimes, hair, soap scum and other debris gets stuck at the curve in sink pipes.
To open up the p-trap, you’ll loosen the slip nuts that connect the drainpipe to the sink’s tailpiece. Before you do, don’t forget to place a bucket beneath the pipe to catch any water that falls.
Once you have it opened up, you can simply remove any contents you find in the p-trap and tighten the slip nuts back up.
5. Use a Drain Snake or Zip-It Tool
Drain snakes and zip-it tools are cheap and simple to operate. Simply feed the line into the clogged sink, twist it to hook into the clog and pull. This method works best for hair and other small blockages that tend to be close to the top of the drain.
Know When to Call Our Professional Plumber
Paying attention to the signs you need a plumber helps you avoid wasting time or risking a hazardous backup.
•Multiple clogged fixtures (indicates a main sewer line clog)
•Water backing up into the tub or toilet when the washing machine runs
•Persistent bad smells or recurring drain clogs
•The toilet keeps clogging
•Standing water that won’t go away
Consider What a Plumber Can Do That You Can’t
Sure, it’d be great if you could unclog a drain and move on with your day. But, Ben Franklin professional plumbers have tools and training that can remove the ones that aren’t so easy to clear.
We offer these plumbing services for clogs that identify and address the problem faster than you might imagine is possible.
•Hydro jetting plumbing: uses high-pressure water to remove sludge, tree roots and grease
•Video sewer camera inspection: find hidden or repeating issues
•Motorized augers: use more strength and energy for eliminating deep or stubborn clogs
Learn How to Prevent Clogged Drains for Good
Following a few simple drain maintenance tips can halt stubborn clogs from developing:
•Use drain strainers to stop hair in the drain
•Run hot water after soap or greasy use to prevent good grease in the sink prevention
•Use monthly enzyme-based drain cleaners that are non-corrosive
•Plan for annual professional drain inspections
What to Try First—And When to Give Up
Working through this quick checklist helps you know when to give it your best DIY shot and when to throw in the towel.
1. Try a plunger for a quick drain fix.
2. Use hot water and dish soap.
3. Try baking soda and vinegar to fix a clogged drain fast
4. Snake the drain
5. If multiple fixtures are slow, call a pro. The same is true of what to do if the drain won’t unclog with the previous methods.
Need a Drain Unclogging Pro In Birmingham, AL?
Do you need professional drain unclogging in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding areas? Whether you live in Riverchase, Inverness or Bluff Park, you don’t have to spend another morning standing in a pool of shower water.
Our punctual plumbers have the experience and equipment you need to restore your drain’s functioning quickly. Call Benjamin Franklin today, and never waste another minute waiting for the shower to drain.