Having a clogged sink is a common plumbing problem. Homes and businesses will have to deal with clogs unless they have a plumber cleaning the drains frequently. Soap scum, hair, food particles, grease, and outdoor tree roots can all block your pipes and lead to backup in your drains. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you unclog drains with ease.
1- Assess The Situation
Before you jump right into cleaning methods, assess your drain and plumbing situation. Is your home or plumbing system older? This could be the reason for your clogs and could require more than just a DIY cleaning solution. If you know that you have a lot of family members with long hair, some commercial drain cleaners will not help remove a clog. Doing some research on what could be causing the issue will help you be successful in uncloging drains.
2- Wear Proper Protective Gear
Unclogging sinks can get messy, so wearing proper gear can save you frustration down the road. Rubber gloves and non-sentimental clothing are best to wear during cleaning. These will prevent damage to your clothes and skin and keep chemicals or grime off of you. Using some towels or tarp around the area can also make for easier cleanup after you unclog drains.
3- Start With Boiling Water
One of the easiest methods to use when you’re trying to unclog sinks is boiling water. Boil a pot of water on a stove and pour it down the drain in stages. Allow each batch to work through grease or build-up before pouring more down the drain. This will help dislodge the build-up that is connected to the sides of your pipes. Pouring in stages will allow the hot water to work and dissolve items in the pipes without causing the boiling water to overflow into the sink.
If your system has PVC pipes, do not use boiling water. Hot water can weaken these pipes or damage them.
4- Dislodge Clogs With A Plunger
Once you have loosened up some of the debris that could be causing your clog, the next step is to try a plunger. A plunger can help pump and dislodge clogs that the boiling water started to work on. This pressure that you create can help debris move farther into the pipe or flush it out altogether. Place the plunger directly over the drain and pump up and down vigorously for about 20-30 seconds. Repeat until the liquid in the sink begins to drain or you can run the water without any back-up at all.
5- Clean The Drain Stopper
For sinks, showers, or tubs with a drain stopper make sure to clean this to stop clogs from becoming worse. Removing hair from around the drain stopper can help your water to drain faster. Hair, soap, grease, or small debris can become tangled around the stopper, making the area almost completely blocked which causes water to drain slowly.
6- If The Clog Persists, Use A Plumbing Snake
If the clog persists after doing all the previous steps, you can use a plumbing auger/snake. This is a more invasive method that can reach farther into the pipe. Put the cable into the drain opening until you meet resistance. Crank the device handle to rotate the cable around. Let out more cable if needed, but do your best to keep it slack as this is the best way to unclog drains with large clogs. As the clog is broken down, you should feel changes in resistance. Once you feel that the clog has broken up or moved, remove the cable and flush the pipe with hot water.
7- Test The Drain
The final step to ensure that your drains are clear is to flush them out. You can do this by running the hot water from your tap, tub, or shower to see if it drains promptly. If the draining has improved, but is still slow, you may need to repeat some of the steps. If the drain is still completely clogged, contact a plumber.
8- Work With A Plumber For Major Clogs
Some clogs need to be handled by professional tools or approved cleaners. Calling a plumber to help you remedy a stubborn clog will help you have better draining and limit odors in your drains. Our professional plumbers with Drain X have years of experience working with clogged drains. We can help homeowners or business owners have a better plumbing system with just one service.
Unclog Drains With Help From Drain X
Our team has been a part of the plumbing industry for many years. We understand how frustrating plumbing can be, especially when it impacts your daily tasks. We won’t leave you feeling neglected. With efficient service and great customer service, you will have a great experience working with Drain X.
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