The red flags of a clogged drain are too clear – the sink begins to take longer than usual to drain, the annoying pool of water that doesn’t drain when you come out of the shower, etc. And the smell, the annoying, pungent smell…
Little do you know, all these are warning signs and indicate you can expect a clogged drain. Neglect the issue or procrastinate getting it fixed and soon the drain will completely be blocked. Don’t take it too lightly this is a major problem and has to be dealt with as soon as possible, or there is no telling when the pipes are going to burst, leaving you with a hefty repair bill. Or worst, you may not be able to use the bathroom.
Sure, the first thing you may do is remove all the excess hair gathering around the drain hole, you get the gunk out and nada, the water still won’t drain. So you take the plunger and keep at it, still noting happens. This is right about the time when you start to panic and wonder if you are going to have to spend your savings getting the drainpipes unclogged. –Fortunately, there are services available to fix your clogged drain. You can visit https://www.mrrooter.com/dallas/ if you want plumbers who specialize in fast jobs and are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and experience to handle any situation.
If you search for residential plumbers near me, you will find plenty of plumbers around your area. However, if you want to do it all by yourself, breathe a sigh of relief. Still, there are plenty of ways you can try to unclog your drain. In light of this, mentioned below are some pretty simple and cost-effective methods you can use for a do-it-yourself drain-unclogging mission.
Get a Bent Wire Hanger
It is simple, won’t cost a penny, but you may be surprised to see that it works beautifully. Simply, take an everyday wire hanger, untwist the top, and completely flatten so that it is straight. Next, make a tiny hook at either end of the hanger and start poking it down the drain. Fish for excess hair and all manner of gunk stuck in the pipes. Remember, pull everything out, don’t push the gunk further inside.
The Vinegar and Baking Soda Combo
This is another awesome way you can unclog a drain. It is simple really, with a measuring cup take out 1/3 of vinegar and baking soda. Mix the two components, and as soon as you start seeing a fizz building up, make haste and pour the mixture down the drain. The chemical reaction of both the vinegar and baking soda will help remove grime and gunk. But remember to leave the mixture sitting for a couple of hours, and for best results, leave it inside the drain overnight. Then just run some hot water and let everything flush down.
Using a Vacuum (Dry and Wet)
Get your hands on a dry and wet vacuum; you just may be able to unclog a drain faster than anything else. First, turn the setting of the vacuum to liquid. Make sure you put something on the vent to avoid a mess. Grab the plunger and create a strong seal on the drain, and blast the vacuum. The suction created can be powerful enough to suck all the gunk and grime in the drain. Keep in mind this method doesn’t always pan out, but it is still worth a try.
Hot Water
It doesn’t get any simpler than this. Take a pan, fill it with water, boil it. You could also use a kettle. But a pot will enable you to use more water. After the water is boiled, don’t pour it all down at once. Take to three short moments before pouring it all down. This should do the trick. This method is also extremely effective at unclogging toilets too.
Sodium Hydroxide
Caustic soda, which is also referred to as sodium hydroxide is a powerful chemical. However, extreme caution is advised if you’re using caustic soda. You can get the chemical in any hardware shop near your place. Be sure to get some rubber gloves so that you don’t burn your hand. Also, don’t forget eye-protection as well. Take a mop bucket, pour some cold water in it (3/4 gallon) will do the trick.
Then take an old wooden spoon and pour three cups of sodium hydroxide. Gently stir it so that it doesn’t splash out. The mixture will quickly heat up and start fizzing. Pour the mixture down the drain, again, do it gently, and leave it be for around 30 minutes. Boil some hot water and pour it down after half an hour to completely unclog the drain. Repeat the process depending on how stubborn the clog is.
Flexible Metal Rope
Also popularly known as the drain snake, it is low-tech, easy and can do a good job of unclogging your drain. The drain snake is essentially a metal rope, long in length and flexible. It also has a metal spiral at one end. The method is the same as using a bent wire hanger.
Final Words
So, if you are trying to fix the issue all by yourself, use some of the best methods mentioned above. If the thought of doing it on your own seems daunting and challenging, it’s better to take the help of professionals.