Fixing Your Drain Clogs at Home

Do you remember the last time you ran water down your kitchen or bathroom sink? Did it drain slowly or not at all? Did you leave with a basin full of dirty water? Clogged sinks in our kitchen or bathroom or perhaps even our clogged drains in our shower are very common plumbing problems that homeowners face.

These pipe buildups are inconvenient and leave unwanted residue behind, but we should try clearing clogs once we notice them. If we leave it as it is with clogs in our plumbing, materials will continue to pile up until it is completely blocked. Blocked water will then find a way around the clog, gushing back up into the sink, flooding the area, and causing slow drainage or water pressure.

Dirty basins of water may be frightening, but clearing the clog is a simple project that you can do by yourself with the right tools.

Unclogging Your Drains Like a Pro- Best DIY Methods to Unclog Drains

The plumbing system inside your house is like a web of pipes. They bend and curve as the water enters your home and is carried back out as waste. The bends in your plumbing create small traps where stuff like greases, food, hair, and other debris collect and form solid masses.

To clear clogs in the center of a drain opening, one of the best DIY methods is to pour hot water down the opening. Doing this removes the debris. When a clog has formed in the u-shape of a pipe, try using these simple tools:

• Plunger: Fill your sink or tub with a little water and place the plunger over the drain opening, making sure that the rubber lip is flush with the surface. To create pressure, use a quick up-and-down motion to get rid of the clog in the pipe. Once the clog is cleared, water will run freely down the drain and through the pipes. Stubborn clogs may need tobe plunged several more times.

• Plumbing snake: This tool is a thin length of wire or plastic that travels into a drain to dislodge a clog. To remove a clog with a snake, remove the drain cover and insert the knotted end of the snake into the drain. Rotate the snake's handle to push it farther into the pipes. You will know that you have reached the clog once the snake hits resistance. Pull and twist the snake to break up the debris or try hooking the material to pull the clog back out. Remove the snake and then flush the drain with water.

Can I Use Chemical Drain Clearing Products?

When water is not flowing smoothly down the drains, homeowners usually reach for a bottle of a chemical drain cleaning solution since it can be a quick solution. Chemical products are convenient, but they can damage your home's plumbing, corroding the pipe materials if overused. An eco-friendly and plumbing-safe solution is vinegar mixed with baking soda. Send the contents down the clogged drain, and it will work its wonders.

DIY Drain Clog Tips Not Working? Call the Professional Plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse

You can save time and money by clearing your own drains if you have the right tools, but sometimes plunging or snaking alone won't work on tough clogs. This is where the licensed, helpful professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse come in. When you need an extra hand to clear debris, call the licensed plumbing specialists at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our team is certified by Onondaga County for plumbing leak detection or any plumbing-related project.

Schedule services today by completing our online form, or call us today at 315-472-1203 for a free drain clog estimate.