A 101 On Unclogging Drains The Right Way

Clogged drains are part of our lives as homeowners. At one point, you’ll discover a blocked toilet. You’ll learn that water won’t drain in your kitchen sink. And in some cases, you’ll be surprised to find out that your washer or garbage disposal won’t function properly at all. Don’t worry. Unclogging drains isn’t that hard — if the clog is only minor. Check out this DIY guide that we’re sharing with you today and we hope that this helps you out! Remember, if you’re not confident about your plumbing skills, calling a professional is the best way to go.

I. Hot Water and Detergent

If your sink is clogged, chances are some organic waste, food particles or grease has already accumulated inside the drainpipe. The first thing that you can do is to boil some water in a pot. When it’s already boiled, pour a cup of grease-fighting detergent into the pot. Stir it well to distribute the detergent evenly. Afterward, carefully pour the water and detergent solution into the affected drain. Leave it for about 15 minutes and then turn the tap on. Check if the clog has been dislodged.

II. Baking Soda and Vinegar

If the hot water and detergent solution won’t work, then you must try one of the most popular natural ways to unclog a drain — baking soda and vinegar. All you have to do is pour a cup of baking soda into the blocked drain. After that, pour a cup of white vinegar, too. Then plug the drain immediately with an old cloth or a rag. Let the two ingredients form a chemical reaction. When you no longer hear any sound (like fizzing), remove the plug and pour a kettle of hot water into the drain to wash away any remaining ingredient inside the pipe. Test the sink by letting tap water flow into the drain. Still clogged? Try the next trick!

III. Plunger

Actually, this is more like a tool than a trick. The plunger won’t be the iconic symbol of the plumbing industry for nothing. Just make sure that you’ll get the right plunger because there are several types available in the market. Fill your sink with water just enough to cover the rubber part of your cup plunger. Position the plunger right on top of the drain and plunge away with a consistent pace for about 15 repetitions. Afterward, pour water into the drain to test if the clog has been eradicated.

IV. Plumbing Snake

If the plunger method won’t work, then you must try the best drain clog remover. The plumbing snake is also referred to as the electric eel or the toilet jack. But for your sink, you should only get the regular hand auger that features a crank for reeling the wire into the drain. Simply insert the coil / wire into the pipe. Turn the crank clockwise until you feel a resistance. Keep on pushing the snake in while turning the crank to break through the solid material that has blocked up your pipe. When you no longer feel any resistance, carefully pull the snake out and dispose any waste properly. Once again, test the drain. If the snake won’t solve the problem, call your plumber.

We hope that you learned a lot about unclogging drains from our blog today. If you ever encounter the same plumbing issue at home, don’t hesitate to call the most trusted emergency plumber in Boston. Plumbers 911 Boston has a network of licensed and trained plumbing professionals that provide exceptional emergency plumbing in Brookline including drain cleaning in Boston . Call to schedule a service immediately!