how to fix a clogged drain at home - A2B Plumbing, Heating and Cooling

30
September

Have you ever found yourself puzzled when confronting a clogged drain that refuses to clear? The situation can be bothersome, or in some cases, menacing, as it can threaten health if neglected. When this household dilemma arises, there is no need to call a professional plumber or to provide a set of expensive equipment. All you need is a bit of knowledge and a few simple tools to restore the flow of water. In this essay, we will explore a variety of methods, from simple techniques to more advanced and practical solutions. Following the methods step by step empowers individuals to fix and repair the clogged drain independently while saving time and money. So join us, grab your tools, and let’s dive into the amazing world of drain maintenance and prevention of drain blockages.

Signs warning your drain is clogged

Several signs may indicate that your drain is clogged. We will discuss each reason in separated sections:

Some cues are visually recognizable:

Water pooling may occur in the sink or bathroom after use.
Water noticeably drains slower than usual.
You may hear gurgling sounds or strange noises while water draining.
When the water drains small bubbles may appear.

Unpleasant smell is an obvious and exact cue:

An unpleasant odor or sewage-like smell that comes from the drain.

There are some other signs occur when the drain is fully clogged:

Overflowing is a warning sign. Water backing up happens even with minimal usage
The sewage may back up into the toilet.
You may experience water pressure issues as your drain is clogged.

13 Causes of clogged drains

Clogged drains can occur frequently for a variety of reasons and you can prevent blockages by understanding the causes. Causes of clogged drains include:

Grease and oil can be a main reason for clogged household pipes. The oil clumps with other debris and causes drain blockage.
2. Hair is one of the most common reasons for clogged drain, especially in bathroom sinks.
3. Food debris might be problematic as food particles lodge and block the pipe.
4. Solid soap bars can get lodged and cause blockage within pipes. It might be better to use liquid soap.
5. Toiletries can cause drain blockages. If you flush down nappies, sanitary products or baby wipes the toilet pipes will get clogged.
6. Foreign objects such as toys flushed by kids or other objects become lodged in pipes and cause blockage.
7. Hard water is a natural reason for pipe blockage as it can lead to mineral deposits in pipes.
8. Pet hair can easily clog drains, especially from shedding animals.
9. Improper maintenance can damage the pipes and also clog the drain.
10. Insufficient water pressure can make a weak water flush leading to clogs.
11. Improper drain design and incorrect pipe installation can make trouble in the draining process.
12. Tree roots can infiltrate outdoor pipes and cause significant clogs. This can also damage the whole plumbing system.
13. Collapsed pipes or old broken pipes can be filled by soil or other debris which leads to harsh drain clogging.

Try to clear any dirt or slit before washing it in a sink, tub or bathroom shower. This can significantly prevent pipe blockage and drain clogging.

DIY solutions to fix clogged drain at home

DIY (do it yourself) solutions are step by step guide tips which give you enough information to easily fix your clogged drain at home. Here are 5 tip:

As a first step use boiling water for minor blockage:

How it works: Hot water melts any grease and removes small debris which results in washing out the drain.
Instructions: Boil water in a pot and pour it down the drain. It is better to repeat this 2 – 3 times to wash out any impurity.
Take care while using hot water, not to scald yourself.

Another solution can be baking soda and vinegar:

How it works: A chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar results in cleaning the drain.
Instructions: Prepare a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Pour down the baking soda followed by vinegar down into the drain. After 30 minutes rinse and flush with hot water.
A cup of salt is recommended for better cleaning.

If the methods mentioned above could not solve the problem, test a plunger:

How it works: The pressure made by suction of plunger cleans the clog.
Instructions: Fill the sink with water then place the plunger on the drain. Make sure the plunger sticks around the drain. Start pushing and pulling the plunger vigorously to dislodge the clog.
Consider choosing the right plunger as some of the plungers are especially designed for toilets.

In worse conditions, use a drain snake:

How it works: It is a long, flexible wire that can remove clogs as it is entering the drain.
Instructions: All you have to do is to insert the drain snake into the drain and move it around then pull it out to unclog the drain.
Be careful not to damage the pipes when you use the drain snake.

The final step is using a chemical drain cleaner, the best and the most effective way:

How it works: These cleaners can unclog the drain in a few minutes by containing strong chemical composition.
Instructions: It is necessary to wear gloves while pouring down the cleaner into the drain. Consider pouring carefully in order not to damage the sink or other tools around the sink and take care of yourself.
Chemical cleaners can be dangerous and damage pipes if used indiscriminately.

How to prevent drain clogging?

Drain clogs can occur regularly, considered as a common household nuisance. Fortunately, it is possible to fix a clogged drain at home with some handy tools, but prevention is better than spending time fixing the clogged pipes and tolerating mess and contamination. To prevent drain clogging pay careful attention to the tips bellow:
Pick out food scraps, even small amounts can clog the drain overtime.
Grease and oil solidify as they cool, so avoid pouring them into the drain before causing drain clog and creating sticky barriers.
Use a drain strainer to prevent hair and other debris entry. Also regularly clean the strainer and the drain.
Coffee grounds can cause drain clog binding together. Try to use a coffee filter.
Regularly check for visible blockages. This is an effective way of preventing clogging drain.
Check out the materials your pipes are made from to choose the best cleaning method.

How to fix a clogged toilet?

A clogged toilet is more than a simple pipe blockage as it can result in a disaster.
Therefore, you need to be cautious enough to prevent toilet blockage by cleaning the drain regularly. The guide is written specially for you to easily resolve clogged toilet pipes with practical methods and simple tools to handle the issue with confidence.

Toilet auger:

It is not easy to dislodge a clogged toilet with a plunger or boiling water etc, yet they can be helpful too. But there is another highly recommended and executable that you can do by yourself carefully and precisely. You need a toilet auger which is an appropriate and a proper way of unclogging a toilet.

How to use a toilet auger?

Insert the toilet auger into the drain and rotate the handle to dislodge the blockage.
Continue the auger guidance until you feel the clog and resistance.
As soon as you reach the clog, rotate the handle and try to break it up.
Now you can pull out the clog, retracting the auger slowly.
Caution: The auger can damage your pipes. So, unclog the pipes carefully.

For minor toilet clogging, simple methods can also work. Such as natural remedies for clogged drains mentioned earlier, including hot water, baking soda and vinegar, chemical cleaners and drain snakes. Another natural solution for toilet clogging is to use baking soda and lemon juice. All the methods can solve the problem according to the severity of pipe blockage. Though these natural remedies are safe, remember not to mix chemical cleaners with baking soda and vinegar, as the reaction can be harmful.

When to call a professional plumber for a clogged drain?

Calling a plumber at the right time can avoid serious issues. In some situations it is advisable to call a plumber:

Experiencing multiple drain blockages can indicate a serious issue of your plumbing system. This can be solved by a professional plumber.
If you have tried various methods and it was a failure, it is time to call a plumber.
If the draining process happens very slowly and it’s not due to a simple blockage, there might be a serious problem that can be solved by a plumber.
If contaminated water is backing up from the drain, immediately call a plumber to avoid health risks.
If you see visible signs such as water leaking, it is crucial to call a plumber in order to prevent problematic issues.
Whenever you notice that a drain is affected by another, it’s time to call a plumber right away.
If you have a septic system and you face a draining issue, it may require assessment by a plumber.
Regular blockages may indicate a noticeable problem and a plumber can check up the issue and fix it.

Never ignore clogged drains as they can result in hazardous situations and endanger your life. Call a plumber to conduct the inspection to avoid risks and damages.

Conclusion

Learning how to fix a clogged drain or a blocked pipe at home is an easy task that you can save both money and time if you repair the clogged drains or blocked pipes properly within the right techniques. Homeowners can considerably reduce the likelihood of pipe blockage or damage by regular cleaning and employing preventative maintenance, such as installing drain covers and being more cautious about separating trash and debris. Mainly, these kinds of problems can be resolved by utilizing simple tools such as drain snakes, plungers, augers or natural remedies like boiling water or a mixture of chemicals and baking soda with white vinegar. On the other hand, you should be careful about foreign objects not to flush down the drain that can cause pipe blockage which is hard to dislodge. In some cases, clogging drain can be perilous as it can threaten your life and put you at risk. Obviously, this situation needs a professional repairman to fix the clogged pipes or replace the damaged ones.

30
September