You have clogged drains. We all get them. Shower, bath, toilet, kitchen sink. Whatever. You don’t know how to unclog it so you turn to the internet. Good idea, really. As long as you take a few minutes to make sure the suggestions you are following won’t hurt your drain, some of the ideas out there are really good. Let’s discuss a few and show you your options.
Unclogging Clogged Drains
First, for clogged drains, you usually have the old standby: the
plunger or plumber’s helper. For a clogged sink or toilet, these are usually
very effective. It doesn’t matter if the clog is on the disposal side or the
non-disposal side, a plumber’s helper can usually do the trick. Make sure you
use one that seals around the drain well so you can get the suction you need.
And never use the toilet plunger on the kitchen sink; you don’t need e. coli
showing up in your kitchen.
Next, the shower or tub. These are a little trickier and don’t
respond as well to a plumber’s helper, but they are usually clogged with a
combination of hair and soap, so clearing them is pretty straightforward. First, get some needle nose pliers and pull
as much hair from the drain as you can. This task is thankless and a little
gross, so don’t have the weakest stomach in the house do it.
If the drain is still slow, run a gallon or two of very hot water
down your drain, then pour in a half cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar,
immediately covering the drain so the resulting foaming reaction forces its way
down the drain. This will often clear the soap and other debris caught in the
drain. Let it set, then run more hot
water.
Never use harsh chemicals on your drains; you don’t want to damage
the pipes. And if your clogged drains don’t respond to these remedies, you
probably need a professional.