7 DIY Ways to Unclog Your Drain
Whether it is water standing in your kitchen sink or water draining too slowly in your bathroom, clogged drains are common and occur quite frequently. It is always best to inspect the first signs of a blockage which can be unpleasant smell or slow draining of water.
Once you know there is a problem, address the issue to prevent the drain pipe from clogging altogether. Fortunately, there are several DIY ways that can help you get rid of the problem without any help from a professional. Here are 7 simple and easy ways to unclog your drain. DIY Tool Expert team helped me a lot preparing the list.
#1 Pour Boiling water
A simple yet effective method for removing the deposited gunk that is causing a blockage. Boiling water can help in dissolving the greasy residues and clean all the gunk away. For this method, boil a kettle of water and slowly pour it down the drain.
Repeat this process several times until the obstruction is removed and the water is flowing through it freely.
#2 Use a wire hanger
A wire hanger can be effectively used if the clog is not too far. It can help in pushing or pulling the nasty stuff that is causing a clogged drain. All you have to do is take a wire coat hanger and straighten it as much as you can. Now push it slowly down the drain until you reach the obstruction.
Once it reaches the place it needs to be, slowly push and pull the nasty stuff with the straightened wire. This will create a way for the water to start flowing and the gunk will either be flushed out or get pulled out along with the wire.
#3 Unclog with baking soda
Baking soda causes a fizz when it comes in contact with vinegar and water and helps in clearing the drain effortlessly. Mix equal amounts of baking soda and vinegar and immediately pour it over the drain. Set the timer for at least an hour. Baking soda works slowly to dissolve the accumulated gunk and clears it off to open up your drain.
Finally, pour hot water and check if the water is passing freely.
#4 Get a drain snake
Using a drain snake is probably the best ways to unclog your drain, especially if it is located too far away. It is a long metal wire that can help in easily removing the obstruction in just a few minutes. You can simply push it in the clogged drain to a great length and pull down the stuff that is causing the blockage.
Once done, just pour some hot water to flush out the remaining residues.
#5 Plunge
A plunger can also efficiently remove a stubborn clog in less effort and time. It can help in providing the force that will break the obstruction and allow the water to pass easily. Make sure you create a tight seal around the plunger to make it work effectively. Just fill up some water around the drain and plunge 8-10 times. Now turn on the tap to check if the blockage is cleared off.
#6 Clean the P-trap
If your kitchen sink drain is clogged, you can easily clean the P-trap that is located under the sink to clear off the debris. All you have to do is place a bucket underneath it so that it can catch the dirty water that may splash while doing it. Slowly disconnect the P trap and remove all the gunk and trapped food particles.
Now wipe it off clean with the help of some paper towels and fix it on its place. Run the tap to check if it works. In most cases, if you have a detachable P-trap, it is an easier way to remove the clog.
#7 Use dish detergent
This is yet another effective method to remove a blockage, especially if it is in your toilet. Simply take a quarter cup of dish detergent and pour it in the clogged drain. Now pour some boiling water and use a plunger to create a force that will flush out the residue. You may also mix baking soda (2 cups), Epsom salt (2 cups), 9-10 tablespoons of dish detergent (liquid) in muffin tins lined with muffin liners and let it dry for several hours.
Once dry, just remove the muffin liners and drop them in your toilet. Pour some hot water and allow it to stand for 4-5 hours. Flush the toilet to get rid of the deposited debris.
Conclusion
The above methods to unclog your drain are easy, effective and can save a lot of time and money. Now you do not need to call a professional plumber and wait for him to fix your drain. You can absolutely use these proven DIY techniques to get rid of the blockage
