There are times when your drains give a warning sign that it is about to clog up. The water begins to pool around your feet during showers, or you begin to notice how much time it takes for the water in your kitchen sink takes to drain. Sometimes, the smell from the drain can be so pungent (depending on what is clogging the drain). Dealing with a clogged drain is not easy, which is why most people resort to calling plumbers. The good news, however, is that you can unclog a drain yourself, all you need is to know how. Before I tell you how to unclog your drain, here are some common mistake people make when trying to unclog their drains.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Trying to Unclog a Drain
If you notice a hair or food particle, either in the shower drain or the kitchen sink, you can remove it by hand. Sometimes, that is not usually the case, as it may be hard to remove it by hand. Sometimes even using the unclogging products or plunger does not do the trick. So what then do you do in this instance?
Here are Some Home Remedies for you
In other not to get a messy sink or bathroom, you’d need to unclog that drain as soon as possible. Luckily, I’m here to tell you how.
- The baking soda and vinegar mixture
One of the essential ingredients you should have in your kitchen is vinegar and the baking soda. They come in handy for almost everything.
Mix the baking soda and the vinegar. Put one-third of each of the ingredient in the cup then mix. Use a measuring cup, for accuracy. Once the ingredients start fizzing inside the container, you’ll know that the mixture is mixing correctly. Once the mixture is adequately mixed, ensure to pour it into the drain immediately. Pour it directly into the drain, so you don’t get the overflowing mess all over the place. Let the mixture sit for an hour then pour hot water into the drain, and it will go down.
- The dry and wet vacuum cleaner
For those persons who have a vacuum cleaner with the wet and dry setting, such a vacuum would come in handy when you need to unclog a drain. It helps in clearing the drain. First thing you need to do is to adjust the vacuum settings to vacuum liquids. After that, you’d need to cover the vent, creating a tight seal on top of the drain. Get a head from an old plunger; it will be instrumental here. Turn the setting on the vacuum liquid to the highest, then suck; this might get the job done. There is a 50/50 chance that it might work.
- The bent wire hanger
This trick is one of the oldest in the books, but it is handy. Get an old wire hanger that you’re not using and bend it into a small hook. Hold the hanger on the large end, then insert the hook into the drain. Push it as far down as it can go, then when it can go no further pull it out of the drain. The idea is to pull out the junk inside the drain, without pushing it into the drain. Do it over and over till you are sure all the waste is out.
- The drain snake
The drain snake is no snake; it is something you can get at any hardware store. Place the drain snake on the drain; it will attempt to loosen whatever is causing the clogging. Before you can use the drain snake, however, you would need to remove the bottom end of the drain. Then, place a bucket on under the drain, so you can catch the dirt the drain snake loosens. This equipment works best with kitchen sinks, but you can also use it on your bathroom drain.
- Sodium hydroxide
It is also caustic soda, and it works well to unclog a drain. You can find this chemical in any hardware store. Before you use this substance, please be cautious and be sure to read the warning labels. Extreme caution is advised when you’re using this chemical. Always wear gloves, so you don’t burn your hands.
Start by pouring cold water (three-quarter of a gallon) into a big bucket, then add three spoons of the chemical into the water. It will start it’s fizzing right away, and the water they will get warmer immediately. Pour the entire mixture into the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Finally, pour a large bucket of boiling water into the drain to flush it down.
Try to Avoid Clogged Drains with the Regular Cleaning Service
One thing about clogged drains is that they can be a nuisance. They not only take time and money to fix, but they also make the place smelly and messy. Interestingly, you can avoid all this hustle and stress by hiring an excellent service that specializes (among many things) in unclogging drains. They can clean your drains according to your schedules and are available anytime you call on this cleaning service. One of the reliable cleaning services is the maid cleaning service (among others). They are a one-time service, or they can clean your drain weekly, depending on what you want. They are ready to make a schedule that suits your preference
Sometimes cleaning the drain all by yourself can be messy, and hard too. But you can avoid all the mess and stress by calling a cleaning service, and they will get the job done for you. Again, if you want to get your hands dirty, you can do the job yourself, using any of the means listed above. There is nothing to it; all you have to be is careful, as some of the methods of cleaning the drains have severe consequences. As such, it would be prudent to read all the instructions carefully before you begin to use the products.