If you have a clogged drain, then before you delve into the plumbing, it’s important to locate the clog, which shouldn’t be hard if it’s only one drain that won’t, well, drain. Then, before you call the plumber here are some suggestions that you can try for getting rid of the clog on your own.
Whenever you have a clogged drain, the first step is to open the drain strainer completely so that you can see and remove the particles that were causing the clog. The most common reasons behind a clogged drain are hair, food particles, sediment build ups etc. So, the drain stopper should be cleaned regularly to remove all these materials otherwise it can lead to major clog.
Another easy solution that you can try out at home is to pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the drain. Leave it for some time and then put plenty of hot water. This can break the clog and can help clearing the drain.
Use a drain snake to find and break up the clog. Remove the drain stopper or strain and use the snake (or plumber’s auger) to explore the drain until you find the clog, at which point you can hook, loosen, and break up the clog.
Plunger is another common plumbing tool. You can apply petroleum jelly to it’s rim to make it work more effectively as then you can apply the maximum suction force to loosen whatever substance is clogging your pipes. After using a plunger, you can test whether the drain is clear or not by pouring hot water down the drain.
Tough chemical solutions can dissolve tough clogs. There are various products available in the market which are specifically designed to clear up clogged drains, just be sure to try other options first, since the chemicals involved can be less than healthy for the environment.
You can use other complicated methods also to fix the problem but only if you have good knowledge about the whole plumbing system otherwise you can cause more damage than repair. SO, if you have tried all the options mentioned above but none worked for you, then it is advisable to call a professional plumber as some things are better left for the experts.
Do your research first, though, and be sure to find a plumber with a good reputation who won’t overcharge you. Then, by all means allow them to plumb away until your drains are clean and clear. It might be a good idea to ask for a few tips from the professionals, too — just to be even more prepared to prevent and clear out another clogged drain.