A clogged drain qualifies as one of the ultimate household hassle. You’re washing dishes, and suddenly, the sink drain stops working. Or maybe you’re washing your face, and next thing you know, your bathroom sink has become a pool of water that drains at a glacier pace.
Yep, we have all been there and made an annoyed face!
But there’s good news to this-
It’s easy to unclog drains in some cases and fix them on your own.
But how to know if you can take matters into your own hands or you need a drain repair expert fixing your clogged drain?
That’s what we will talk about in this blog.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through some simple DIY tips to clear a clogged drain, the signs you need to look for, and when it’s time to call the professionals—like the friendly plumbing experts at O&M Plumbing.
Signs You have a Clogged Drain
Before we look at the DIY drain repair solutions, let’s take a quick look at some obvious signs that your drain facing some issues:
- Slow Draining: Whether it’s your sink, shower, or bathtub, if the water is taking forever to drain, it is the most common indicator of a clogged drain.
- Standing Water: If you’re standing in a pool of water while showering, or your bathroom sinks refuse to drain at all, that’s a clear indication of clogged drains.
- Gurgling Sounds: Hear strange gurgling noises when the water goes down the drain? That’s a sign of trapped air, which usually means there’s something stuck in the drain pipe.
- Foul Odors: If your drain smells like something is rotting down there, it could be food or other debris that’s clogging things up.
- Frequent Clogs: If you’re constantly having to deal with tough clogs, it might be more than just surface-level debris. Recurring clogs could indicate a deeper problems in your plumbing.
If any of these sound familiar, your drain might be blocked. But don’t worry—there are a few things you can try yourself before you need to call us for backup.
DIY Tips for Clearing a Clogged Drains
Boiling Water
The easiest, fastest, and cheapest fix? Good old boiling water. This is particularly effective for drain clog caused by grease, soap scum, and minor clogs that are close to the surface.
How to do it:
- Boil a pot of water.
- Slowly pour boiling water in the drain in two or three stages, allowing the hot water to work through the clog.
- Wait a couple of minutes between each pour to let it do its thing.
If the boiling water trick doesn’t work, the drain clogs may be further down the line, and it might be time to call O&M Plumbing for professional drain plumbing.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This is an old-school drain cleaner remedy, but it still works wonders to unclog a drain. The chemical reaction between baking soda and white vinegar can break down gunk that’s stuck in your pipes.
How to do it:
- Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Follow it up with 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
- Cover the drain and wait 15-20 minutes for the magic to happen.
- Run hot water to flush the drain.
If you’ve tried this home remedy but still see standing water, the blockage could be more serious than it looks. That’s when our experts at O&M Plumbing can step in to help with reliable and quick drain cleaning.
The Plunger
When it comes to stubborn clogged drains, don’t underestimate the power of a plunger. You must visit your local hardware store to get your hands on a loyal toilet plunger or sink plungers which can help you push through blockages without messing with your plumbing system.
How to do it:
- Place the plunger over the drain overflow hole and create a seal.
- Push up and down several times in quick succession.
- Pull the plunger off and see if the water starts draining.
If you’re plunging with all your dedication and still nothing happens, there might be something bigger blocking your drain pipes, and it’s time to let our professional plumbers take a look.
Drain Snake or Auger
Got a tougher clog that’s just not budging? Drain snakes or augers can help you clear a clogged drain. These tools are designed to reach further into the drain pipes and dislodge blockages that are beyond what boiling water or toilet plungers can fix.
How to do it:
- Insert the drain snake into the drain and turn the handle to feed it further down.
- Once you hit resistance (that’s the drain clog), rotate the drain snake to break it up.
- Slowly pull the drain snake out and you’ll see the blockage come out with it.
If using drain snakes still doesn’t clear the clog, you may have a more serious blockage or drain cleaning issues on your hands, and that’s where our team at O&M Plumbing can come in to save the day.
Clearing a clogged drain can be super simple, especially with some basic DIY methods like boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or even a trusty plunger.
But when these above methods don’t work, or if the drain clogs keep coming back, it’s time to call in the professionals.
At O&M Plumbing, we’re ready to tackle any drain problem you have, big or small. With our advanced tools and experienced team, we’ll make sure your drain plumbing is in good health and all the drains are flowing smoothly.
So, the next time you’re dealing with stubborn drain clogs, don’t hesitate to reach out to O&M Plumbing.
We’re just a phone call away!