Did you know some of the most common causes of clogged drains are soap scum, oil or grease, cat litter, mineral build-up, food waste, and excessive amounts of toilet paper? Everyone pours something down the drain they shouldn’t from time to time, right? If you’re dealing with clogged drains, don’t put off the problem any longer.

Keep reading to find out what to do about a clogged drain right here.

Use a Plunger for a Clogged Drain 

A plunger isn’t only for plugged up toilets. You can use a plunger to unclog tubs and sinks, too. If your tub is not draining, follow these steps:

1. Cover the overflow drain with tape
2. Fill the tub with a few inches of hot water
3. Place the plunger around the drain to create a seal
4. Plunge rapidly 5 to 6 times and pull up on the last press
5. Repeat until unclogged
7. Remove tape from the overflow drain

The procedure of unclogging your sink with a plunger is the same.  

Put the Harsh Chemicals Away

Liquid drain cleaner offers a quick and easy solution when your sink is not draining. You just pour it down the drain, wait, and wash it down with some hot water. Simple, right?

Unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than that. Liquid drain cleaners only offer temporary relief and don’t fix the problem with your plumbing. Additionally, it can harm your pipes if you use them too often. Opt for a less corrosive approach.

Baking soda and vinegar are two household staples that make wonderful cleaning products. To make a drain cleaner, pour half of a cup of baking soda and half of a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain, wait a few hours, then flush with hot water.  

Don’t Use a Drain Snake Unless You’re a Trained Professional

A drain snake is a long, thick flexible wire with a coil at the end that feeds into drains to break up clogs. They come in different lengths, thicknesses and operated by hand or machine. However, there are a few reasons why you should break out the drain snake to unclog your drains.

If your home was built in the 1960s or earlier, chances are you have galvanized pipes. Galvanized pipes are more fragile and prone to rust than modern plumbing equipment. If you’re not careful, you could scratch or crack the pipes when using a drain snake.

Drain snakes caused an estimated 229 injuries in 2010. While they are sold at hardware stores or online retailers and advertised as easy for anyone to use, they are difficult to wield, potentially dangerous, and damage your plumbing if you use it wrong.

If you’re not a trained professional and can’t unclog your drain by yourself, this is when to call a plumber. Get in contact with Guerrero Plumbing, LLC; they can diagnose the problem with your plumbing, fix it, and advise you how to keep your pipes clog-free.  

Flush Your Drain Problems Away

Clogged drains are inconvenient, and the longer the delay getting the issue fixed, the more damage you could do to your plumbing. Get in contact with a plumber who can use tools like a drain snake safely and effectively. In the meantime, try a gentler approach to unclogging like a baking soda and vinegar solution.

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