A drain snake is an excellent tool for removing clogs. These can be purchased at most home improvement stores and are very affordable.
Using a wire coat hanger straightened out with pliers can also work. Put one end of the hanger into the drain and the other into a garbage bag to catch any gunk that may fall out of the pipe.
Drain Cleaner
You may have heard that chemical drain cleaners can help eliminate clogged drains. But what you may need to learn is that many of the liquid, gel, foam, and crystal variety consumer drain cleaners contain strong acids or bases, most notably muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) or sodium hydroxide (lye). These chemicals often react with plastic components in your plumbing system and create heat, melting or burning away some parts of your clog. But the best thing is to seek help from French drain experts in New Braunfels for better results.
These products can also damage your pipes and, as with all chemicals, should be avoided if possible. Instead, try an environmentally friendly odorless drain cleaner. This heavy gel formula sinks through the water to fight obstructions at their source and is safe for septic systems. Pour half a bottle down your drain and let it sit for two hours. Then, flush the drain with hot water.
Liquid dish soap can be as effective as chemical drain cleaners if you have a grease-based clog. Mix two tablespoons of dish soap with boiling water and pour it down the drain. Repeat as needed until the clog is gone. You must invest in a power drill for tough, deep clogs. These tools are similar to drain snakes but have a motor that powers a cable. They can be rented at most hardware stores or online. Begin by removing the drain filter and, if necessary, a clean-out plug on the drain trap. Plug the drill in and feed a few feet of the cable into the pipe.
Plunger
A plunger is an easy-to-use household tool that can quickly clear most drains. Place a plunger over the drain and ensure that its rubber cup creates a seal. Press and pull the plunger vigorously, creating a solid force to dislodge and move the clog. It may take several rounds of pushing and pulling to clear the clog completely. After plunging, check the drain to see if it is unclogged.
A simple baking soda and vinegar mixture can also help clear a slow drain. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. After dumping the solution, dump several cups of boiling water into the gutter. The hot water should dissolve and wash away any remaining clogged materials.
A power drill can break up and remove the clog for particularly stubborn clogs. Unlike manual plungers, power augers have an electric motor that powers a cable down the drain pipe. The training can be plugged into the sink drain and turned on using the motor’s foot pedal switch to control the direction of the cable. Feed a few feet of the line into the pipe, then switch to counterclockwise rotation and push it into the clog. Continue this back-and-forth process until the clog is broken and removed from the tube.
Snake
A plumbing snake is a great tool when you can’t dislodge the clog with a plunger. It’s beneficial for stubborn clogs several inches or feet down your drain line. Remember to wear protective work gloves when handling a snake so that you don’t get any clogged material on you.
Start by feeding the snake end into the drain or toilet. You’ll need to remove the cover to do this. Then, slowly rotate the snake’s handle clockwise while pushing it into the pipe. As you turn the handle, the snake’s auger end will cling to and cut through any debris clogging your drain.
When the snake is finished, turn the handle counterclockwise and pull it out. Once you’ve removed the snake, run cold water down the drain for a few minutes to ensure that any remaining dirt has been washed away.
You can prevent future clogs by putting in a filter for your sink and tubs to catch big food scraps before they wash down the drain. Also, clean your garbage disposal regularly by running it with ice and a small amount of vinegar. Finally, be careful when dumping things down your drains, like grease, fats, and oils, as they can build up and narrow the inside of your pipes over time.
Garbage Disposal
A garbage disposal unit saves your kitchen drains from clogging with food scraps entering your plumbing pipes. However, these units are also prone to getting jammed, and you must know how to deal with this common problem.
Stringy or fibrous waste is the most common cause of a garbage disposal clog. For example, banana peels, corn husks, and celery strings can wrap around the disposal blade and impede its function. Fats are another big culprit, as they solidify into a gunky substance that can block the drain. Tossing these foods in the trash or working them into your compost pile is best.
If you can see the clog, try jiggling a hex key or broom handle into the flywheel opening at the bottom of your disposal and jiggling it. If this doesn’t dislodge the clog, use a wire snake to clear it.
Instead of reaching for chemical drain cleaners, try a natural remedy like baking soda and vinegar. First, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain and then follow it with a cup of white distilled vinegar. Allow this to sit for about an hour, then flush the drain with boiling water. This mixture should break up and loosen any accumulated natural matter in the gutter.
