Unclogging a drain is many times a job that you should leave to a Master Plumber, but there are certain scenarios for a DIY drain repair.
Every home and business owner understands that there are warning signs associated with clogged drains, including pooling water in a shower and a sink taking a little longer than usual to properly drain.
But although we may recognize these types of warning signs for plumbing repairs, we’ll still find ourselves in a situation in which our drains become completely blocked and dysfunctional. And these types of residential or commercial plumbing problems are actually something that you should address quickly, because neglecting a clogged drain can lead to much worse issues.
And the hard truth is that many clogged drain issues will require the expertise of Beehive Plumbing’s team of Master Plumbers, but we’re here to inform you about certain DIY techniques that can work out within scenarios involving somewhat minor clogs.
So below are 6 DIY methods to help you deal with drain blockages prior to resorting to our services:
1. Baking Soda, Vinegar And Some Old-Fashioned Gravity!
Baking soda and vinegar can always go a long way when it comes to alleviating pesky drain clogs, and what you’ll immediately notice is that there will be a lot of fizzing once your mix about ½ a cup of both products into your clogged drain.
This fizzing will help out tremendously when it comes to breaking away a lot of gunk that has built up within your pipes over a long period of time, but the best way to make the most out of your baking soda/vinegar mixture is to place a stopper over the drain and let the baking soda and vinegar remain within your pipes for at least an hour.
What you’ll do next is fill up your bathtub or sink with hot water, and if the sink is small then you should fill up a large bucket or two with hot water right before removing the stopper. This natural water pressure will be the necessary force to help you dislodge any drain blockages that were just loosened up, and even plunging the drain simultaneously with the water weight can help too!
2. A Wet/Dry Vacuum
Wet/dry shop vacuums can many times be great tools when it comes to unclogging drains, and many commercial properties just so happen to have these types of vacuums readily available to them.
What you’ll end up doing is first set the vacuum to its liquid setting, and then make sure that the vacuum’s vents are covered up. You’ll then create a very tight seal over the drain, which for DIY purposes can be developed via an old plunger head that you don’t use anymore.
You’ll then insert the vacuum tube within your seal and turn it on to its maximum setting, and this force can sometimes be enough to bring clogs up to the fixture’s surface and into the vacuum. Although this DIY method may not always work out, it’s definitely a consideration to keep in mind!
3. Boiling Water
This is undoubtedly one of the easiest DIY unclogging tips we could possibly provide, and what you’ll essentially do is fill a tea kettle or small pot up with water and bring it to a boil.
Once you have your boiling water ready to go, you’ll then slowly pour it down the drain within 2-3 intervals. This is important because staggering the boiling water will help the water do its magic of a few seconds in between each pour.
Although this may seem too easy to unclog your pesky drain issue, there’s always a chance that this DIY method will go a long way in supporting the integrity of your property’s pipes!
4. Caustic Soda
Sodium hydroxide, often referred to as caustic soda, is a pretty intense cleaning agent that will have to be taken very seriously by home and business owners conducting a DIY drain unclogging project. This means that you’ll have to wear proper eye protection and rubber gloves while handling this product, mainly because there are high chances of people incurring chemical burns.
Although you can find caustic soda at just about any hardware store, it’s something that must always be handled with the utmost care. This type of caution is something we cannot reiterate enough for home and business owners considering this DIY method!
What you’ll end up doing is pour about a gallon of cold water into a large bucket, and then add around 3 caustic soda cups into the mixture. Then you should use an old wooden spoon to stir this mixture up as best as you can, and within a couple minutes you’ll notice that the mixture will start to heat up and fizz.
You’ll then pour this mixture into your clogged drain and let it sit there for about half an hour, and then you’ll flush the mixture down with boiling water. If that doesn’t work the first time, you can always keep repeating this process until the clog has been fully eliminated.
5. Baking Soda And Salt
This is a relatively easy DIY project, and it involves about a ½ cup of both baking soda and table salt that you’ll mix together and pour down your clogged drain.
What you’ll do is let this mixture sit within your drain for at least half an hour, and then flush it out with boiling water. The boiling water will then catalyze a chemical reaction within your drain that can go a long way towards dissolving pretty tough blockages!
6. Dish Detergent
Dish detergent is a particularly useful DIY tool for toilet repairs, and what you’ll do is pour about a ¼ cup of the dish detergent within your toilet bowl. You’ll then utilize a decent amount of boiling water and start pouring the hot water down the toilet while sporadically doing your best to plunge the blockage out.
Reach Out To The Master Plumbers At Beehive Plumbing For More Information About Unclogging Your Pesky Drains!
Beehive Plumbing has supported countless home and business owners throughout Northern Utah when it comes to unclogging drain blockages of all types, and there are many scenarios in which you’ll undoubtedly require our state-of-the-art plumbing technology to fully resolve your drain blockages once and for all.
Our team is always here to answer your questions and help you better understand what your drains may be going through, so always feel free to reach out to us online or call us at 801-661-8155 to get in touch with our plumbing specialists and let us know what you’re currently going through!
