The best way to deal with a blocked drain is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Regular maintenance is cheaper than emergency repairs. Flush your drains regularly with boiling water or a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to keep things moving. It works.
Still, clogs happen. Grease builds up. Hair accumulates. Something gets stuck. In most cases, you can fix the problem yourself. You do not need to pay a professional.
Natural Solutions for Minor Blockages
Some clogs are just buildup. They can be dissolved with household items.
Pour baking soda down the drain. Follow it with vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few hours. Then flush with hot water. The chemical reaction helps break down organic matter.
Grease is stubborn. It hardens when it cools. Use baking soda and salt. Scrub the mixture into the drain if you can. Follow with boiling water. The heat melts the fat. The abrasives help scour the pipe walls.
Regularly flushing your drains with boiling water or with a mixture of baking soda, cream of tartar and salt can help keep you drains clear.
Using a Plunger Correctly
Many people use plungers wrong. They waste time and get nowhere.
Cover the overflow opening with a damp cloth. If you do not seal it, the air escapes. The pressure is lost. Fill the basin with enough water to cover the bulb of the plunger. Submerging it is key.
Push the handle up and down. Do this many times. You are creating suction and pressure. Jerk the plunger up at the end. Break the seal violently. This shockwave often dislodges the blockage.
When to Use a Plumber’s Auger
The plunger failed. The clog is deeper. You need a plumber’s auger or snake.
Feed the cable through the plug hole of the basin or tub. You can also go through a floor drain. Or use the main clean-out where the drain leaves the building.
Turn the handle. Feed the cable until you meet resistance. You have hit the clog. Rotate the auger. Break up the mass. Pull it out.
Tree roots are a different beast. They grow into pipe joints. They crush pipes. A hand auger might not cut it. You may need a power auger or electric rooter. These machines spin at high speeds. You can rent them at home improvement stores. It is worth the rental fee if the roots are thick.
Don’t Forget the Traps
Kitchen sinks and toilets have traps. These are the P-shaped pipes under the sink. They hold water. The water seal stops sewer gas from rising into your home.
Maintain these traps. Check them regularly. If they leak, you have a problem. If they are blocked, water backs up.
You can buy replacement parts. Change the trap yourself. It is not hard. You just need the right size and some plumber’s tape.
It’s important to maintain these drain traps so they function properly; it’s a good idea to check them regularly.
Safety first. Wear gloves. Old drains harbor bacteria. Use eye protection if you are working overhead.
If none of this works, the blockage might be in the main
