Glurg…glurg…glurg. The water is draining far too slowly down the drain and every slow bubble mocks you as it rises to the top and pops.
Your drain is clogged up and you’ve got to clear it before it starts to stink. Here are some of our top tips for clearing a blocked drain.
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar
As long as the water is draining a little bit, you can use this method. Wait for the water to drain away until you think the clot is exposed. Dump a bit of baking soda down the drain and follow it with a little vinegar.
Mixing these substances creates a bubble action that can dissolve the clot. Be persistent, it might not work on the first try.
2. Drain Cleaner
Again, if the water is at least slowly trickling out, you can try to use a store-bought drain cleaner. This stuff is caustic, so go easy on it. Make sure not to breathe the fumes and avoid splashing the cleaner on your skin. Use as little as possible because it isn’t very good for the environment either.
3. Plunge It
A toilet plunger can be used for all types of drains, not just toilets. The suction action from placing the cupped end over the drain and pulling it up and down briskly can help dislodge the clog.
4. DIY Drain Snake
A DIY drain snake is very effective for clearing out shower drains that are primarily clogged with hair. Straighten out a metal coat hanger and put a hook on one end. Insert into the drain until you can grab the clog and pull it back out.
5. Plumber’s Drain Snake
If your DIY efforts have been less than effective, it’s time to call in the professionals. An effective tool is the plumber’s drain snake. This long, flexible cable is a much more sophisticated version than the coat hanger one.
6. CCTV Camera Inspection
Call a plumber for a CCTV drain inspection if you suspect the problem is worse than a hair or toilet paper clog. Some issues, like tree root blockages, cannot be handled from inside the pipe. But before you start tearing up your yard randomly, it’s a good idea to pinpoint where the blockage is located.
7. Excavation
If the blockage is deep in your system and can’t be cleared from inside the pipe, you’ll have to hire a professional plumber to start digging. Once they’ve pinpointed the problem with the camera, they will know exactly where to dig.
If the pipe is damaged, as in the case of tree roots, they can use pipe relining to replace the damaged section.
Enjoying a Clear Drain Once More
We hope one of these DIY methods works for you. But if not, a professional plumber will be able to get you on the track to clear drains once again!