Sinks, tubs and showers that won’t drain are a common plumbing issue. They can be frustrating, causing you to deal with grime and buildup that needs to be cleaned and sometimes rendering the system unusable. When you need to unclog a drain, try some of these methods:
- Boiling Water – Sometimes you can unclog drains with a flush of hot water. Pour in as much boiling water as the drain can hold in two or three stages, letting the water soak in for a few seconds in between each pour.
- Baking soda and vinegar – This common cleaning solution can work on your pipes as well. Mix 1/3 cup vinegar and 1/3 cup baking soda and poor down your drain as soon as it starts fizzing. It will help to break down hair and grime that have been building up and causing your drain to clog. Leave the solution overnight then flush with hot water in the morning.
- Wet and dry vacuum – If you have a wet and dry vacuum, it can be very helpful to draw up a clog. Be careful to create a tight seal. then turn the vacuum on its highest setting.
- Cleaning the Pipes – This is something that must be done with care. Some people use a bent wire hanger to pull out gunk and hair. Be very careful that you don’t push buildup further down the pipe.
If you’ve tried a few a few methods without desired results, call us at Bodenheimer Plumbing Services, Inc. We are happy to come inspect problem areas and offer you effective solutions to unclog drains.
