There are few things as unappealing, or as inconvenient, as a clogged drain. It’s dirty, smelly, and just plain gross! Fortunately, it’s not something we have to deal with often. The good news is, you don’t have to call a plumber to unclog a drain. This are things you can do yourself, even if you know nothing about plumbing. Really! Here are 3 ways to unclog a drain fast. In 10 minutes or less, you can unclog a drain and get the water flowing freely again. Here’s how.
Is your clogged drain simply caused by hair?
In many cases, a clogged drain is caused by hair that has not yet entered the drain pipe. If you’re lucky, the culprit is lurking just beneath the sink stopper. Before you go through a complicated process, try this method first!
1. Go to the sink (or tub) and lift up the stopper. The stopper is the metal piece that covers the drain itself.
2. Root around with your finger and feel to see if there is any hair or other debris. If so, pull it out and discard it.
3. Grab a flashlight to get a better look and shine it beneath the stopper.
4. If you can see more hair that is out of reach, use a bent wire clothes hanger to maneuver it into the drain and remove the hair.
5. Run hot water down the drain to flush through any remaining hair or debris.
Unclog a drain with a plunger
One of the fastest and easiest ways to unclog a drain is with a plunger. When you use a plunger, it will usually create enough pressure to pull free whatever is causing the clogged drain. Use the same type of plunger you use to unclog the toilet when it gets stopped up, the follow these tips:
1. Press the plunger directly onto the drain.
2. Push down with all your might.
3. Pull the plunger up until it separates from the drain.
4. Repeat until the water begins to flow.
5. Run hot water down the drain to force any debris down and ensure the drain is clear.
Fix that clogged drain fast!
Sometimes, there is build-up inside the drain that is causing it to clog. If this is the case, removing hair and plunging won’t work to unclog it. What you’ll need to do is make up a quick, chemical-free, home remedy that will clear the pipes and allow water to flow through them freely again. Here’s what you’ll want to do:
1. Grab some baking soda and sprinkle it in and on the drain. If it just sits on top of the drain, that’s okay.
2. Pour white vinegar down the drain. Add as much vinegar as you can without overflowing the clogged drain. You’ll immediately be able to see the baking soda and vinegar start to go to work. Together, they will form bubbling carbon dioxide, which will naturally clear away any build-up.
3. Plug the drain with a stopper.
4. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
5. Remove the plug and run very hot water through the cleared drain pipe. The hot water will flush through any remaining debris from the build-up and unclog a drain entirely.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
What’s Causing Your Musty Basement Odor?
12 Ways to Enhance Curb Appeal
Invisible Dangers Lurking at Home
SOURCE:
Personal knowledge and experience