If you haven’t heard us say it before, the number one thing you should know when it comes to clogged drains: IS TO STAY AWAY FROM CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS! That doesn’t mean you need to give your plumber a call every time you get a clog though. There are actually quite a few home remedies that work well, none of which involve harsh chemicals, yet most of which will work just as good as any retail chemical drain cleaner. These are our top 3…
- A good ole’ handy dandy plunger: It’s not just for toilets!
When our customers think of a toilet clog, they automatically grab a plunger, which is actually the right thing to do! However, when a bathroom sink, shower, or tub drain gets clogged we suddenly lose control and instead of calling a plumber, are quick to grab some chemical pollutants to try and make it right. Wrong! Just grab your plunger! 4 out of 5 times a plunger works great at pulling hair and scum out of a bathroom drain. Try it out!
- Baking soda and vinegar: Making volcanoes in the bathroom!
Similar to chemical drain cleaners, mixing baking soda and vinegar causes a chemical reaction, which we have all seen in old childhood experiments of exploding volcanos. Unlike chemical drain cleaners, however, baking soda and vinegar are not harsh chemicals, and instead of eating away at the hair and scum in your drains, together they help loosen the particles that are stuck in the drain, in order to help clear them away. This process often has to be repeated a few times, but try it! Pour 1 tablespoon of baking soda down the drain, followed by about 2 cups of vinegar. Let it set for about 5 minutes and then follow it with 1 quart of boiling hot water.
- Dish soap and hot water: It says degreaser for a reason!
Everyday liquid dish soap is a great way to cut through kitchen drain clogs often caused by grease buildup. The best dish soap is one that contains a “DEGREASER” which it will usually say on the bottle. Our favorite is the blue Dawn dish soap. Approximately 2 tablespoons of Dawn followed by 1 quart of boiling hot water repeated 2-3 times will usually do the trick. Try it out!
If none of these recommendations work, or if more than one drain is clogged in your home at the same time, you might be facing a bit of a deeper issue and we recommend that you stop all water usage in your home and give us a call immediately! We’re always here to help!