DIY Plumbing Tips
DIY Clogged Drain Tricks
There is nothing more frustrating than a clogged drain. Whether the water simply won’t run out of the sink or tub or when it takes more time than you want to spend standing there waiting, a clogged drain quickly becomes a nightmare for most people. While clogged drain prevention is best, there are a number of DIY tricks that can help you resolve the problem you’re facing.
Causes of a Clogged Drain
Food, hair, and other particles are common causes of a clogged drain. In so many instances, the clog occurs deep within the pies rather than simply underneath the J-line. At-home snakes are great for such clogs, but if you don’t have one available, a metal clothes hanger may do the trick or you can give DJ Plumbing a call. See our complete list of plumbing services.
DIY Clogged Drain Repair Tricks
There are several other at-home solutions that homeowners swear by for clogged drain issues. You might wish to try them out for yourself. Those solutions include:
- Running hot water inside of a toilet that is clogged may very well help push down the culprit of the clog. Sometimes hot water alone isn’t enough, however.
- Dawn dish liquid (or your favorite brand of powerful dish soap) followed by a gallon or two of hot water is a recommended solution that many homeowners have used with success. Simply squirt a small amount of dish liquid into the toilet and pour ½ gallon of hot water on top. Allow the mixture to sit for a period of 10 to 15 minutes, then flush. Nine times out of 10 this will resolve the clogged drain!
- Vinegar and Alka Seltzer: Another tried and true trick used by homeowners involves the use of anti-heartburn pills and vinegar. To try this trick, simply drop three tablets of Alka Seltzer into your toilet, followed by one cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit in the toilet for a period of about 15 minutes, and then flush.
- Baking Soda: baking soda and water is also a household clogged drain fix that is used by many people. You might wish to also try this trick. You need only ½ cup of baking soda and hot water. As with the other tricks, you need to put the baking soda into the toilet, wait the few minutes of time, pour in the water, then flush.
The next time you have a clogged drain; do not take the problem lightly. Put these solutions to work, and you may very well find the problem gone like magic. Why not try to make your own plumbing repair and save yourself quite a bit of cash at the same time?
Avoid Drain Cleaner
There are many professional strength drain cleaners sold at home improvement stores. You can pick these up for $20 or less. While they may provide you with short term clog solutions, they are hazardous to the health of your septic system, and may cause greater damage than the clog that is at hand. Think long and hard before you use a drain cleaner. If you opt to use one, do so only sparingly and when nothing else has done the trick.
The Bottom Line
There are many DIY tricks that homeowners have adapted over the years that may work to eliminate your clogged drains. Try them out, and you can save yourself time and money, you might not need a plumber. These solutions have worked for many people. However, if, despite your best efforts, the clog still persists, give DJ Plumbing a call and we’ll immediately send someone to your home to assess the situation and get your drain unclogged!
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