Plumbers
DIY: Tips on How to Unclog a Drain
by Business Listings Editor
SgFave.com - 03 Sep 2015 09:51 AM | 03 Sep 2015 03:27 PM
Photo Credit: ©iStock.com
You get up in the morning and wash your face, and you notice that your drain is just as sluggish as your brain in those wee hours of the morning. And that’s when you get a sinking feeling, no pun intended.
This is because you know that a sluggish drain is a big warning sign of a clogged drain. And you know that this small inconvenience can quickly turn into a big nasty mess if you don’t deal with it immediately.
However, before you call in someone to troubleshoot this problem for you, you can perhaps try some of the following simple DIY home remedies first:
- Bent Wire – a straightened wire coat hanger or any regular wire may be used. Create a hook at one end and push it past the drain opening.
With a bit of wiggling, you may be able to fish out all sorts of nasty stuff. After repeating this a few times and only when satisfied enough that there are no more gunk left, pour in hot water to tidy things up nicely.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar – pour about ¾-1 cup baking soda into the drain followed by ½ cup vinegar, and then cover the drain immediately.
After letting this concoction sit for about an hour (or you can leave it overnight), flush down with hot water for about 2-3 minutes.
The chemical reaction caused by vinegar mixing with baking soda will loosen all the gunk lining up your sink. As an added bonus, it will deodorize your sink too!
- Wet Vacuum – if you have one, this can be a useful tool to unclog a drain. With a tight seal over the drain and the wet vacuum on its highest setting, you may be able to suck the clog out and into the vacuum bag.
- Drain Snake – similar in concept to the bent wire hanger, the drain snake can be an effective tool in capturing clogged matter when done right.
A Plumber's Snake (drain snake) Photo Credit: flyinglow via Flickr (Creative Commons)