How to Unclog a Drain

Clogged drains are among the most annoying things in a home, whether they are in the kitchen or in the toilet. The mess created by them can be unbearable at times. A clogged drain can cause a lot of trouble in just a few minutes, but a plumber is not going to be at your service in so short a time. Therefore, you should know how to unclog it and avoid the mess. The steps are relatively simple and have been given below. Keep baking soda and a suction cup at your home all the time.

These two are really handy when it’s your time to act as a plumber. If the drain is moderately clogged, run hot water down it for 5-10 minutes, before trying the steps below.

Kitchen Remedies

• Pour half a cup of baking soda on the drain. If the drain is covered with water, just get the baking soda in the water. This not only unclogs the drain, but also prevents bad odor.

• Baking soda and vinegar can be used to make a homemade drain cleaner. Pour half a cup of both the ingredients down the drain, one after the other. Baking soda and vinegar form fumes, which are helpful in unclogging. Let the mixture be present in the drain for around three hours before running water over it.

• If the drain is clogged because of grease or some other kitchen materials, add half a cup of salt over the baking soda and vinegar. Then pour boiling water down the drain. Vinegar and salt combine to form a component that breaks down substances and clears the drain.

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Tips

• Double the quantity of the materials used to clear larger drains.

• White vinegar is the best type to use.

• Make sure to follow the order of the ingredients poured down the drain; i.e. baking soda, vinegar, salt and boiling water.

Plunger and Suction Cup

1. The basin must have standing water. If there isn’t any, fill the basin with about two to three inches of water. The height of the water must be enough to cover the plunger’s head or the suction cup.

2. If an overflow hole or another drain is present, stuff them both with rags to build up pressure.

3. Cover the drain with a plunger, and pump it up and down. The water in the drain creates a seal. You should feel water moving in and out of the drain, which builds up enough pressure to unclog the drain. Keep doing this for a few minutes.

4. Remove the plunger quickly with force. The water should now go down the drain. If it doesn’t, then repeat the steps.

Tips

• The plunger must cover the drain completely and should be pumped tightly over it to create suction.
• The greater the force applied in pumping, the better the plunger will work.
• Covering the base of the plunger with petroleum jelly will create a better seal.
• Use a small plunger if your sink is rounded or the plunger doesn’t fit tightly over the drain.
• If none of this works, then try using a chemical drainer.

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