When you find yourself dealing with a clogged drain, it can be a frustrating experience that you assume will result in a costly repair bill from a plumber. However, that’s not always the case. In fact, you may be surprised to learn there are many ways you may be able to unclog your drain, all of which will cost you little or nothing. Rather than panic at the sight of a clogged drain, here are some options you’ll have up your sleeve.
Hot Water
When your drain gets clogged, especially in the kitchen, hot water may be able to come to your rescue. Should you suspect the clog is due to grease, boil a pot of hot water and add a small amount of dishwashing soap to the mix. Once you have your hot and soapy water, slowly begin pouring it down the drain. Even if you have to repeat this a couple of times, it almost always works.
Plunger
In many cases, you can reach for your plunger and find yourself able to clear a clogged drain. Able to be used in any type of sink, this will work best if you first fill the sink halfway with warm water, then start plunging. If all goes well, the food that was clogging up your drain will be pushed through the pipes.
Wire Coat Hanger
If you have a wire coat hanger available, straighten it out and insert the hook end into the drain. The experts at Butt Plumbing or at your local plumbing service will tell you this is often an easy way to fish out any food or hair that may be clogging your drain. However, if you push the hanger too hard, you may actually get it stuck, creating yet another problem. Should this happen, you’ll need to rely on your chosen plumbing company to solve your drain dilemma.
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Baking Soda and Vinegar
Last but not least, you can always try the combination of baking soda and vinegar to clear your drain. Begin by pouring one-half cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by one-half cup of vinegar. Plug your drain, let the mixture work its magic for one hour, then unplug your drain and attempt to pour hot water down the drain. Before you know it, your drain should be clog-free.
Instead of assuming you’ll always need a plumber for a clogged drain, give these options a try. Whether it’s a pot of hot water, the wire coat hanger, or something else, your drain can get unclogged in the blink of an eye.