Clogged Drain? Try These Tricks Before Calling a Plumber

Clogged Drain Try These Tricks Before Calling a Plumber from North Carolina Lifestyle Blogger Adventures of Frugal Mom

A clogged drain isn’t just a nuisance, it can send you into a full-blown panic.  There’s no telling if your house could flood and cost you thousands in damage. Unfortunately, anyone who’s ever called a plumber before knows how expensive it is for their services.  Therefore, it’s ideal to try to fix your drain yourself if possible.

If you find yourself with a clog, take a look at some of the most effective tricks to give a whirl before you reach for the phone book.

Wire Hanger

This may seem too simple to be true, but it’s effective!  Go in your closet and find a regular old wire hanger. Untwist it all the way, forming a hook at the very end and put it down your drain as if you were going fishing.

Once you reach the clogged portion of the drain twist several times and then attempt to pull upwards.  Hopefully, the result will be dislodging the clog and freeing up the passage. This is an old plumber’s trick, which usually does the job!

Drain Cleaner / Vinegar

If you have any clog remover or drain cleaner laying around, then use that!  A lot of people hesitate since it can be incredibly toxic; however, it’s very effective.  Simply pour down the drain and wait it out until the drain clears.

If you don’t have any drain cleaner, then you can resort to a natural solution like vinegar. Vinegar is a natural acid and will assist in eating away at any debris blocking the passageway. It may not be strong enough for a major clog, but for soft clogs, it will easily do the trick.

Simply boil a full pot of water, add baking soda and pour down the drain, followed by a generous amount of vinegar.  This will create a fizzy reaction, which will likely free up the clog. After about 20 minutes, add another pot of boiling hot water.

Salt

Similar to the vinegar solution, this method involves the same process, only you substitute salt for vinegar.  It’s just as effective and may smell less, well, vinegary.

Wet Vac

If all else fails, suction may be your best chance at freeing up the clog. A wet vac has just enough suction to free up whatever is blocking your drain and bring it up.  Just make sure that you have the correct attachment for using it on a drain.

Ultimately, the best way to handle clogged drains is to avoid them happening in the first place.  Try to be aware of anything that shouldn’t be near your drain which could risk getting lodged if it falls down.  

For extra precaution, you should consider installing mesh screens over every drain in the house.  This way you’ll stop hair and other debris from forming clogs.

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