Drain clogs come in all shapes and sizes. They can occur suddenly when you try to force too much down a drain at once, or they canbuild up slowly over time. Although some drain clogs are very difficult to fix and require the help of a professional Bay Area plumber, others can be fixed with a few do-it-yourself tricks. Today we’re going to talk about the best ways to unclog a drain and when it’s best to call a plumber!
Best ways to unclog a drain in your Bay Area Home
- Hook it with a wire hanger. If your clog is close enough to the surface that you can see it when peering down the drain, you might be able to remove it with a wire hanger. Bend your hanger so that most of it is straight, and then form a hook at the bottom. Lower the hanger down the drain and try to catch the clog with the hook.
- Use a plunger. A plunger isn’t just a great tool for unclogging toilets; it can be useful for drain clogs anywhere in your home. If you’re using the plunger on a sink or bathtub that has an overflow drain, make sure to cover that drain with a towel or rag before applying pressure with the plunger.
- Baking soda and vinegar. When you combine baking soda and vinegar, they create a “volcano eruption effect” that can help break up certain drain clogs. Pour about a half a cup of each down your drain and cover the drain up. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse it with hot water. You can repeat this process numerous times for stubborn clogs.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners
You might have noticed that we didn’t recommend using any of the chemical drain cleaners that are available at the store. That’s because those products can corrode and damage your drains, which will end up doing more harm than good.
Can’t fix the problem? Call Cabrillo!
If you’ve tried the methods above and you can’t seem to unclog your drain, give Cabrillo a call! We are experts at cleaning and unclogging drains, and we have many different tools at our disposal to take care of even the toughest clogs.
If you have any questions about the best way to unclog a drain, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.