How to Unclog a Drain

One of the most frustrating plumbing issues you can experience is a clogged drain. If this problem is not fixed immediately, you could accidently render your sink toilet, or tub useless, or even flood your floor, possibly resulting in further repairs. Drain cleaners are mostly ineffective for severe clogs, plus they are not an environmentally-friendly option. Before you contact a plumber, there are ways you could attempt to resolve the issue on your own.

The following are tips on how to unclog a drain yourself:

• Flush with a tea kettle full of boiling water. If you believe you have a slow drain derived from meager blockage, a simple boiling water flush can be an easy solution. Once the sink or tub completely drained, flush with water. However, if you have PCV piping, just use hot water since these pipes can soften or melt with water over 175 degrees.
• Use a plunger. For better results, try placing a strip of duct tape on top of the overflow drain, located at the top of the sink or tub. This tactic will force the water or air down the drain and into the clog.
• Purchase a drain snake. Particularly useful if you believe your drain is clogged with hair, visit a department store and buy a small drain snake or long pipe cleaner and use it to dislodge or pull out what’s clogging your drain. However, you could use a wire coat hanger with a small bend at the end of it. Be careful not to inadvertently damage the drain or pipes.

If your pipes are suffered any sort of damage, contact our Los Angeles home repiping company today.