Every one must have experienced a clogged drain at some point or the other. But fixing it is not that difficult as it sounds. You first need to know the location of the clog and thereafter you can try out a number of easy solutions to get rid of it. Below are some tips that you can try out before going in for some professional help.
Whenever you have a clogged drain, the first step is to open the drain strainer completely so that you can see and remove the particles that were causing the clog. The most common reasons behind a clogged drain are hair, food particles, sediment build ups etc. So, the drain stopper should be cleaned regularly to remove all these materials otherwise it can lead to major clog.
Another easy solution that you can try out at home is to pour 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the drain. Leave it for some time and then put plenty of hot water. This can break the clog and can help clearing the drain.
Use a drain snake to find and break up the clog. Remove the drain stopper or strain and use the snake (or plumber’s auger) to explore the drain until you find the clog, at which point you can hook, loosen, and break up the clog.
Apply force to the offending clog with a plunger. By stopping other drains to the same pipe, and applying petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger, you can apply the maximum suction force to loosen whatever substance is clogging your pipes. You can test the results by running hot water down the drain.
Tough chemical solutions can dissolve tough clogs. There are various products available in the market which are specifically designed to clear up clogged drains, just be sure to try other options first, since the chemicals involved can be less than healthy for the environment.
If you have good knowledge about the plumbing system, then you can even try out other more complicated methods to fix the issue like dismantling the fixture and then reassembling it again. But if not, then it is better to leave more complicated issues for the experts only otherwise you can end up causing more damage than repair.
Take some time out to find a good and a reputed plumber for your home as this is really important. You can take help from the internet or can also ask your friends and neighbors. Once hired, you can also ask for some general tips to keep the plumbing system in good condition.