Plumbing is one of those things that nobody thinks about until it's too late, causing water damage that impacts property value. Unfortunately for them, it’s usually when there’s a foot of water on the floor, a broken pipe flooding the backyard, or their drain is completely clogged.
Fortunately, though, there are some signs to watch for before it gets that bad. And when you notice these signs, it’s possible to dislodge that blockage in your drain and get your water flowing freely again before it becomes a big problem.
Signs of clogged drains
Here are some of the signs your drains could need a good clean out:
- Your toilet is bubbling
- There is a musty, nauseating odor
- Water is backing up in your sicks, showers and baths
- Water takes a while to drain
- You hear a gurgling sound coming from the drains
- Puddles of water on the floor near any sinks or tubs
- Toliet does not flush
A number of things can clog your drains, but the most common causes are a build-up of grease, food, or soap in the kitchen; hair, soap, and toothpaste in the bathroom; toilet paper, wipes, and paper towels in the toilet.
Mould and mildew can also cause issues with your pipes. So, what do you do? Here are some of the best options.
1. Start with DrainO
Unclogging your own drain is one of those things that you don’t have to be a qualified plumber to do. If you find that a drain in your house is clogged, start with DrainO. DrainO is a chemical mixture that causes a violent reaction, using its acidic properties to eat through whatever is clogging your drain. Follow the instructions carefully and stand back while it does the work.
2. Use a natural solution
If you're not that keen on using chemicals in your home, there's a natural solution for your drain clogging woes. Chief among these natural de-cloggers is a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. The reaction between the two will cause the food or other blocking item to break down by the force of the chemical reaction and hopefully free your drain.
3. Break out the snake
Otherwise, it’s time to bring out the snake and stick that down the hole, in the hopes of unclogging the drain. The snake is a long metal wire, with a coil on the end-user to collect and pull up whatever is clogging your drain.
The snake is mostly used for the more tricky clogging, such as food, or bunched-up toilet paper. While usually in a plumber's toolkit, the snake should also remain part of your own personal home plumbing toolkit.
You may need to try a different angle of attack when it comes to using the snake, depending on the location of the blockage. This may require the cutting of some piping before you can access the pipe. Only do this with a pipe cutter if you're confident in your abilities, or, if not, be sure to call in the plumber.
4. Use the good old plunger
This should perhaps be the first thing that you try - the old plunger method. This is relatively simple. Plunge away at your clogged drain till the blockage is shifted. The pressure created by the air forced down the pipe by the plunger will hopefully be sufficient to move whatever the blockage is. Plungers must be used whilst simultaneously blocking any other route for the air pressure built up to escape, make sure to plug any other air gaps such as overflows before you start giving it all you've got.
What about the shower or tub?
While it is less common, bathtubs and shower drains can indeed become blocked too. These will build up over time, rather than be an immediate problem, as the hair becomes trapped in the drain. To solve this problem, simply remove the drain cover, cover the overflow pipe with a cloth (while pressing against it) and plunge away.
You can also use a snake in this instance, too. Be sure to keep your drains as clean as possible to prevent a recurrence. A good investment is a drain guard for your bathtub, used to catch all of those stray hairs.
No matter the plumbing project, it goes without saying that if you are unsure of your work, you should have it checked over by a professional. However, it doesn’t hurt to try things for yourself and see how you make out. Unclogging a drain is a relatively simple skill that everyone needs to learn how to do, but if the above tips don’t work (or you don’t have the time yourself), call in a plumber.