How to Clean a Clogged Drain

Drains are an important part of the plumbing system and the home as a whole. They carry waste materials and dirty water from our sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, and more to the sewer system. When drains get clogged, they can back up and result in a big mess in your home. If you get a clogged drain, there are some simple steps you can take to clear it. Follow these steps.

  1. 1. Remove any hair or soap scum that might clog the drain. Just remove the drain cover and pull out any clumps with your fingers. If your drains aren’t protected by a drain cover, you should pick up drain covers or drain strainers for each one. A cover or strainer will block clumps of hair or soap from getting into the drain, which reduces the odds of getting a clogged drain. Drain covers only cost a few dollars each, and they are a worthwhile investment of your time and money.
  1. 2. If there are additional clumps blocking the drain that you can’t reach, trying using a drain cleaning tool, such as the Zip-It. The Zip-It and similar tools are just a long, thin piece of plastic with teeth along the sides and a small handle on the top. You push the tool down the drain, and it grabs on to any debris in the drain. Pull the tool back out of the drain, throw the gunk away, and your drain should be clean. You can pick up one of these tools at a big box store for less than $5.
  1. 3. If you want to clean your drains without having to go out to the store for supplies, you probably have the ingredients that you need in your home to make an all-natural drain cleaner. Just mix ¼ cup of salt with 1 cup of baking soda. Pour this mixture down the clogged drain, and let it sit for a few hours. When a few hours have passed, boil a combination of one cup white vinegar and one cup of water in a bowl. Then pour this mixture down the drain. The combination of the vinegar and baking soda will cause fizzing and foaming and will disintegrate the clog. Continue to pour the combination of vinegar and water down the drain until the fizzing stops. When there is no more reaction from the addition of the vinegar and water, then flush the drain with plain, cold water. It’s important to make sure that you have completely flushed the vinegar out of the drain, because vinegar that is left to sit in the drain can cause corrosion.

These easy steps can unclog your drain for a minimum of time, effort, and money. If you have a bigger drain clog that requires professional attention, call Scott English Plumbing. At Scott English Plumbing, we have experienced, reliable professional plumbers who are prepared to address all of your plumbing problems. We have been maintaining and repairing the plumbing systems of clients in Orange County for more than 19 years. Our services include:

  • • Drain cleaning
  • • Plumbing inspections
  • • Video inspections
  • • Slab leak detection and repair
  • • Electronic leak detection
  • • Backflow testing
  • • Standard and tankless water heaters
  • • Garbage disposals
  • • Water softeners
  • • Kitchens and bathrooms
  • • Tubs, toilets, showers, and faucets.

We also provide emergency service. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address any plumbing crisis that might arise. Just call Scott English Plumbing, and our helpful operators will send an experienced plumber to your home to address the problem right away, day or night.

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