For metal pipes that often get clogged with hair, soap scum and grease, this old school homemade solution might be the way to go. Be careful not to use this method regularly, though, because it can corrode your pipes.
Grab a wire coat hanger and straighten it out so that one end becomes a hook. Then, send it down the drain to pull up gunk and hair.
These helpful tips can only work on some small drain issues. For bigger problems with a drain, it is helpful to call a professional plumber from Melbourne.
Boil Water
If your clogged drain is caused by grease, pouring copious amounts of boiling water may help. However, experts advise against this technique because it can actually damage your pipes.
Most home clogs are caused by hair, sanitary napkins, heavy toilet paper or cooking grease. Most of these materials are trapped in the drain’s trap, which is located right below the drain opening.
To unclog these clogs, you can try using a drain snake or pouring hot water down the pipe. However, if you don’t have one of these tools, you can also try a few different DIY life hacks to break down the clog and get your plumbing back up and running.
Aside from pouring a pot of boiling water, these clog-fighting hacks include using baking soda and salt or a hand-held drain snake. Read on to learn more about these handy home remedies and see if they can help your clogged drain. If they don’t, it might be time to call a plumber.
Wire Snake
A wire snake is an effective tool for unclogging drains in cases where a plunger hasn’t worked. You can purchase one at your local hardware store for under $50. There are many types of snakes available, from a flat tape snake that can easily clear away light hair clogs to a power snake that can break up tougher obstructions in sewer lines.
When using a wire snake, you should always be careful not to push it too far into the pipe. This can cause the cable to twist around itself and snag on things in the pipe. Instead, slowly crank the handle of the snake as you push it into the drain.
Once you feel resistance, you can then start to rotate the snake’s corkscrew end that helps to break up and dislodge the clog. You can also run a stream of hot water down the sink while you’re using the snake to help flush the pipe.
Baking Soda & Salt
A little bit of baking soda and salt can go a long way to unclogging your drains. This innovative DIY solution is a safe, inexpensive, and eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemical cleaners that can damage your pipes.
Hair, soap scum, grease, and food particles can collect on the inside of your drains
over time. These substances can build up to clog your sink and toilets, requiring the assistance of a professional plumber.
The coarse grit of baking soda can loosen the grime in your pipes and dissolve it. When combined with vinegar, an alkaline substance, the mixture can cause a fizzing reaction to dislodge stubborn clogs.
After pouring the mixture down your drain, allow it to sit for about an hour. Then, flush the drain with a pot of boiling water. Repeat as needed to keep your drains clean and unclogged. This easy and affordable trick can help you avoid the need to call a professional plumber!
Wire Hanger
While jabbing an unbent coat hanger into a drain pipe will occasionally dislodge some gunk, it often pushes the clog deeper into the pipes. Using a pair of needle nose pliers, straighten the coat hanger into one long piece while leaving the hook intact. Unwind the end of the hanger and insert it into the toilet drain, moving it around and wriggling it as you go. Once you feel resistance, that’s where your clog is hiding. Pull the hanger out, and be sure to sanitize it afterward.
If your toilet clog is serious enough to require more drastic measures, a plumber snake with a coiled spring at the end of a long flexible cable can break apart even the most stubborn blockages. If you can’t find a DIY solution, however, you should call in a professional right away before the problem worsens to avoid expensive plumbing repairs. Water damage from a blocked drain can quickly become catastrophic.