All homeowners come face to face with clogged drains—it’s just a part of owning a house. While it may be easy and tempting to reach for liquid drain cleaner, there are much better ways to unclog a drain and ones that won’t hurt your pipes. The master plumbers at Martens Plumbing & Heating put together some of their favorite ways to unclog a drain, all using things you already have around the house.
Boil Water
Our first tip is also the easiest—simply boil water in a pot. Once it’s ready, pour it down the clogged drain in shifts, waiting a few seconds in between each rinsing to let the hot water go to work dislodging and flushing away gunk and grime. You may have to repeat the process a couple times to completely unblock the drain, but this easy (and inexpensive) tip works on most blockages.
Wire Hangar
Another simple but effective way to unclog a drain is to grab a wire hangar from your closet. Straighten it out as much as you can, then curl one end into a small hook. Fish that end into the drain—the hook should catch around the hair and other gunk built up inside. Pull the hangar out, clean off the hook, and snake it down the drain until it stops pulling things up. When you’re done, run hot water through the drain to clear out any remaining debris.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
When combined, baking soda and vinegar work similarly to liquid drain cleaner but aren’t as harsh on your pipes. Mix together 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of vinegar. The result will fizz almost immediately—it’s important that you pour it down your clogged drain right away so you don’t lose the effects of that reaction. Let everything sit for at least an hour (if possible, leave it overnight for best result) before flushing the drain with hot water.
Baking Soda and Salt
Similar to the previous tip, the combination of baking soda and salt can help unclog a drain—the two create a chemical reaction that can help clear up even the worst of blockages. Mix ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of baking soda and pour it into your clogged pipe. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes, then follow with boiling water to rinse everything away.
For More Plumbing Help, Turn to the Experts at Martens Plumbing
If you followed these tips and still experience drain clogs or water backups, call the master plumbers at Martens Plumbing. With state-of-the-art materials and our commitment to getting the job done right the first time, our team handles everything from cleaning drains and sewer lines to water treatment and fixture installations. Call us today for service at 262-363-7146 or make an appointment online.
