Wondering how to fix the drain line blockage? There are multiple ways you can deal with this problem at home. Blocked drains can be sorted using plungers, drain snakes, straightened-out hangers, and homemade liquid concoctions. These concoctions can easily clear out the grime and gunk stuck to your drain in a matter of minutes.
Soda is also useful for fixing clogged drains. Coke and Pepsi have high acidity levels and can wash out grime easily. However, soda is recommended for stubborn clogs as soda can leave behind sugary stickiness.
Let’s consider some DIY drain opening tips below.
Remove Any Visible Blockage
How to fix drain line blockage can include many steps. The first step is to remove all standing water. This is particularly important as standing water breeds bacteria and mold easily and can be very unhygienic. Also, remove visible blockages from the drain, such as leftover food bits or hair.
Homemade Concoctions
Get clogged drains often? Try creating a homemade concoction that can effectively unclog the drain. You can use these concoctions for both sink and bathroom drains. A homemade concoction is not only safe and easy to make and use but also does not inflict any damage on your drainage pipes.
You can create a good homemade concoction to unclog drains by mixing baking soda and vinegar. This is a tried and tested concoction and works well. It functions similarly to a chemical cleaner but is safe to use.
Start by pouring some hot water down the drain. Next, add baking soda, followed by vinegar, and then cover your drain. Let it be for twenty to thirty minutes, and then pour some hot water. This will cause a chemical reaction that will clear out the obstruction.
You can also use a mixture made of baking and salt. Pour an equal amount of each down your drain, and then add hot water.
Mixing salt, lemon, and vinegar can also work. Create a mixture by mixing equal portions of salt and vinegar. Add a few drops of lemon juice and pour it down your drain. Let it sit for at least thirty minutes, and then pour hot water.
Simply pouring a mixture of salt and hot water can also be effective. Salt is useful in the absorption of bacteria and also has anti-sceptic qualities.
Create a Hook Using a Clothes Hanger or Drain Snake
Another tip for how to fix drain line blockages is using a straightened-out clothes hanger. You can fish around the drain and detect the source of obstruction through the hanger’s hook. You can, similarly, also use a drain snake. A drain snake can be purchased from your nearby hardware store and offers more flexibility when reaching into the drain. A straightened-out hanger can be your DIY drain snake if you cannot purchase one. These tools are used to fix clogs easily and within moments. They pull out all gunk that may be standing in the way within your drain.
Use a Plunger
A plunger is effective in clearing out blocked drains very easily. This tool should always be at hand and can easily be utilized if needed. Fill your sink with about two or three inches of water using a plunger. Next, fix the plunger on the drain and push it forward and backward for a few minutes. This will build air pressure within the drain, and the clog can be dismantled.
Use Soda
It has been proved that soda is effective at clearing out clogged drains. Carbonated beverages can dissolve clogged materials sticking to your sink. Soda can also clear away grease effectively and is much safer to use than other store-bought drain openers. Use approximately two liters of soda. This can be either Coke or Pepsi, and pour it down the drain. Wait for an hour, and then pour some clear water down the drain to flush off any other loosened materials.
Soda is best used for more stubborn blockages. The acidity levels of these drinks are high; thus, they can clear out grime. But they can also leave back a sticky residue to the sugar present. Therefore, using an ingredient like baking soda is a better idea if you have a small blockage.
Why Does My Drain Keep Clogging?
There can be many reasons why your home’s drains may keep clogging. Living in an old house can be one reason. Older structures are more prone to clogged drains and leakages. This is because aged structures usually attract gunk with the wall's interior. One way to deal with this is to detect the areas that experience the most blockages are replace those pipes. Installing a system to detect leaks and regulate water flow can also help.
Tools Required to Unclog Drains
As a homeowner, you should know how to fix drain line blockage. Purchasing some necessary, inexpensive equipment can help unclog drains easily. This includes flashlights, a bucket, gloves, a plunger, and a drain snake. A plunger can exert much force through its rubber bell and handle. A drain snake gives the flexibility to reach out into the drain pipe and manually remove the source of the blockage.
Signs of Clogged Drains
The very first sign of a clogged drain is an unpleasant odor. This smell resembles sewage and makes you question if you forgot to flu> sh the toilet. However, the stink is caused by the drain getting clogged. This stink tends to wear off once the blockage has been tended to.
Another sign of a clogged drain is the drain overflowing. If the water begins filling your sink and comes back up, your drain is blocked.
Also, if you hear a gurgling sound, the water is pooling within the pipe and pushing. Another sign of clogged rain is when water drains rather slowly. This may happen in the sink or the bathtub. If the water filling the fixture is a lot, your drain needs to be tended to immediately.
Concluding Thoughts
Blocked drains can be incredibly inconvenient. The above-listed tips and tricks can help fix drain line blockage. You can try these DIY remedies at home and tend to a blocked drain. Remember, practice makes perfect. You will be able to resolve a clogged drain with some practice in no time.
However, if the DIY techniques do not work, your drains may face a major blockage. Contact us at the Mesa Plumbing Company, and our experienced plumbers will attend to the problem straight away.