The dreaded drain clog will affect each of us at some point in our life. Whatever the cause, learning how to unclog a drain is crucial to getting your plumbing back in working order. It might be due to flushing a lot of toilet paper, letting hair go down the shower drain, or putting grease down the garbage disposal.

We chatted with a plumbing professional to get his advice on the best ways to clear clogs from different drains, including sinks and toilets. Here is what he recommends.

Set the Drain Cleaner Down

Most of us have a bottle of drain cleaner on hand, so I’m sure I’m not the only one. When you realize your drain is clogged, your first instinct could be to reach for the bottle under your sink. However, experts advise that you first try using a plunger or drain snake to unclog your drains.

The majority of drain cleaners function by igniting a chemical reaction inside your drain pipe, frequently with the aid of hydrochloric acid. The heat that is normally produced by these reactions has the potential to permanently harm the pipe. This is particularly true if the cleaner doesn’t completely or immediately dissolve the clog, as the liquid chemicals will then sit on top of the obstruction. In contrast, only a small portion of the pipe is affected by the chemical reaction. Even though occasionally utilizing a drain cleaner isn’t a big deal, using the plunger first will be better for your plumbing (and maybe your cash).

How to Clear a Clogged Toilet

There will be a time in your life when you need to unclog a toilet. Be at ease, though! The appropriate equipment makes unclogging a toilet straightforward. First and foremost, avoid the desire to flush the toilet again if the bowl isn’t draining. While you might think that doing so will help the clog move down the drain, in practice, it typically only leads to the toilet bowl overflowing, which leaves you with a bigger mess to clean up. Grab a toilet plunger instead; it should have an extension flange on the bell’s end. This type of plunger makes sealing the toilet bowl properly much simpler (and you can also use it on other drains by flipping the flange up into the bell).

When plunging a toilet, make sure the bowl is filled with water and position the plunger so the bell makes a seal over the drain. Don’t push too hard on the first push; if you descend too quickly, air inside the bell may cause water to spout out of the bowl. Yuck. Push the plunger many times once the air has been released and a good seal has been made. A clog should be removed by the drain’s back and forth motion. You’ll hear a draining noise after a minute or two of plunging, which means your efforts were successful.

Particularly if your home has a septic tank, you should refrain from dumping any chemicals down the toilet drain. If this is released into the drain field or backs up into the yard, it may obstruct the natural decomposition of materials in your septic tank and harm the ecosystem.

Unclogging a Sink Drain

There are a few ways to flush a blocked sink in your kitchen or bathroom. The first method is the simplest: boil some water in your tea kettle, then pour it down the sink. The soap scum or grease that is the source of the problem is frequently easily removed by using hot water.

You may also manufacture your own drain cleaner using common household ingredients by mixing vinegar and baking soda in equal amounts and pouring it down the drain. This will cause foam to build and fizzle. This works best if there isn’t any standing water in the sink because the reaction needs to take place close to the clog.

In vain? Then purchase a plunger. You may use the flange of your toilet plunger, or there are little plungers made for sinks. Plungers are a great tool for unclogging clogged sinks as well as clogged toilets. To create suction, add a few inches of water to the sink. Then, slowly and steadily plunge up and down. After many plunges, the blockage ought to start to dissolve, and the water ought to drain. It’s time to hire a skilled plumber if you keep having clogs and can’t identify the problem. In Port Richey, Florida, drain cleaning services are easily provided by Roman Plumbing.

Seth Erhart