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Tired of water draining slowly in your bathroom? Well, don’t start dialling your plumber’s number yet. Did you know that you can fix most clogged drains by yourself at home? Here are a few different techniques to power through the small clogs in your drain and ensure they work smoothly here on after.
If you really think about it, our drain deals with so much more than just water; grease, soap suds, a whole variety of cleansing gels, hair and other solids. So it’s no wonder you find your sink clogged from time to time. But a simple, homemade drain cleaner is not the solution to unclog all drains. Depending on the degree and depth of the clog, the solutions may vary. This is why we recommend getting started on these treatments right when you notice water draining slowly. If you wait too long, the clog might become very serious causing your pipes to burst.
Ways to Fix A Clogged Drain
Here are 5 easy and cost-effective clogged sink remedies to clear out your shower drain and ensure that it runs smoothly.
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar
This homemade drain cleaner has been tried and tested multiple times and has proven to successfully defeat a simple clogged drain. Simply mix ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar and pour this homemade drain cleaner down your clogged drain. Once you pour it, let the mixture sit for a couple of hours (or overnight) after which you can flush it down with hot water. That’s all! This mixture is great to use to unclog drains that are still in the process of clogging.
2. Drain Snake
A drain snake or plumber’s snake is a simple tool that you insert into your drain to poke out and unclog your shower drains. While you can find a drain snake in most plumping shops, you can also hack this by using a straightened out wire hanger. Simply push the wire down your drain and fish out all the particles like hair that are causing the blockage. After you pull the particles out, run some hot water down your drain the further unclog them. You can use this method to treat clogged drains of up to 60cm maximum depth.
3. Plunger
This is one of the clogged sink remedies that people use for years to fix a clogged drain at home. You can even use it on shower drains as well. A plunger works by forcing water into your drain pipes and pushing the clog forward, to the surface of the drain. You can use a plunger in combination with any of the other methods to fix a clogged drain.
4. Wet Vacuum
This method may not always work as it depends on the degree of the clog and the power of your vacuum cleaner. But it doesn’t hurt to try and doesn’t require any extra tools that you don’t already have at home. First, ensure that your vacuum cleaner is compatible enough to run on wet surfaces. If yes, then set the mode for liquids and place the mouth of the vacuum over your drain. Turn the power up as necessary and suck out all the hair and other particles that are causing the clog.
5. Liquid Opener
If all else fails, your last bet before having to call a plumber is to use a liquid opener. You can find liquid openers in your local grocery store or plumbing store. Liquid openers work because they contain a mixture of enzymes, acids and bacteria that dissolve organic particles like hair and grease that usually cause the clogged drain. However, before using any product, ensure that this clogged sink remedy is compatible with your clogged drain and pipe system. Never use any liquid cleaner with sulphuric acid or other concentrated acids as they might permanently damage your pipes and the overall water draining system.
When To Call The Plumber
While these DIY clogged sink remedies are effective to clear a small clog, they may not be effective in clearing out clogs that have been collecting for a long period of time. Sometimes, there may be an issue with your entire drainpipe system that may need replacements. For these sorts of situations, it’s best you call a professional to fix the underlying issue of the clogged drain.
Jaquar Shower Drain Pipe
In case your plumber recommends replacing your drainpipe, ask for a replacement with Jaquar’s shower drain pipe. Jaquar shower drains are premium quality and are guaranteed to last you a long time. Visit the Jaquar website or contact your nearest Jaquar dealer to find out more about Jaquar shower drains today!
At Jaquar, you can also get all sorts of bathroom products, from showers and faucets, all the way to water heaters and spas. Be sure to check them out today and spruce up your bathroom!