Plumbing is an essential part of your home, so it is very important to look after it. But no one likes clearing blocked drains and specially if you have no idea about how to go further. So, here are some easy tips for handling this situation and sometimes you will really feel that it is not that hard to unclog drains. So try these out before calling a plumber.
To start with, a good idea is to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar instead of a harsh liquid drain cleaner. If there is standing water in the sink try to remove as much of it as possible.
Then pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. When these two react together they will create a foaming action that will loosen many clogs.
If this combination does not work for you, another simple method is to use a normal plunger. Plungers work best in water so make sure that you fill up the sink or tub with water such that it is completely into it. Another important thing to do before using a plunger is to block the overflow opening.
You can also try using a cloth hanger. Open the hanger to make it a long straight metal wire. Bend either of it side a little to form a hook to catch the clog. Push it down the drain, turn it and try catching the clog with the hook.
If you do manage to catch it you can pull it out with the hook. Once you have pulled out enough material run some more water in to see if it is working any better. If it does seem to be improving you might try the plunging technique again.
If none of the above mentioned steps help you out, you can try some other plumbing tools such as an auger. It is a more complicated tool than a plunger and you should know how to use it properly, otherwise it is always better to call a professional plumber who can fix the problem for you.
Plumbing problems can be a real headache but so can looking for a good plumber to fix them. But choosing the right plumber is equally essential. So, it is always a good idea to do some on line research or you can ask friends, family and neighbors who they would recommend. This can save you a lot of time.
