5 Ways to Unclog a Drain in Florida
Whether in the toilet, kitchen sink, or bathtub, clogged drains are hardly something to look forward to, even for seasoned homeowners. Clogged drains create a small chaos wherever they are located, and let’s be honest, they can be a bit gross too. If you have to deal with a clogged drain, we invite you to try one of the following options for clearing it out before calling Erica’s Plumbing for help.
Tools and Materials Needed
- Pot
- Water
- Plunger
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- A drain snake or auger
- Drain cleaner
- Towels
- Bucket
- Wrench
Instructions
1. Boil a Pot of Water
Start troubleshooting your clogged drain with the simplest trick of all time: pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. This can help break down the clog, removing grease or substances clinging to the pipes.
2. Use a Plunger
Sometimes boiling water doesn’t work right away; in that case, you can use a plunger to pump out the clog. Using a plunger is easy! Follow these steps:
- Cover and seal the drain with your plunger
- Pump vigorously 8-10 times
- Remove the plunger swiftly after the last pump
The buildup of pressure the plunger creates will help dislodge the clog and allow the water to flow freely again.
3. Try a Mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar
Had no luck with the plunger? Don’t lose hope because you can also give chemistry a try by mixing one part vinegar and one part soda.
Pour this mixture down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will allow the chemical reaction to do its wonderful work of dislodging the clog and removing any grease causing it.
Once the 30 minutes are up, pour hot water down the drain to clear the remaining clog.
4. Get a Drain Snake
Some clogs are just very persistent and stubborn. That’s when you must step it up a notch and use a drain snake or auger. This device has claws that loosen and pry the clog from the pipes.
Insert the snake into the drain until it hits the clog. Then rotate it while pushing it around the pipe. As you do this action, you will break up the clog and pull it out completely. Be careful not to scratch the inside of the pipes, as that can lead to more damage.
5. Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner
If the drain snake doesn’t help, you can also try using a chemical drain cleaner that can help those stubborn clogs that haven’t responded to any of the above-mentioned methods. These chemical drain cleaners are found at most hardware stores and are strong enough to loosen the worst clogs.
Be sure to wear protective gloves, and eyewear, and ventilate the area where the clog is present. Pour the cleaner down the drain and check the instructions to see if it needs to sit before flushing. Ensure that the chemical solution you use suits the type of pipes in your plumbing system.
Call Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration in Florida Today
Did you try all of these tips to no avail? Never fear because Erica’s Plumbing is available 24/7 and will help clear any clogs in the system. Call us today at (561) 782-2779.
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