When you own a home, you will probably encounter one of the more annoying problems in your home – a clogged drain. This is one of those repairs that can’t wait and requires immediate attention. We all know the inconvenience and mess that accompany a sluggish drain, but most of us wait until the drain is completely clogged before we do anything about it.
Fortunately, some clogs can be cleared with a simple homemade remedy. If you have a moderately clogged drain, you can make a homemade drain cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. The two ingredients interact with foaming and fumes, like they did in the volcano experiment in elementary school. Be careful and replace the drain cover loosely. Let the mixture set for about three hours. Then, run hot water through the drain for a few minutes to clear it. If you know the slow drain is mainly grease, try this treatment: Pour in 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by a tea kettle of boiling water. Allow it to sit overnight and then flush the drain with hot water. Be aware that drain cleaners from the grocery store have harsh chemicals that may interact with the pipes and the contents of the clog and damage the pipes.
If the homemade drain cleaners fail, you can try to physically clear the line. Wet a cloth and cover overflow opening in basin or tub. Kitchen sinks don’t have an overflow vent, if you’re working on one of two side-by-side basins, plug the other basin’s drain opening with wet cloths. In homes that have two bathrooms back to back in adjacent rooms, both may be connected to the same drain. In such cases you must block the other basin at both its drain and overflow vent. After all the overflows and adjacent drains are plugged, prepare to use the plunger meant for sinks. Toilet plungers have a different design that are more effective for toilet clogs. Fill the clogged basin with enough water to cover the head of the plunger. Coat the lip of plunger with petroleum jelly, which creates a better seal. Slide the plunger cup over the drain opening, then rapidly pump the plunger up and down. You should begin to feel water move in and out of the drain. Hopefully, this back-and-forth pressure of the water eventually builds up enough force to dislodge whatever is clogging the drain. After about a dozen firm strikes, jerk the plunger up quickly. The water in the basin should drain quickly. If it doesn’t, try the same procedure two or three more times before attempting to snake the drain.
If the plunger doesn’t remove clog, consider using a drain-and-trap auger or drain snake. Most hardware stores carry a variety of them. First, remove the stopper or strainer from the clogged drain and insert the auger wire into the drainpipe. Follow the directions for your drain snake to clear the pipe. If none of these remedies remove the clogged drain, then it’s time to call the professional plumbers at Wolfer’s. Your leak may be a much bigger problem than a stubborn clog. It may mean you have a sewer line problem.
One of the best ways to prevent drain line repairs, is to prevent them with an annual plumbing inspection. During your whole plumbing service inspection, your Wolfer’s plumber will address:
- Check water filtration systems
- Examine fixtures, supply lines, drains
- In-depth investigation of all above-ground, exposed plumbing, including shut-off valves and traps under kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room sinks;
- Inspect sinks, showers, bath, toilets
- Inspection of bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room draining and venting systems
- Inspect the storage hot water tank or tankless water heater
- Video camera inspection of underground sanitary drains and sewer pipes. Cracks, debris, and misalignments that can lead to future drain blockage or collapse.
- Shut-off valve inspection
- Sump pump and discharge inspection
An important part of owning a home is having a complete home service contractor with the right skills and experience for the job you need completed. For over a century, Wolfer’s Home Services has been the contractor of choice for quality-minded customers. We offer complete HVAC and indoor air quality services as well as complete plumbing services designed specifically for your home or business. Besides the fact that we have earned a reputation for being the best in the business, there are many more reasons to choose Wolfer’s for all your home service needs. Contact us today, or call (503) 220-1901 to work with a company that’s dedicated to ensuring your complete satisfaction.
