What To Try Before Calling A Drain Cleaning Professional
If you're dealing with drain problems, you might wonder what you can do. Some issues require a professional's skills to handle clogged drain cleaning. However, there may be a few things you can attempt before seeking help. Here is a problem-by-problem look at some possible tricks.
Bad Smells
You can use one cup of vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda to treat bad smells. Pour the baking soda down the drain and then run a trickle of water just to coax some of the powder into the opening. Wait a few seconds after turning the water off and then pour the vinegar into the drain.
The mixture should act like a baking soda volcano from science class. You might not see anything if the baking soda and vinegar went far down the drain. However, you should at least hear fizzing sounds.
The mixture should neutralize the bad smells. If you continue to notice odors after trying this tip, you can try again or call a professional.
Partial Clog
If draining is just slow, try pouring boiling water from a coffee pot or tea kettle into the drain. Check that the water is at boiling because lukewarm heat may cause grease, oil, and fat in the drain to melt and subsequently solidify. You might also use drain cleaning fluid, especially if the clog seems stubborn.
Folks who are comfortable disassembling a sink trap can see if the clog is in that spot, too. If you don't know where the trap is, it's best to leave the job to a pro because opening it could make a mess. Also, you might not have access to the drain pipe if the plumbing is in the wall or floor.
Total Clog
A plunger is likely your best friend in this scenario. Buy a separate plunger just for working on the drains. The one you use for the toilet carries some risk of contaminating your sink, shower, or basin.
Position the plunger on top of the drain hole and try to get the rubber to seal for extra pressure. You may need to use your other hand to hold the knob for the sink's stopper down. This will ensure that the pressure will go down the drain and push against the clog. You might have to plunge the drain for several minutes, too.
Contact a Pro
There does come a time when you should call a professional. If these tips don't help, a professional has drain cleaning tools like scopes and plumbing snakes to locate and clear stubborn and deep clogs. Reach out to a professional for more information about clogged drain cleaning.
