When one considers the number, type of substances and household items that go down the drain, it becomes evident why the system experiences an overload and clogs. A host of items ranging from soap scum, toothpaste, and shaving cream to foreign objects, shower gels, body oils, and hair contribute to clogged drains.

To avoid paying an arm and a leg for plumbing repairs, homeowners can follow simple, self-help measures to fix a clogged drain. All that is needed is a little know-how and a few basic tools. While plumbing and piping can be complex undertakings, fixing as opposed to installing the former can often be done by the average person.

To clear clogged drain, consumers may utilize a popular method relying on commercial drain cleaners(never use on older steel drain systems). Drain openers are available in crystal, foam, and liquid form.

However, these powerful and pricey industrial chemicals are potentially hazardous to one's health, PVC pipes, and the waste water stream. With the green revolution underway, an increasing number of consumers are turning to environmentally-friendly, non-toxic alternatives to acid or lye to unclog a drain. There are numerous natural, ecologically-beneficial approaches to clear the majority of drains of commonly-encountered clogs, and they include the following:

1. Utilization of a plunger
Local hardware stores carry small plungers that are specifically designed for sinks ('sink plungers'). For an overflow hole in the  lavatory, individuals can seal it with a wet cloth, fill the sink, and plunge. Where there is no standing water in the bowl, they can add a small quantity of tap water, which will enable the plunger to produce suction and function more efficaciously by opening the clog. The plunger is then placed directly over the opening of the sink and pushed up and down a few times in order to clear the clog. In the rare cases that plunging does not clear a clogged sink drain, homeowners may remove the p-trap and stopper to ensure that they are free of obstructions. To collect the water, they can place a bowl underneath the p-trap.

Sometimes the culprit is hairs on the stopper; in this case, individuals can simply remove and clean the stopper.

2. The vinegar-plunger method
This technique is optimal for drains that are not completely clogged. To prevent their drains from clogging, homeowners are advised to pour 1 cup of white vinegar or boiling water down their drains on a monthly basis. After pouring the vinegar, they should let it sit for a minimum of 20 minutes. Alternatively, they can remove the goop and clear drain by mixing vinegar and baking soda, which produce foam that clears the pipes.  They can pour baking soda into the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. The baking soda-vinegar mixture is highly effective on clogs emanating from grease and food build-up.

After allowing the drain to remain static for thirty minutes, a pot of boiling water is quickly poured to flush the drain. The liquid should stand for fifteen minutes. For homes with PVC  or ABS piping, hot water instead of boiling water should be used. A plunger is then employed to stir up the clogged-up mass, and the drain is flushed again with boiling water. This procedure is repeated until the drain is cleared. For problematic clogs, homeowners should consider pouring warm vinegar into the drain.

3. Enzyme cleaners
Another way to clear clogs from pipes is to apply natural enzyme drain cleaners, which have no harmful impact on surrounding material and operate by eating away and breaking down organic material such as grease and food in clogs. Natural enzyme cleaners should be used periodically to help avoid clogs. (Ask Casey's Plumbing about "Drain Maid".)



4. Removal of the U-bend pipe
Another technique to clear a clogged sink drain is by taking out the U-shaped drain pipe found beneath the bathroom sink or faucet. Homeowners should first turn the water off by turning the knob to the right and place a bucket under the pipe. Using a pipe or plumber's wrench, they can then loosen, remove, and clean the pipe fitting as well as check if there are any clogs. The pipe can be cleaned with a bottle brush.

If there are no clogs on this portion of the plumbing, then homeowners should utilize an auger, which is a thick pipe with a handle on the side for winding and unwinding as it is moved down the drain pipe. They can also purchase a snake at a hardware store or online for a small price and run it down the drain prior to removing the pipe. After clearing the drain pipe, the trap is replaced and fastened securely. To ensure that it is fully opened, hot water should be flushed down the drain. Finally, the homeowner should look under the sink to verify that there are no leaks in the pipe.


5. Manual removal
For clogs caused by hair, the "Zip-It" is an inexpensive thin tool featuring teeth- can be introduced into the drain. The instrument's teeth traps the soap residue and hair, enabling individuals to clear the drain. (I used this technique once to clear my teenage son's bathroom sink that had standing water
for 2 days!)



6. Snaking a tub drain
To tackle a clogged tub drain, homeowners can begin by removing the screen from the drain to clear it of any soap residue and hair. For tubs with pop-up drains, they can raise the level and pull the stopper from the hole and extract soap and hair that is on it. If the tub drain is still clogged, they can place a wet towel underneath the holes of the overflow plate and plunge. In cases of stubborn clogs, a cable auger may need to be used. Homeowners must first remove the overflow plate and push the cable forward and into the tube by using the hand crank. They should continue cranking until the cable enters the P-trap. The cable is then removed, and the drain is flushed with several gallons of boiling water. The homeowner then replaces the screen and overflow plate.

If all else fails, give us a call we'll get a professional right out and get those drains working again in no time!

503-620-9111