Tip for Clearing Your Drain Clog

Don’t you often wish you had a trusted plumber to answer your questions? We all worry about being taken advantage of during service calls, and in the back of your mind you wonder if there wasn’t something you could have done yourself if you just had a little push in the right direction. Today, I am going to give you a tip that may come in handy some day when you have a clogged sink or tub drain. Being a professional plumber and getting to meet so many people every day, it seems that every other day I get asked “how can I clear a clogged drain by myself?” While it takes a little effort to try, the following tip could just save you a bunch of money.

While there will always be some stoppages caused by objects that don’t belong in your drain lines — like toys or tree roots — that will require the tools and skills of a plumber, there are many times when you can clear the clog yourself. So, why not give it a try? If the clog is not cleared, you can always call a plumber. You really do not have anything to lose but some time and a little effort. Bear in mind, of course, that for stoppages deep within your plumbing system, a professional plumber with a snake will probably be required to clear the clog for you.

Tip 1: Boiling Water & Baking Soda

This tip to clear your clogged drain involves the use of boiling hot water. Be very careful when you attempt this in order to avoid burning yourself or someone else! The first thing to try is boiling water and baking soda. Boil some water in a pot on the stove — try to use a fairly large one. Once the water has come to a boil, pour 2 cups of baking soda down the slow-running drain, then pour the pot of boiling water down the drain. However, if you do not have enough room in the sink or tub for the extra water due to your clog, do not attempt this tip — the boiling water will have nowhere to go and will spill all over your floor!

Tip 2: Vinegar & Baking Soda

As a slight variation, you can try this technique using vinegar and baking soda. In this case, use a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda instead of the two cups of baking soda. Again, keep in mind that if you do not have ample room for the extra hot water due to standing water from the clog, do not try this tip as you will cause flooding on your floor. But if you do have room for the hot water, pour it into your sink or tub, let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes, and then try using a plunger to push the loosened clog down the drain.

These are two of the most commonly recommended approaches for the do-it-yourself home repair person for loosening and clearing a clogged drain. The tip costs almost nothing but a little bit of your time. But if you try this and it doesn’t successfully clear your clogged sink or tub, or if the clog keeps recurring, then you really do need to call a professional plumber. A professional plumber will use a snake that can reach up to 200 feet or more and remove all kinds of debris from your drain lines.