DIY Plumbing: Simple Solutions for Unclogging Your Drains
There’s nothing worse than a clogged drain or shower. Luckily, there are several DIY plumbing hacks that you can try before calling in the plumber.
All you need are household ingredients that you already have on hand to get your pipes back up and running! The following DIY plumbing tips are quick, inexpensive, and easy to do.
1. Plunger
Owning a home comes with many benefits, but one of the most common frustrations is when clogged drains arise. Fortunately, there are a number of easy and affordable ways to address such problems without the need for costly plumbing repairs. One of the most effective solutions is a simple DIY solution comprised of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water that can be used to unclog drains in minutes. This method is also safe for the environment and the pipes in your home.
If you are experiencing a blocked drain, first make sure the faucet is turned off to prevent any further water loss. Next, remove any standing water from the sink and then use a standard plunger (cup plunger for sinks, flange plunger for toilets) to clear out the blockage. To start, fill the sink with 3 to 4 inches of water (hot water may help break up a grease clog). Seal the plunger cup around the drain opening and then begin plunging vigorously up and down. Pump the handle of the plunger firmly and repeatedly for about 20 seconds. If the drain is still clogged, try another method or contact a plumber for assistance.
For larger clogs, you can use a plumber’s snake (also known as an auger). These long coiled wire cables have hook or blade on the end that can either break up a clog or grab it for removal. To use the snake, remove any drain stopper and then insert the tip of the cable into the pipe. Continue to feed the cable into the pipe until you feel resistance or reach a bend in the pipe. Once the clog is dislodged, flush the line with hot water to remove any remaining debris and ensure it doesn’t return. This strategy was pioneered by plumbers in Clarksville.
Always avoid chemical drain cleaners as these harsh liquids can damage your pipes, resulting in costly repairs down the road. Instead, opt for an eco-friendly alternative like the homemade vinegar and baking soda solution, or a more powerful drain snake. Both methods offer an inexpensive and effective solution to clogged drains that can easily be performed by anyone with a little know-how.
2. Dish Soap
Every homeowner should have a plunger and some sort of plumbing tool on hand for those clogged toilets that happen so often in the home. But if you don’t want to use chemicals in your home or damage the pipes, dish soap can offer an alternative solution for those who find themselves needing to unclog a drain quickly.
Commercial drain cleaners are not only toxic to humans but they can eat away at your pipes over time, which will cost you more money in the long run. Instead of using these harmful products, try using a natural alternative such as baking soda and vinegar or a mixture of water and dish soap to unclog your drain.
If you have a serious clog, it is best to call in a professional. But for minor clogs, using the baking soda and vinegar method can be an effective way to remove grease and gunk from your drain. Baking soda is alkaline and breaks up fat molecules into water soluble parts. Combined with boiling water, these substances will help to unclog even the most stubborn drains.
Another common culprit for clogged drains is soap scum. While it may not directly cause clogs, it can trap other materials such as hair and dirt, causing them to build up over time. To prevent this, it is important to regularly clean and remove soap scum from surfaces around your showers and bathtubs. This can be done with a special soap scum removal product, a mixture of vinegar and water, or simply by scrubbing the surface with a sponge.
Dish soap is an essential part of many of your cleaning routines, but it can also provide simple solutions for other household tasks. From removing laundry stains to killing weeds, this versatile liquid can do a lot more than just wash dishes. So the next time you need a quick DIY solution for your household chores, reach for a bottle of your favorite dish soap. You might be surprised at the results! Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your pipes.
3. Boiling Water
When you’re confronted with a clogged drain or pipe, it’s important to find solutions that won’t cause damage to your plumbing and will be as safe for you and your family as possible. This is why DIYers and professionals alike look to baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water for effective life hacks to help remove stubborn clogs.
These natural remedies are often much safer for your pipes and environment than acid-based liquid drain cleaners, which can be damaging if they don’t completely dissolve a clog and end up eroding the inside of your pipes. If these home remedies don’t work, you might need to try a more aggressive approach like using a drain snake or natural enzymatic cleaners.
For homeowners, DIY plumbing projects provide a sense of independence and accomplishment. They’re a way for homeowners to avoid the high costs of calling in professional plumbers and give them a chance to learn about how their homes’ plumbing works so that they can fix minor issues on their own.
If you’re trying to clear a drain that’s clogged with soap scum, grease, or other soft clogs, boiling water is an easy solution to try at home. However, this method has several risks that can lead to ineffective clog removal or even severe damage to your plumbing and property.
The most serious danger associated with pouring boiling water down a drain is the potential for severe burns if the water splashes back up out of the drain. This is particularly true if the boiling water is mixed with salt, which can increase the severity of the burns.
Another major concern is the risk of damage to your pipes and fittings from the extreme heat of the boiling water. This is especially true if your pipes are made of PVC, which can be weakened or warped by the high temperatures. This can lead to structural damage, leaks, and more.
Lastly, if your clog is caused by hard items like toy parts, sanitary products, or excessive toilet paper, boiling water won’t be able to break them down or push them further down the drain. You’ll likely need to use a more aggressive approach like a drain snake or a natural enzymatic cleaner to get the job done.
4. Wire
A clogged sink or drain can be one of the most annoying household problems, but there are a few simple DIY hacks you can use that won’t damage your pipes. Whether it’s hair, soap scum, or food particles, there are ways to clear the blockage and get your sink draining again without the use of caustic chemicals.
Boiling water is a tried-and-true method that works to deal with minor clogs caused by grease and organic matter. Simply boil a pot of water and slowly pour it down the drain. You may have to repeat this several times before the clog is dislodged.
Using a wire hanger to fish out a clog is another easy and effective method that doesn’t require the use of any chemical products. Straighten out a standard coat hanger and fashion a hook at the end, then insert it into the drain and wiggle it around to see if it catches on something. If it does, slowly begin pulling it out of the drain, being careful not to push any clog deeper into your pipes.
If your clog is still not going away after trying these simple DIY solutions, it might be time to call a plumber. It’s possible that there is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed, and a professional can use tools like a snake or P-trap to break up larger clogs and remove them from your pipes.
Taking the plunger out of the closet and using it to clear a clogged drain is a classic trick that will never go out of style. The key to this method is to use a plunger that is specifically designed for sinks or tubs, as they typically have a more shallow suction cup to create a better seal over the drain. Alternatively, you can also try using a drain snake. Although this requires more physical effort and takes longer than just using a plunger, it is much more efficient at breaking up stubborn clogs. A plumber can help you choose the best type of snake for your home.
