Before calling us for professional clogged drain cleaning, you can try to clear the clogged drain yourself. In many cases, using a plunger or clogged pipe drain cleaner from the store can solve your problem. If you have a clogged shower drain or bathtub drain, you will need to call us so we can use a plumbing snake to pull hair, soap, and other residue out of the drain. Here are some tips for using clogged pipe drain cleaner correctly:
- Purchase a drain cleaner specifically for your problem
- Don’t use drain cleaner on a sink with a garbage disposal, or in a toilet, tub, or shower
- Don’t use a drain cleaner on plumbing fixtures with standing water
- Follow all instructions carefully, including wearing gloves and goggles if needed
- Don’t squeeze the bottle while pouring
- Let the drain cleaner sit for 30 minutes and then flush the drain with hot water for about 10 minutes
Using a plunger correctly is very effective on drains with standing water. Do not plunge a drain with standing water that you also used drain cleaner on, as that can cause drain cleaner to splash back up into your face and eyes. Here are some tips for plunging a kitchen sink or bathroom sink:
- Use a cup plunger
- If there is no standing water, put about an inch of water in the sink so it covers the drain
- Center the plunger over the drain and plunge up and down a few times to create a seal
- Remove the plunger to see if the water goes down
- If it doesn’t, recenter the plunger over the drain and plunge forcefully for another 1-2 minutes
If neither of these techniques works for you, it’s likely you need professional clogged drain cleaning.
