Household clogs are one of the most common problems homeowners deal with. Though they may be simple to fix with DIY solutions, sometimes it’s not worth the hassle or the mess!

If you’re struggling with DIY fixes to correct a clogged drain and not getting anywhere, take a look at these solutions.

Why Your Sink is Not Draining

Everyone has seen a clogged drain with standing water pooled in the basin. A slow drain is a little different. The water will drain, but it takes longer than it should.

Soap scum, hair, food particles, grease, and other debris can build up in a drain, making it drain slowly. This is an annoying issue to have, but many homeowners just let it go. Over time, however, it can become a major clog.

Use the Zip-It Tool

If you want to try to get the clog out on your own, the Zip-it tool is a great investment. It’s inexpensive, easy to use, and found at most home improvement or hardware stores. You just put the tool into your pipes to capture the debris that’s causing the clog so you can bring it up and out of your drain.

You can use the Zip-it tool on sinks with or without pop-ups, so this is a good device to have around your home.

Take out the P and U Traps

Pipes are designed with a U-shaped bend that you can find beneath your sink in the cabinet. The bend is intended to keep a small pool of water in the pipes that prevents sewer gasses from coming back up and into your home. This is not only a bad odor, but the gasses can be toxic to humans and pets.

The area where the water pools can also hold onto tons of debris, such as hair clumps, loose change, soap scum, and more, clogging your drains.

Here’s how you can clear your P and U traps:

• Turn off the water supply to your sink.
• Remove the items you store in the cabinet, such as cleaning supplies.
• Put a bucket under the pipes to catch dirty water.
• The P-trap is kept in place by slip nuts at the ends of the pipe’s curve. Depending on when your plumbing was installed, they may be plastic or chrome.
• You can remove the slip nuts by turning them counterclockwise with your fingers or a wrench.
• Once removed, you can take out the P-trap section of pipe.
• With gloved fingers or a stiff brush, push the clogged debris out of the pipe to clear it.
• Once cleared, replace the P-trap section of pipe and retighten the slip nuts.
• Turn the water back on, remove the bucket, and replace the items in your cabinet.

Use the Plunger

A plunger is a common tool for most homeowners. Though you may be more familiar with using a plunger on your toilet, you can use a smaller version to unclog your sinks.

Here’s how to use a plunger to unclog a sink drain:

• Remove the sinkhole cover or stopper from the drain. The stopper may pop out if you pull it upward and turn it. After you remove the stopper, put it somewhere safe.
• Fill the sink with about an inch of water. Don’t fill up the whole sink, as you only need enough water for the plunger to create a strong seal.
• Center the plunger over the drain and press down to create a solid seal. Pump the plunger.
• Remove the plunger every so often to see if the water will drain. When the clog is dislodged, the water should drain rapidly.
• Test the drain to see if it continues to empty quickly and easily. If it’s still backing up, you may need to repeat the plunging process.

What Not to Use

Chemical Cleaners

Chemical drain cleaners are most homeowners’ go-to for a clogged drain. These cleaners can get rid of a clog fast, but they have caustic chemicals that can damage PVC or metal pipes.

Along with that, the chemicals in drain cleaners can splash onto your skin or eyes, causing burns.

Wire Hanger

One of the household remedies homeowners use to DIY fix a clog is an unbent wire coat hanger. It may seem like a drain snake, but it’s often ineffective and dangerous.

Most clogs are too deep in the pipes for a coat hanger to reach, so you’re wasting your effort. In addition, poking around with a wire hanger can damage your pipes and create much bigger issues, not to mention that the hanger itself can get stuck.

Time to Call the Professionals

DIY solutions are great, if they work. If you’re not getting anywhere with your DIY fix for a slow or clogged drain, call a professional. The experts at Proskill can get your drains fixed and running like new in no time, simply schedule an appointment online!