Whether you are dealing with a backed-up sink drain or your bathtub drain just stops working, it can be a real pain. While you might be tempted to turn to chemical drain cleaners, there are plenty of reasons to avoid this. A chemical drain cleaner can be so corrosive that it destroys your pipes, and the older your pipes are, the more likely it is that this will happen. Instead, choose an eco-friendly way to get your drains flowing again.
Coat Hanger
When you are dealing with a bathtub drain, the most likely culprit for a clog is likely a tangle of hair. Unbend a wire coat hanger and put a sharp hook into one end of the wire. Then feed the coat hang wire into the drain, wiggling it around as you do so. Periodically, pull it back up. Chances are good that when you do this, you will be able to pull up the hair clog that was giving you so much trouble. The nice thing about this trick is that most people have a wire coat hanger lying around somewhere that they can use.
Plunger
A clean plunger can help you unclog a sink very easily. If there is an overflow drain, block it with a handful of paper towels or a hand towel. Run a few inches of water into the sink and tub and then slide the plunger over the drain. Move the handle up and down just as you would for a clogged toilet. Repeat until the clog pops free and water can drain again.
Hot Water
If you are dealing with a bathtub or a bathroom sink, there is a chance that soap has run down the drain and solidified. If you want to fix this problem, simply heat a pot of water until it is nearly boiling. Carefully take the pot to the bathroom and slowly pour the hot water down the drain. Be careful not to burn yourself with the water. Give the hot water a few minutes to work, and then try flushing it with cold water. This is fast, simple and only takes a few minutes.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour a half cup of baking soda into the drain and allow it to sit for five minutes. Then quickly pour a cup of hot water and a cup of white vinegar down the drain and cover it with a drain plug or seal it with an old rag. The agitation from chemical reaction will help clear anything in the drains. Leave the drain closed for between five and ten minutes.. Afterward, try running hot water down the drain to further clear up any debris that might remain.
When you are dealing with a drain that simply won’t run, it can be very frustrating. As a last resort, you may wish to purchase a plumber’s snake, but before you do that, try some of the methods listed above. It is possible to clear your drain using eco-friendly methods, so don’t get discouraged!
This post was provided by Zackary Villasenor, an environmentalist. For a friendly and unparalleled service, call a plumber from http://www.mrrooter.ca.
