Unclogging a sink doesn’t need professional help; you can surely do it yourself. But, there are many common mistakes that individuals make when unclogging a drain.
Knowing how to unclog a drain can save you lots of money and time while making you feel self-sufficient. However, not every clogged drain is easy to clean. If the gunk is deeply embedded into your kitchen drains, you need professional help to get rid of it. However, here are some essential tips to help.
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Don’t Add Too Much Water
Most individuals will follow the logic that when something is stuck, you can easily add more water, and it will be fine. In the case of a clogged drain, it’s not the wisest choice to add more water in an attempt to unclog it, regardless of the pressure you’re providing. The chances are that the clog cannot be fixed this way and requires more probing and planning.
This method of trying to unclog the drain can leave you with a bigger and waterier mess than you started with.
Not Paying Attention to the Stopper
This tiny device plays an integral role in keeping the sink together. If you find that there’s a lot of water stuck in your sink, then you can look into the stopper or wire strainer and use a wire to remove any unnecessary items that could’ve been causing the blockage.
Using too Much Force
Again, a common misconception is that more pressure means that the sink gets unclogged, but that’s not true at all. It is not the pressure that helps a clogged drain but the maneuvering of tools. Pulling very hard on the drain will leave you with a sore arm and running your kitchen or bathroom sink.
Don’t Use Chemicals!
Chemicals will not liquefy your clogged drain and make it better instantaneously. This is more harmful to your pipes because you don’t know how the chemicals react with the pipes. Don’t use random chemicals to try and get the clogged parts out.
Also, be careful because such liquids are toxic and should not be used to clean areas that all family members commonly use. Only used specified drain cleaners that are nontoxic.
Don’t Improvise
While most of the things used in keeping up the house are DIY, don’t mimic that mindset for unclogging drains. Don’t stick anything and everything you think will help you unclog the drain like wire, wood, etc. There are specific brushes and methods by which you can unclog the drain at ease.
Don’t Forget To Use Snake Wires
Snake wires are tools made specifically for unclogging drains, and therefore, it would seem a waste not to use them when such a situation arises. Snakes for drains are commonly known and can be found in local stores near you.
Don’t Remove Random Pipes
It is not time for you to play plumber, so do not try to alter the sink layout but removing pipes, etc. You may make a mistake that cannot be taken back and will end up costing more than you hoped for.
If your clogged drain gets to a level where you alone cannot get rid of it, ask for professional help from your local plumber.
While the plumber will take care of your drain, it’s also good to observe what they are doing and understand how to unclog a drain and handle the situation yourself the next time.
Not Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
Among the remedies for a clogged drain, using this combination will work well. A slurry of baking soda and vinegar can help control the clog and eventually dry it out and let the water flow again.
Don’t Use Cold Water
If your clog is relatively small and not too much, you can use hot water to try and unclog the drain. Using cold water can prove to be ineffective. Slowly pour the hot water into the drain and see if it is being absorbed or staying.
Even if the water doesn’t go immediately, give it 2-3 minutes for the hot water to take effect and make the clogged particles soggy. Eventually, the particles will melt with the hot water, and the drain will be unclogged.
Don’t Use Cloth or Other Apparel to Unclog the Drain
Sticking a cloth down the drain will not soak up the water or the clogged particles, so it’s best to avoid this. By putting in a cloth, you are more likely to get that also stuck inside the drain. The same goes with paper towels or napkins; these are materials that will easily get trapped inside the sink. Avoid these at all costs.