If your sink, bathtub, or toilet begins draining slowly, fails to drain, omits unpleasant odours or starts making odd gurgling noises, you most likely have a clogged drain on your hands. Luckily, it’s usually easy to perform a DIY drain cleaning at home. To learn how to deal with a clogged drain, read the following advice from Problem Solved Plumbing & Heating, your drain cleaning experts serving Cochrane, Calgary and surrounding areas.
Bathtub drain If you don’t use a drain catcher in your bathtub, your drain will become progressively clogged with hair, skin flakes and dirt. To remedy this type of clogged drain, remove the stopper and use needle nose pliers to fish out the buildup. If you don’t own pliers, a bent metal coat hanger will sometimes do the trick. We recommend wearing gloves, as this procedure can be messy, and investing in a drain catcher after the clog is cleared. Kitchen sink When a kitchen sink starts draining slowly, it often means there’s a buildup of food particles and cooking grease that’s causing a blockage. There are few different methods for removing these plumbing obstructions. Believe it or not, simply pouring boiling water down your sink is sometimes enough. Boil the water in your kettle or a large pot, and then pour it directly into your drain’s opening. Don’t use this method if you have PVC pipes, and never pour boiling water on a porcelain sink as it may crack. If boiling water isn’t enough, try the baking soda and vinegar method. Mix one-third of a cup of baking soda with one-third of a cup of white vinegar in a small bowl. Once the mixture is bubbling, pour it down your drain. Wait a minimum of an hour, and then flush the drain with more boiling water. Toilet While toilet paper is designed to naturally dissolve after being flushed, many items are not. If you flush feminine hygiene products, cotton-tipped swabs, dental floss or pre moistened diaper wipes — or your kid has decided to send their toy dinosaur for a swim — you could accidentally clog your toilet pipe. Firstly, try to remove the blockage using a rubber plunger with an extension flange. Plunging at the toilet’s drain opening should loosen most simple clogs. However, if this method fails, try using an auger or toilet snake. These devices are slid into the toilet pipe to break down the blockage and remove it. Expert drain cleaning in and around Calgary Have a clogged drain? For stubborn blockages that won’t respond to DIY treatments, call the professional plumbers at Problem Solved Plumbing & Heating. Offering round-the-clock service throughout Calgary, Cochrane and surrounding areas, we’re experts in diagnosing and cleaning clogged drains.