Tips

9 Simple Tips for Unclogging Drains at Home

Blocked drains can be a major inconvenience, but there are simple tricks that can help you improve this situation.

17 November, 2023

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If the pipes in your house show unusual signs such as slow draining, foul odor, small water whirlpools and gas bubbles when you pour waste water down the drain or there is a backflow causing unsanitary conditions… then it is a sign of a clogged drain. You should know some simple tips to unclog the drain at home because the above situation can easily occur and cause a lot of inconvenience if not handled promptly.

Simple tips to unclog the drain at home

In the case that your house drain is only slightly clogged, the following solutions will be very effective. You should call a drain cleaner if the blockage is severe.

Baking soda combined with vinegar and hot water

Using baking soda is one of the simple tips to unclog the drain at home that many people apply. However, to achieve the highest efficiency, you should combine it with other catalysts such as vinegar and hot water to shorten the process of decomposing organic waste, helping the drain to flow more easily and water to drain more easily.

Using baking soda is a simple tip to unclog the drain at home. (Image: Seward Johnson Atelier)

You just need to prepare 1 liter of white vinegar, 2 liters of water, and 0.3 kg of baking soda. The steps are as follows:

– Pour 2 liters of water into a pot and bring it to a boil.

– Slowly add vinegar and baking soda into the boiling water. Note, when adding baking soda, you should spoon it in slowly, avoiding pouring it all at once which will cause the water to overflow.

– After adding all the baking soda into the pot, bring the solution to a boil again, then turn off the heat, pour the entire solution into the clogged drain, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then flush with clean water. The chemical reaction between baking soda and white vinegar at high temperatures will quickly soften and flush out excess food waste, grease, and debris.

Using salt and baking soda

Mix salt and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio, pour directly into the drain, then pour some hot water down. The chemical reactions between salt, baking soda, and hot water help remove stubborn debris inside the pipes.

With this method, you need to wait about 4-5 hours for the mixture to take full effect, during which you absolutely must not flush water. It is best to pour this drain solution in the evening before going to bed and leave it overnight.

Using a clothes hanger

Using a clothes hanger is one of the simple tips to unclog the drain at home. You can make your own drain cleaning tool by straightening a clothes hanger and bending one end into a J shape. Then, slowly lower the hook into the pipe and “hook” onto the waste causing the blockage.

To ensure hygiene, you should wear gloves and use a bag to remove the debris from the drain.

Using bacterial products

Currently, there are many effective bacterial drain cleaning products on the market. The bacteria in these products, when introduced into the pipes, will decompose the clogging waste, especially long-lasting deposits such as grease and leftover food. You should pay attention to diluting according to the dosage and instructions provided by the manufacturer for higher and faster effectiveness.

Using a plunger

Using a rubber plunger is a tip to help you easily unclog the drain at home. (Image: Fluid Plumbing)

This is a simple tip to unclog the drain at home that anyone can do. Skillfully use the plunger to cover the drain opening completely and then continuously press it down. The continuous pushing and pulling force of this tool will quickly disrupt and flush away the waste inside the pipes.

This method is only effective if the drain opening is the right size.

Using a drain snake

With a specialized drain-cleaning tool with a hook head, you simply need to insert the hook end into the drain and slowly pull out various types of waste. Use the handle of the drain snake to rotate into the pipe, and the clogging waste will be eliminated.

This method is suitable for cases of clogged drains caused by hair, leftover food, and personal hygiene items.

Using drain cleaner powder

There are many types of drain cleaner powders on the market, and you should buy products with clear origins to ensure quality and safety. Do thorough research before buying and using.

When using drain cleaner powder, you should wear a mask, gloves, and goggles to prevent the powder from sticking to your skin and eyes. The amount of powder poured into the drain should also follow the instructions printed on the packaging, and you should not pour too much as it can corrode the surface of the drain pipe.

According to VTV news