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How to Unclog a Drain & What Tools Work Best for the Job


Certified Plumbing of Brevard - December 13, 2022 - 0 comments

Clogged Up Drains?

Nothing is more relaxing than a hot shower. It soothes your muscles and calms your body before sleep or wakes you up in the morning. The only thing that disrupts your relaxation is when your shower drain is clogged! As you lather with soap, you notice as the water rises and reaches your ankles. Clogged drains can be a real nuisance! And what’s most concerning about a clogged drain, when it’s really clogged, is that you know you must act before it worsens. Luckily, there are several tools and techniques to unclog your drain. 

 

Some DIY techniques may not entirely work. It’s more like patchwork, which may possibly create a larger problem for a later day. To ensure that your drains get properly unclogged, hire a professional. 

Certified Plumbing of Brevard offers drain cleaning services, and you can be sure that your drains will be efficiently and properly cleaned. That way, you can get back to a worry-free shower. 

How to Unclog a Drain at Home:

Step 1: Remove the Stopper or P-Trap

The first step is to remove the stopper from the sink or tub. You’ll want to unscrew the nut at the bottom of the trap, then lift it out. You may need to use pliers or an adjustable wrench for this step. Once you’ve removed the stopper/p-trap, you should be able to see any blockage that is causing your clogged drain.

Step 2: Use a Plunger 

Once you’ve identified the blockage, it’s time to break out your plunger! Make sure that you have enough water in your sink or tub to cover the head of your plunger (you may need a bucket of hot water). Then, start plunging up and down vigorously until you feel resistance. Resistance means that you’ve loosened up whatever was blocking your drain! 

to unclog a drain

Step 3: Snake Out Any Remaining Blockages 

If plunging doesn’t do the trick, it’s time for a plumbing snake! This tool consists of a long metal cable with a crank on one end, which helps move it through tight spaces. Start by feeding about two feet of cable into your drainpipe and then crank slowly until you feel resistance—this means that you’ve hit something blocking your pipe. Move slowly back and forth until you break up any remaining blockages.  

Step 4: Clean Out Any Remaining Debris                   

Now that all significant blockages have been removed, it’s time for some good old-fashioned scrubbing! Use an old rag or sponge with some warm water and dish soap (or vinegar) to clean out any remaining debris around your drainpipe. Make sure all those pesky hairs have been cleared before reassembling everything back together. 

The Best Tools to Unclog a Drain:

Plungers 

It’s safe to say that everyone has a plunger in their home. And if they don’t, it’s safe to assume that once their toilet water starts rising, they’ll wish they had one. Plungers are the most common and effective tool to help unclog any drain. 

Plunging creates suction around the clog, which helps loosen it up and dislodge it from the pipes. It’s also a great way to clear out minor blockages without having to use harsh chemicals or disassemble any parts of your plumbing. A plunger can help you save time and money on plumbing repairs and maintenance by quickly clearing out minor clogs. 

Drain Snakes

A drain snake tool is used to remove obstructions and break up clogs in household drains. It is made of flexible wire in the form of a loop or coil with a handle, allowing you to insert the snake into a pipe and manually spin the mechanism to retract it. Once inserted into the pipe, the tip of the snake can snag the object blocking your drain and facilitate its removal. It is an effective way to unclog your pipes without chemical solutions that can damage your plumbing system or harm the environment.

Though, if you use too much pressure when utilizing a drain snake, you can scratch the pipe. Cracks in your piping can lead to disastrous problems over time. Skip the hassle, and call a professional to unclog a drain. 

to unclog a drain

A Certified Plumber Can Do the Job for You

Avoiding costly replacements in the future begins with regular drain maintenance. It’s essential to keep up on cleaning because a clogged or blocked drain can cause serious problems for a home or business owner. Failing to clean the drains can create an imbalance in the system, leading to a total draining disaster. This could jeopardize any well-functioning establishment and make the area hazardous to any visitors. Taking proactive steps with routine maintenance, like using Certified Plumbing drain cleaning services, is the best way to ensure that this doesn’t happen and that everything operates as it should. 

Not the Best Tool to Use:

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Pouring anything into your plumbing can be a dangerous practice that can have long-term consequences. Over time, this practice can create costly issues by clogging the pipes, resulting in later expensive repairs. DIY practices such as pouring oil, grease, or harsh store-bought “clog-busting” chemicals can worsen the health of your drainage system. Additionally, they can harm your pipes (if they’re plastic), they can harm the environment (by sinking into groundwater and soil), and they can harm homeowners (with toxic fumes). 

It’s better to skip these cleaners and have a professional clean your drains instead. 

When It’s More Than Just Maintenance

Drained clogs can be one of the most frustrating and inconvenient problems any homeowner can face. That’s why Certified Plumbing of Brevard proudly offers our customers 24/7 emergency drain clog services. Our experienced plumbers are available around the clock to take your call, ensuring that you will never have to suffer through a significant plumbing issue without assistance. When your sink or toilet backs up at 2 am on a Saturday, don’t spend hours worrying about who you will call – just pick up the phone and let us handle it!

to unclog a drain

Why You Should Service Your Draining System 

When a drainage system is functioning normally, the homeowner can feel peace of mind that their property will not suffer from possible bursts and water pressure will remain consistent. As such, it’s essential to undertake routine drain cleaning services — even if there are no visible signs of an issue — to ensure the health of pipes and avoid any bursting incidents in the future. This could result in catastrophic damage as flooding can occur, causing structural problems requiring extensive repairs. Professional plumbing services guarantee work is done correctly and increases a system’s lifespan while ensuring no issues develop between recovery and preventative care. 

Contact Certified Plumbing of Brevard

At Certified Plumbing of Brevard, our team of reliable professionals and plumbers is dedicated to providing quality plumbing services. With over 40 years of experience and 33 years in business, our commitment is to provide top-notch plumbing and customer services in the Brevard community. From quick turnarounds on clogged pipes to more complex repiping jobs, our plumbing specialists have the expertise and drive to get the job done right. We pride ourselves on transparency and strive to ensure that all prices or quotes are as accurate as possible for our customers. 

If you’re looking for an experienced team of plumbing experts for your property, call (321) 676-0812 today!

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