Clogged Drain - Sewer Line Repair

clogged drain can be a serious problem, but with simple tools you’ll master how to clear the obstruction and remove any unwarranted gunk. Drain clogs can cause major plumbing damage so It’s something you’ll need to deal with quickly, or you could find yourself facing the wrath of a burst pipe.Here are 6 ways to clear your drain. 

Using a Plunger 

If the drain has been clogged by something big or it has reached the point that liquid isn’t going through at all, then you could need to take out your trusty plunger. 

The first step is to make sure that you’ve got the right plunger for the job. If you are unclogging a sink then you want a cup-shaped one. Whether you get a hand-held or full-length one is up to you. 

Take the metal strainers out of the kitchen sink (or the metal stopper out of a bathroom sink) and fill it halfway with water. Stick the plunger over the drain opening and use quick and sharp plunges, using pressure, to eliminate the clog. Check the channel every so often to make sure it is working. 

Hand-Operated Drain Snakes 

Drain snakes are used by plumbers, but you can find a small handheld version for yourself at a hardware store. These inexpensive tools use a long wire to “snake” through the drain, hence the name. Once they reach a clog, twist the snake to catch the debris and remove it. Their design allows them to easily bend through most pipes. 

Boiling Hot Water 

Hot water is another option, but not any old hot water will do. It needs to be boiling in order to get through tough organic material clogging the sink. You shouldn’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes though. The heat from the water can loosen the joints and do more damage than good. Also avoid pouring the water directly on to porcelain as it breaks it. Pour the water down the drain directly. 

Baking Soda and Vinegar 

If you can’t clear impedance with just hot water, then you can add some baking soda and vinegar to the mix. A perennial home cleaning favorite, this option works well even for making sure water reaches the sewer. Start out by pouring a healthy amount of baking soda – around half a box – down the drain. Then pour around half a cup of water down the drain after it. Use rags or a metal stopper to plug the drain to fight against the “volcano” effect of combining the two chemicals. Wait around half an hour while the mixture does its magic, and then rinse the pipes with boiling hot water. 

Dish Detergent 

A combination of dish detergent and hot water can work well with grease clogs and slow-draining drains. Boil up around 2 liters of water and add some dish detergent. Pour the water down the drain and then flush it with hot water from the tap. It could take a few cycles before the drain is cleared. The hot water will melt the grease in the pipes while the detergent loosens up the fat. 

Salt and Hot Water 

The combination of salt and hot water is good for soap clogs and grease clogs. Clear clogged sewer drain by unloading a cup of salt down a slow moving drain. Heat around 2 liters of water to near boiling point and then pour it slowly down the drain feeding into the pipe. Flush the salt and water with hot water from the tap. You might have to repeat this a few times, but you can use any kind of salt for it. 

These home remedies can all help to remove sink clogs and clogged drains, but you may want to consider hiring a plumber if you come across something unusual or don’t have any success with these home methods. 

Still Having Clogged Drain Issues? Contact A Master Plumber

Alamo Plumbing Solutions provides sewer line repair and drain clog services to residential and commercial customers. We service throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas. You can call us at anytime to help schedule service and get a Master Plumber to help diagnose your issue.