{"id":2987,"date":"2020-06-16T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saddlebackplumbing.com\/blog\/?p=2987"},"modified":"2020-06-11T17:55:10","modified_gmt":"2020-06-11T21:55:10","slug":"safe-drain-unclogging-methods-try-before-call-professional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saddlebackplumbing.com\/blog\/plumbing-service\/safe-drain-unclogging-methods-try-before-call-professional\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe Drain Unclogging Methods to Try Before You Call a Professional"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"drain-and-spoon\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Is there any regular plumbing problem more irritating than a\nclogged drain? True, there are plenty of worse<\/em> plumbing problems you can\nthink of (or don\u2019t want to think of), but the drain clog is a nuisance\neverybody has encountered at some point, and they happen too often for most of\nus. There are ways you can prevent drain clogs with tools like drain strainers\nand regular professional drain cleaning services\u2014but today we\u2019re going to talk\nabout what you can do when you\u2019ve got a drain clog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calling our plumbing technicians is a sure way to see that you have any clog removed. In some situations, the clog may be a deeper issue down in the sewer line, and this absolutely calls for experts who know their plumbing in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA<\/a>. But we know you\u2019d like to exhaust all the safe unclogging methods you have at home first before you call, so we\u2019re going to go through the steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(And we want to emphasize safe<\/em>\u2014because there are\nmethods you might try that can seriously damage your plumbing or you!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Plunger<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The good ol\u2019 sink or toilet plunger. We hope you have one in\nyour house, because they\u2019re invaluable tools that can solve basic clogs quickly\nand without much fuss. Make sure you know the difference between a toilet and\nsink plunger: the toilet plunger has longer flanges at the bottom to more easily\ncreate a seal. Push down on the plunger with slow, strong pressure until the\nwater starts to drain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baking Soda and Vinegar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a helpful, natural drain unclogging solution that\ncan often work on kitchen drain clogs. Mix the baking soda and vinegar together,\npour it down the drain, and wait for about fifteen minutes. Then pour hot water\ndown into the drain. The natural acidic action of the vinegar and baking soda\ncan often open clogs without doing any harm to the piping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hand-Cranked Drain Snake<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known as the drain auger<\/em>. This is a device made\nof coil of wires, or a Velcro-like surface, which you push down into the drain\nand then turn with a hand crank. It can drill through clogs and break them up,\nand it also drags out obstructions like clots of hair. For some tougher clogs\nthat a plunger won\u2019t fix, the drain snake may be the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do NOT Use \u2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At this point, you\u2019ve used up the safe home methods to\nunclog a drain, and the next step is picking up the phone and calling our\nplumbing technicians for help. You may be tempted to try some other methods. But\ndon\u2019t! For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n