Your bathroom plays a huge role in your morning routine. When a bathroom drain clog slows down rush hour, you need to clear it fast. Check out these tips for unclogging your bathroom drains.
Use Boiling Water
Sounds simple but bathroom clogs are often from a mixture of soap scum and toothpaste. Try pouring a pot of boiling water down the clogged drain to loosen up the clog. Repeat it a couple of times if you find the drain is starting to open up. The good news is boiling water won’t cause any damage to your pipes, so you can repeat it as many times as needed.
Try Baking Soda & Vinegar
This is likely your grandmother’s natural solution to clogs, and for good reason. When baking soda and vinegar mix, the fizzy reaction helps to bubble away the material causing the clog. Use ½ cup of baking soda poured into the drain, followed by an equal amount of white vinegar. Cover the drain to keep the fizz where it will do the work. Follow with boiling water to flush.
- Plunger: Much like you use for a clogged toilet, a sink plunger creates a vacuum to forcefully clear a clog.
- Drain auger: Tougher clogs containing hair or other obstructions might require the use of a plumbing snake or drain auger. These devices can reach into the drain and physically break up the clog and pull it out. When using this method, don’t rush the result. Forcing the auger can risk cracking the pipe. Crank the auger while feeding it into the pipes and running the water to clear the pipe.
How to Prevent Bathroom Drain Clogs
Once you’ve successfully cleared your bathroom drain, it’s essential to prevent future clogs. Here are some tips to keep your drains clear:
- Use drain covers: Install hair-catching drain covers in your sink, tub, or shower to prevent hair and other debris from going down the drain.
- Avoid pouring grease down the drain: Don’t wash greasy products like oils, lotions, or fatty substances down your drain, as they can solidify and cause clogs.
- Regular maintenance: Run hot water or a baking soda and vinegar treatment through your drains every few months to keep them clean and prevent buildup.
- Clean the stoppers: Regularly clean the drain stoppers or strainers to avoid the accumulation of hair, soap, and other debris.
Count on Us for Drain Cleaning Services in the Greater Orlando Area
Soap scum, hair, toothpaste — your bathroom drains see it all. Preventing a drain clog is the best way to keep your bathroom routine moving, but when a clog brings your bathroom to a standstill, in most cases, you can troubleshoot the issue. If you have frequent clogs in your sink, showers and toilets, however, it may indicate it’s time for a professional drain cleaning. The team at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical are prepared to keep your plumbing system moving smoothly. We can inspect and clean your drains to remove buildup before a clog develops.
Contact us online now for professional drain cleaning services or your next plumbing emergency.
