Woman plunging sink

Four Best Ways To Unclog A Drain & When To Call A Plumber

Whether there is too much hair or grease trapped in your drains, your sink or toilet can unexpectedly clog at any time. While this inconvenience can be a headache, there are ways that you can fix your clogged drains on your own. Before you call a drain cleaning service, try out these tips on the best ways to unclog your drain. If you think your issue is more significant than you can handle, Scott Hale’s experienced drain plumbers in Salt Lake City will be happy to help you!

Start With Hot Water

With everything that can get stuck in your drain, one of the easiest ways to get your drains clean is by pouring boiling hot water down the drain. This should be the first thing you do to try to clear any blockage. 

For the best results, you should boil a half-gallon of water and pour it right into the drain opening. After doing this, turn the water on and see if the water drains the right way. If not, repeat the process, and if it still doesn’t work, it means you have a stubborn clog that will require an alternative solution. 

Use Baking Soda And Vinegar

Before starting this technique, make sure you remove any standing water that is in your sink. As one of the best ways to unclog a drain, this mixture is easy to use, and you don’t have to buy chemical drain cleaners. 

Start by pouring a cup of baking soda into the sink drain and then add in the same amount of white vinegar. The mixture should begin to bubble. Then, after 15 minutes, run your hot water. If it is draining properly, some of the blockage has been eliminated.

Plunge Away

One of the most common and best ways to unclog your drain, using a plunger usually always does the trick. Plungers can be efficiently used for sink and toilet clogs and are recommended by drain cleaning companies. 

For a sink clog, try to use a sink plunger which is smoother on the surface. Make sure you have around three inches of water in your sink and plunge it up and down over the drain. For your toilet, repeat this process with a toilet plunger.

Plumber’s Snake 

This tool is often used by professionals during a drain cleaning service and is regarded as one of the best ways to unclog any drain. 

You start by disassembling the drainpipe and P-trap to find any blockage behind the wall. Then, insert the snake until you feel resistance, which is a signal of blockage. If you don’t have a plumber’s snake, try to use a metal wire coat hanger by straightening it out.  

When Should I Call A Plumber?

It’s normal to want to avoid calling for a drain cleaning service, but sometimes it is necessary to protect your home. If you aren’t sure of the severity of the clog or have no prior experience of draining, then calling a plumber would be better than trying to tackle the issue yourself. 

Do you have a stubborn clog in one or multiple home drains? Call us for reliable and professional drain cleaning services in Salt Lake City!