Tips for Clogged Drains – What to Do Before Calling a Plumber

There’s nothing more frustrating than clogged drains, whether in your home or office building. Apart from having to clean up the mess, you’ll also have to ensure the root issue is addressed so it doesn’t damage your property and plumbing system. When faced with a clogged drain, the logical step to take is to contact an emergency plumber. But even before you do so, there is a handful of plumbing solutions you can take to address and prevent the problem.

Here are our tips on clearing clogged drains:

1. Use plumbing tools to loosen up the clog.

There are a handful of approaches to take when confronted with a clogged drain. The first and immediate course of action, though, is to loosen up the clogs by using the following plumbing tools:

• Plunger: Every household has a bathroom plunger which serves as the first line of defence against clogged drains. To use a plunger, work it up and down multiple times until the built-up pressure loosens up the clog.

• Drain auger: This tool is a long, flexible metal tube meant to fit down a drain. When you use it, the cutting head will drill into the clog until any accumulated debris loosens up. Before giving it a try, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions and understand the safety warnings.

•  Pressurized drain opener: This type of tool uses concentrated air pressure to remove the clog physically. It works like a plunger but has a higher air pressure for stubborn obstructions.

2. Apply liquid drain cleaner for your clogged drains.

Apart from the plumbing tools, you can use liquid drain cleaners designed to treat clogged drains. They are commonly used and highly effective at getting rid of clogs in your drains. Take note of the following:

• Liquid drain cleaner: You can buy liquid drain cleaners at grocery and department stores, home improvement centers, and other retail centers. While they can work, we generally don’t recommend them as many come with harmful chemicals. An environmentally friendly cleaner or professional plumber is always a better choice.

• Environmentally friendly cleaner: It’s better to use an environmentally friendly cleaner such as baking soda. This can be effective for small problems while not having a major impact on the environment. If you have a stubborn clog, though, you’ll need the expertise of a plumber.

3. Take preventative measures for clogs.

As with any case, prevention is better than cure. There are a few preventative measures you can take to prevent your home or office from having clogged drains. Below are a few:

• Strainer installation: Install a drain strainer—a piece of wire mesh preventing large pieces of debris from getting into your drainage pipes.

• Proper disposal: There’s no better way to avoid blockages than to dispose of your junk properly. Don’t pour or throw grease, cooking oil, or other forms of organic waste directly into your kitchen drains. Avoid flushing paper towels, facial tissues, cotton balls, cigarettes, and hygiene products down your toilet as well.

Conclusion

If none of our solutions work, call an emergency plumber so you don’t have to deal with an out-of-order bathroom or kitchen. For help with a clogged drain, we’re just the ones you need! At Bromac, we provide heating and plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties in Abbotsford, BC.