The Best Methods for Clearing a Clogged Drain

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

The Most Effective Methods For Unclogging A Clogged Drain

More than likely, you have faced the prospect of a clogged drain and wondered what is the best solution. In general, you want to clear away the clog without causing any damage to your plumbing system. To begin with, you will want to see if there is a mechanical answer to your problem. This begins with something as simple as looking around the drain to see if any visible obstructions are present. For example, you might notice a ball of fur or hair just below the drain trap that you can reach and pull out. The next step is to go beneath the drain and disconnect and clean out the first elbow in the pipes, as items often accumulate in this area.

Gentle Solutions

Plungers or augers are often used to clear a clogged drain. This consists of forcing air into the drain to remove a clog or inserting a wire into the drain to break apart the obstruction. The advantages to a mechanical approach are several:

• Quick and easy
• Inexpensive
• Gentle on pipes
• Simple

Another possibility is to use biological agents to break apart fats, oils and greases. These are eco-friendly and non-toxic. They can take as long as 24 hours to work, but they are gentle on pipes and are effective on obstructions caused by grease, hair and soap.

Harsher Possibilities

A chemical drain cleaner can be fast and effective, but these cleaners come with several negatives: they have the potential to harm pipes, they can cause damage to human skin and they tend to be harmful to the environment. They should be used sparingly and as a last resort to clear a clogged drain.

Any time you face a significant water spill in your home, you should consider the services of a local water damage restoration company in Fort Myers, FL. Trained technicians have experience in areas such as sewage cleaning, damage mitigation and structural restoration.