Advice from Gary Plumbers: How to Unclog Drains without Chemicals

Drain clogs are such a pain! Whether it’s a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, or tub, a clog can bring your home to a halt. So, if you’re looking for chemical-free clog removal, try these options:

Plunging

Fill the sink or tub with some water and then use a flat-bottomed plunger (not the flanged kind that’s used on toilets) to vigorously plunge. If the sink you’re plunging has overflow holes, stop those up with a cloth before plunging to ensure that you create a suction. If chunks of organic matter (toothpaste, thickened soap scum, hardened minerals, etc.) come up into the sink or tub when you plunge, wipe those up with paper towel and dispose of them so the offending material doesn’t go back down the drain and cause more clogging.

This method will likely remove at least some of the material clogging the drain. However, if there’s hair down there, you may need to use a sink snake to pull that out also, as that’s unlikely to come up with plunging alone.

Drain Snake

A drain snake (auger) uses comb-like teeth to catch hair that is caught before the trap and pull it up out of drains. Be careful when using a drain auger to avoid damaging your sink or tub plumbing. Remember, if there’s anything else down the drain pipe (like something that was put down there by a child or pet), the snake may get caught and need to be carefully pulled out to avoid cracking the pipe or dislodging pipe connectors. 

Hot Water

Pouring hot (but not boiling) water down your drain can help break up organic matter that’s stuck down there so you can more easily clear it. Pour the water down your drain and then wait a few minutes before testing the sink or tub. You may need to repeat this several times to get results. Take extra precaution when dealing with PVC pipes, as using very hot water can sometimes soften or warp the plastic.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Use a 1:1 ratio of baking soda to vinegar to try to remove your clog (ex. 1/4 cup of baking soda + 1/4 cup of vinegar). First pour baking soda down the drain and then pour the vinegar in. The fizzing reaction that results can help break through clogs and the foaming allows it to get into hard-to-reach places. After the two are mixed, wait 15-30 minutes (or 30-60 minutes for more severe clogs) and then dump hot water down the drain to clear the mixture out.

When you have a clogged drain, give us a call at 1 (800) 674-9130. Our crew of Gary plumbers will come out to get your drain fixed right away! We even offer emergency plumbing services for serious clogs that can’t wait until regular business hours.

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