Best Ways to Unclog Bathtub and Sink Drains

We’ve all experienced the headache that comes with a clogged bathtub or sink drain. Regardless of how your drain was clogged, it can sometimes turn into a pain to unclog it. The crew at Handyman Connection of McKinney has some tips and tricks to unclog your drains in a breeze.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

You can try an expensive store bought chemical treatment, or you can create your own, which is cheaper and more fun. Mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of white vinegar. It’ll start to fizz, and once it does, immediately pour it down the drain. Let the solution sit for an hour or even overnight depending on the severity of the clog, flush it with hot water, and your drain will function as good as new!

Boiling Water

Quite a few people aren’t actually aware of this method, but it’s a definite option that works. Boil a couple of quarts of water and slowly pour it down the drain. This won’t completely get rid of the extremely tough clogs, but it will remove small clogs from your drains. Make sure to slowly pour the water down in stages so that not all of the water is dumped at once, as this allows the water to snag onto whatever may be clogging the drain.

Wire Hanger

This is a DIY concept similar to that of a snake. Grab a wire hanger from your closet, and straighten it out. After it’s straightened, bend one end to form a small hook. This hook will be what grabs the hair, dirt, or other debris that is looming in your drain. Push the hook past the drain and start wiggling around to snag whatever is causing the clog. Make sure to pull it all out; don’t push it in. After you’re done digging around, run some hot water down the drain to flush it out further.

Salt and Baking Soda

Combine ½ cup of table salt with ½ cup of baking soda. The salt and soda combination will work well and is tough on debris and dirt that cause clogs. Leave the solution in the drain for about 20 minutes, and flush it down with boiling water. The chemical reaction will soften the blockages.

Plunger Method

Use a toilet plunger to plunge the debris out of the drain. Scrub the drain and remove the strainer. Fill the tub or sink up with a couple of inches of water, as the plunger will gain suction with the water. Use some force and after about 12 plunges, you should start to see some debris coming out of the drain and notice the drain becoming unclogged.

At Handyman Connection of McKinney, our goal is to be your go-to guys for any and all of your home maintenance needs. If you have questions about some tough clogs, or have a project you’d like us to tackle, be sure to give us a call. Our expert craftsmen are standing by to help!