Clogged Drains: Things You Can Do Before the Plumber Comes

It is a sad fact of life that little but frustrating problems like clogged drains raise their ugly little heads at the worst possible time. This may be when you are elbow-deep in preparations in the kitchen for an important dinner party or in the bathroom trying to get ready for an evening on the town. But don’t despair; most likely it has little to do with your home-keeping skills. It simply happens and luckily in most cases a fix might be unpleasant but easy.

• First, don’t use harsh commercial products to try to remove clogs. They are neither good for your plumbing or the environment and if anything their use will just prolong a complete solution.
• Keep monitoring the speed with which your sinks and tubs drain. When they start to get sluggish, it is easier to catch the problem early on and avoid the tipping point to failure. Regular maintenance is key.
• Use mechanical methods to clear drains. Snakes can be purchased at any home improvement store. Other products such as the Zip-It are simple “plunge and pull” solutions for problems like hair and soap scum build-up.
• For greasy build-ups in kitchen drains, try home-made remedies. One solution is to first pour a half box of baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar. The foaming action is evidence that it is working. Apply vinegar until the baking soda is gone. Flush with hot water and follow up with the snake if needed.
• If the problem is a larger object, it is a simple matter to place a small bucket under the p-trap, disassemble the plumbing components, clean, and replace. All of this is not to say that you might not have to call in the professionals; the problem might be farther down the line. For example, over time tree roots can invade sewer lines and you will need a snake with a cutting head.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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