If it’s mostly water being flushed down your drains, you might be wondering how they ever get clogged. It stands to reason that even the smallest particles would get washed away and into the sewer or septic system. The truth is, everything that goes down the drain has a chance to get caught on the pipe walls, making it more likely that additional gunk will start to collect, eventually causing a blockage. Therefore periodic drain cleaning is so important. Common debris that causes drain issues are:
- Food particles
- Grease
- Soap scum
- Toothpaste
- Hair
Home Remedies to Clear Drain Clogs
If you notice a clog in a pipe, drain cleaner doesn't have to be your first go-to. A homeowner's best tools are a plunger and a drain snake. If the clog is in a shower drain, use the drain snake to navigate down the pipes and push the clog clear. If you’re trying to clear a sink drain, grab the plunger and follow these steps:
- Put a wet rag in the overflow hole in the sink
- Remove the sink stopper
- Place the plunger over the drain hole to keep water from entering it
- Fill the sink with water until it covers the rubber part of the plunger
- Gently lift one side of the plunger to let a little water into the drain and cover it again
- Work the plunger up and down about 12 times, and then fully remove it from the drain
- Repeat this multiple times until the drain is cleared
- Run hot water down the drain for a couple of minutes to flush clean
