Homeowners in Toronto, Etobicoke and Mississauga have all experienced it. It starts when you notice the water isn’t draining quite as quickly as it used to from your bathtub or sink. But before you see it, the water hardly seems to drain at all. If untreated, the problem only gets worse, and you may even start to have unpleasant odours coming from the drains.
Fortunately, clearing a clogged drain is usually a simple matter, and there are easy remedies you can do yourself that will often solve the problem.
- Use a plunger.
Most GTA homeowners think of a plunger as a tool for the toilet. But it can also be used to unclog a sink or bathtub drain. Get into the practice of sanitizing your plunger after each use. That way, it can be used whenever – and wherever – you need it.
- Clean the trap.
If the clog occurs in the bathroom or kitchen sink, one thing you can try to do that may clear it is to clean the trap. The trap is that U-shaped pipe you see when you open the cabinet doors underneath. To clean the trap, begin by putting a bucket underneath to catch any water that leaks out. Then look for a clean-out plug (it should be located at the bottom of the U bend). Pull out the plug and let any water drain before cleaning out the pipe with an unwound wire hanger or a long flexible brush.
- Use a drain snake.
If using a plunger or cleaning the trap doesn’t do the trick, you can try using a drain snake. A drain snake is an inexpensive tool that can be inserted down through the tap into the pipes. Us the snake by pushing it down the drain and rotating it clockwise. When you push through the clog with the snake, you should feel something give. Work the snake back and forth until the clog releases.
- Pour hot water down the drain.
If the clog is caused by grease – which can be common with kitchen sinks in the Toronto area – you can try using hot water. Boil some water in a kettle and pour it down the drain. This should soften the grease enough to get it moving.
- Try a bottle of cola.
Believe it or not, but dark colas like Coke or Pepsi can actually be quite corrosive. To use this method, purchase a bottle of non-diet dark cola and pour it down the drain and then leave it for a couple of hours before running the tap. The coal has phosphoric acid that will help to dissolve any calcium build-up in your pipes.
And if these drain cleaning tricks don’t work?
While the tips listed above are usually quite effective, some drain clogs may need the help of a plumber.
If you are a homeowner in Toronto, Etobicoke or Mississauga, the professionals at D. Jason Plumbing are here to help. Contact us today for help with clogged drains or any other plumbing service you may need.