How To Clear Clogged Drains and When To Call A Professional

How To Clear Clogged Drains and When To Call A Professional

Even though we know the risk of a clog, we still tend to cause one every now and then. We often get distracted and multi-task, and before you know it we’ve overloaded a drain. Since drains lead to pipes and pipes lead to your septic system, let’s talk about how clogged drains can turn into big problems.

Septic Safety Week is celebrated every third week of September, and septic safety starts with our everyday habits! Read more about septic safety in our recent blog here. Alongside our drain clearing methods explained below, we’ve also included some additional tips from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Avoiding clogged pipes can help keep your septic system safe!

How to Clear a Clogged Sink

Option 1: Carefully pour hot water into the drain. Don’t use boiling water (it’s never a good thing to pour boiling water down any drain in your home). Let it be for a few minutes, and then try again.

Option 2: This option also includes using hot water. Pour hot water down the drain followed by a cup of baking soda and then a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse the drain with hot water again.

If the clog was not cleared by these at-home remedies, we don’t encourage trying method after method to get your drain cleared. At this point, you should call the professionals. The clog may be too big for at home methods to handle.

Homeowner Tip!

Think At The Sink

Educate the members in your household about what can and can’t be poured down the sink! Lessen the risk of clogged pipes by following these tips.

                          • Don’t let grease or fat make its way down the drain. Instead, pour the grease or fat into an airtight container.
                          • Limit food waste even if you have a garbage disposal. Just because you have a disposal, doesn’t mean your pipes can handle that food waste!
                          • Avoid disposing harsh chemicals down the sink

You don’t need to wait for a clog to occur to call a professional. Have your plumbing assessed and cleaned by calling the professionals at Lion Home Service.

How to Clear a Clogged Toilet

Option 1: Using a plunger is the first recommended method for unclogging a toilet. Be sure to sanitize your plunger afterwards!

Option 2: With the help of some common household products, you can tackle a toilet clog. Gather a cup of baking soda and carefully pour it into the toilet bowl. Wait about five minutes, and then follow that with two cups of vinegar. Some bubbles will form, and it should sit for a few minutes. After some time has passed, give it a flush. It may need a second flush to clear the clog.

Option 3: Add some liquid dish soap into your toilet bowl, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. The soap can help lubricate the clog. Then grab a bucket and fill it with hot water (remember, never pour boiling water down any drain). Carefully pour the hot water into the toilet bowl. After letting it sit for about five minutes, try to flush.

When should you call a professional? Well, if these methods don’t do the trick, your clog could be indicative of a larger issue. Don’t keep trying method upon method as it could be damaging to your pipes.

Homeowner Tip!

Think Before You Flush

Certain items such as paper towels, plastics, cotton swabs or balls, floss, wipes (even if they say they are flushable), feminine hygiene products, cat litter (even the flushable kind) and toxic substances should NOT be disposed of down the toilet! Items other than toilet paper do not break down adequately enough and will end up causing clogs and further septic and drain issues.

 

If you experience any of these telltale signs, be sure to call Lion Home Service at (970) 551-6987

  • If you have multiple drains clogging in your house
  • If you have multiple drains backing up in your house
  • If you smell sewage

Schedule your drain cleaning today to avoid frequent clogs and to maintain the health of your home’s pipes. Contact Lion Home Service for all your plumbing needs.

Lion's Tips for Homeowners
Categories: Plumbing
summer plumbing issues, clogged toilet fix, Fort Collins plumbing help, emergency plumbing
The Truth About DIY Plumbing: What You Should Never Try on Your Own When a toilet clogs or a faucet starts to leak, it’s tempting to take matters into your own hands. DIY plumbing is one of the most common approaches homeowners take to save time and money, … Read More
septic emergency Colorado, septic pump-out Fort Collins, high-use septic tips
Avoid a Summer Septic Emergency: Warning Signs & Solutions for Colorado Homes Colorado summers bring backyard barbecues, visiting guests, and longer showers, but they can also bring septic trouble if your system isn’t ready for the added demand. With more people at home or visiting during the … Read More
Peace of Mind Plumbing featured image
Peace of Mind Plumbing: Summer Prep Tips for Traveling Homeowners Whether you’re heading out for a weekend camping trip in the Rockies or jetting off for a long summer getaway, the last thing you want to come home to is a flooded kitchen or a … Read More
Summer Prep: Don’t Forget Your Sump Pump Summer in Colorado means blue skies, BBQs, and backyard projects. Still, it can also bring sudden rainstorms and ground saturation, threatening to flood your basement if your plumbing isn’t prepared. While most homeowners focus on … Read More
Colorado Summer Plumbing Checklist: Mid-Year Tips to Prevent Costly Repairs
Colorado Summer Plumbing Checklist: Mid-Year Tips to Prevent Costly Repairs Did you know that household leaks waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water yearly, and that ten percent of homes have leaks wasting 90 gallons or more per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency … Read More
Spring plumbing tips featured image
Spring Plumbing Tips As the warmer weather approaches, many homeowners start preparing their homes for the change in seasons. With increased outdoor activities, gardening, and irrigation system use, your plumbing system is about to work much harder. These … Read More