8 Tips for Unclogging Drains with DIY Solutions

Posted on March 16, 2023 by weilhammerplumbing

No one wants to deal with clogged drains. They can be a real hassle and often require professional help to fix, which can be expensive. But before you call the plumber, try these homemade drain cleaner solutions first! With just a few natural ingredients from around your house, you may be able to unclog your sink or bathtub in no time. Scroll down to review 8 tips for unclogging drains with DIY solutions.

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How to Fix a Clogged Drain Yourself

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar: This homemade drain cleaner is one of the most popular DIY solutions out there. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the clogged drain, followed by ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing with hot water again. If this doesn’t work, you can try adding more baking soda or vinegar to the mix.

2. Salt and Borax: For those stubborn clogs, mix ¼ cup salt with ¼ cup borax in a bowl, then pour it down your drains. Let it sit overnight before flushing with hot water in the morning to clear away any residue and help break up clogs.

3. Lemon Juice and Baking Soda: This homemade drain cleaner is great for keeping your drains smelling fresh as well as helping to unclog them. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a cup of lemon juice. Wait 15 minutes before flushing with hot water again.

4. Plunger: A plunger can be used to help break up clogs in most types of sinks and tubs. Start by running hot water down the drain to soften the clog, then use a plunger in an up-and-down motion over the drain hole until the clog is gone.

5. Auger: Using an auger is a great way to unclog clogged drains. An auger, also known as a drain snake, is a tool that consists of a long flexible cable with a corkscrew-like head at the end. It can be used to clear clogs in pipes and drains without having to use harsh chemicals or resorting to professional help.

6. Wire Hanger: For those particularly stubborn clogs, a wire hanger can be used to break them up. First, straighten the wire hanger out and create a small hook at one end. Then, insert the wire into the drain hole and try to snag any debris that may be causing the clog. Once you’ve removed as much as you can, flush with hot water again.

7. Wet/Dry Vacuum: If all else fails, try using a wet/dry vacuum to suck up any standing water in your sink or tub. This will allow you to reach further down and remove more debris from the clogged drain.

8. Boiling Water: Last but not least, boiling water can help break up some types of clogs. Start by pouring 1 pot of boiling water down the clogged drain, followed by a second pot if necessary. This homemade drain cleaner is easy to use and very effective!

If you’ve tried all of these homemade drain cleaner tips but still can’t unclog your drains, it may be time to call in a professional plumber in Indianapolis. But with these seven DIY solutions, you should be able to clear away most minor clogs without having to spend too much time and effort on the task!

The Advantages of Using Homemade Drain Cleaner

When it comes to drain maintenance, keeping your drains clean and clear has many advantages. And homemade drain cleaner can help you do achieve optimal drain performance. As opposed to store-bought chemicals, homemade drain cleaner is a natural option that helps dissolve clogs and blockages. In addition, homemade solutions are often cheaper than most store-bought options and provide a safer environment that is not harmful to your plumbing system. Not only are homemade drain cleaners more environmentally friendly, but they can also be tailored to your specific needs in order to clean one’s drains effectively and efficiently. Investing in homemade drain cleaner for your home is an excellent way to ensure that your drains stay healthy without having to turn to harsh chemicals or expensive commercial products.

Still can’t seem to get your drains to drain? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed and insured plumbing service in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our state-licensed master plumbers serve residential and commercial clients.

How to Unclog a Sink if the Drain Snake Does Not Work

Posted on June 9, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

Whether you call it a drain snake, plumber snake, or small drum auger, virtually every renter and homeowner has one. You can purchase a drain snake at the grocery store, the dollar store, the home improvement store, and at almost any online retailer of the sort. They are easily accessible and very inexpensive, so they are a highly recommended tool to have around the house. You can even use them to unclog toilets, showers, and tubs. But sometimes, plastic augers are just not enough to unclog a stubborn sink drain.

If you are attempting to unblock a clogged sink, but the plumber snake isn’t working out, continue reading for some drain clearing tips that will help you get past this common, but oh-so-frustrating, obstacle.

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Why is the Drain Snake Not Working?

Drain snakes are easy tools to use, so you will know right away whether yours is working or not. To use a drain snake, you insert it deep into the drain, twist it around several times, and then pull it back up. The auger should pull out all sorts of unsightly materials, like hair, soapy residue, and dental floss.

Although very effective tools, they are not always the right choice for a clogged drain. In fact, there are many reasons why a drain snake might be ineffectively unclogging your sink. One of the most common in easily fixable reasons why a drain auger won’t work is because the old clogging material is still attached to the rod. Be sure to fully clean your drain auger before reusing it for another clog.

Another common reason why augers fail to do the trick has to do with the structural integrity of the auger itself. If you are using a small drum auger rather than a plastic drain snake, it is possible that the thumbscrew has come loose. If the thumbscrew is loose, the auger will not be able to effectively rotate. And if the auger will not rotate, it won’t be able to catch and pull any debris or blockage within the drain.

If you can’t even push the auger down into the drain, it’s because there is a heavy blockage that is denser than the overall tensile strength of the tool. In this case, you would need something more heavy-duty to dislodge the blockage, or perhaps even more invasive plumbing repair. Severe sink clogs are difficult to repair with a plumber snake.

What to Do About a Clogged Sink

If your drain snake is not working, but none of the above-mentioned reasons are to blame, you have two viable options: attempt to loosen the clog with a drain cleaner and repeat the auger process again, or save time and effort by contacting a professional Indianapolis plumber for drain clearing service. Just be sure you do not ignore a clogged drain, as they can lead to more serious plumbing problems, like burst pipes and water leaks.

Looking for a professional plumber who can make all of your plumbing problems go away without breaking the bank? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed and insured plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana, and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial customers.

How to Remove Hair From a Bathroom Drain

Posted on April 21, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

Getting hair stuck in the bathroom drain is one thing, but dealing with a perpetually clogged drain due to a long time buildup of hair and residue is beyond frustrating. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to fix this problem. All you need are a few supplies and a little elbow grease, or just a phone to call for professional plumbing assistance.

Continue reading to learn how to remove hair from bathroom drain, and who to call for trusted Indianapolis plumbing advice and service at an affordable price.

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Need to Get Hair Out of the Bathroom Drain?

There is no shame in having a little hair buildup in your bathroom drain. People shed, and will continue to do so as long as we have hair on our bodies. Naturally, when we bathe, all of that shedding hair comes off of us and goes down into our drains. For those who often style their hair over the bathroom sink, hair in the drain can also be a recurrent issue. What’s worse is, it doesn’t take very much hair to clog up a drain. But as mentioned, there are some simple ways to resolve such issues.

Flush Your Drain With Extremely Hot Water

One of the best methods, and easiest for that matter, is to simply flush your bathroom drain with extremely hot water. In fact, no matter what method you end up using, always start with this one first. It helps to dissolve the soap and oils that are holding all of the clumped hair together inside your drain. So, if you do this at first, it makes all other methods more effective.

You can choose to turn up the temperature gauge on your water heater and run the faucet for several minutes, or you can boil water on your stove and then dump it down your drain. Just be sure to use extreme caution if you are carrying boiling water from your stove to your bathroom. If you decide to turn your water heater temperature gauge up, be sure you remember to turn it back down to a safe range when you are finished.

If this method doesn’t work, try these:

► Baking Soda and Distilled White Vinegar

A homemade, non-toxic drain cleaner is a great second strategy to go for if your bathroom drain is still clogged with hair after pouring hot water down it. Simply combine equal parts baking soda and distilled white vinegar, usually 1 cup each is good, and then pour that solution down the drain. Allow it to sit for several minutes, up to 20 if you have time, and then rinse it thoroughly with hot water. This method is often effective because the chemical reaction that is created when vinegar and baking soda come into contact with each other helps to loosen any hair that it is stuck to the side of plumbing pipes.

► Manual Drain Cleaning

When all else fails, you can always rely on good old elbow grease to get the job done. Go to your local store and buy a drain auger or drain snake. Don’t get too fancy, a simple plastic one for a few dollars will do the trick. Most drain augers, regardless of price point, come with a set of instructions. Simply follow these instructions and be marveled at how much hair it actually pulls out of your drain. As mentioned, it helps to perform strategies one and two before taking a manual approach, as it will make the job much easier for yourself.

Have you tried everything in your bathroom drains just won’t unclog? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for affordable and prompt clogged drain plumbing service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients, and offer free plumbing advice.

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