12 Quick Fixes For Your Clogged Drain Before Calling A Plumber

When the water’s not going down the drain as it normally should, you know you are in for a big headache.

Before picking up the phone and calling a plumber though, we suggest you try these 12 quick fixes we’ve shared below. You just might save some money and, you know, feel good about your newly-acquired DIY skills.

#1. Dish detergent.

Yes, that dish detergent sitting beside your sink can be used for clogging. In fact, you can prevent a clog before it even happens when you pour a cup of it down the drain. Pour some hot water too and this combination will break greasy gunk from forming.

#2. Plunger.

Well not on your face, buddy! Go give your clog some push using a plunger. The water will soon begin to drain again if the problem isn’t that bad yet.

#3. Boiling water.

There are instances when a good old boiling water pretty much does the trick. So give this one a try before going for the chemical alternatives.

#4. Fizzy antacid.

If boiling water doesn’t cut it, add a fizzy antacid to loosen the gunk.

#5. Baking soda and vinegar.

Pour half a cup each of baking soda and vinegar to your drain. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and then finish the job by pouring some hot water.

#6. Baking soda and lemon juice.

Not a fan of vinegars? Well, you can instead use a better-smelling substitute – the lemon juice.

#7. Borax and salt.

Just mix 1/4 cup each of Borax and salt with 1/2 cup of vinegar.

#8. Wire hanger.

Grab one of your wire hangers, straighten it out, and then bend an end into a hook. You can use this to fish out hair or junk that might be inside your drain. Click the play button and check out how it’s done.

#9. Zip tie.

Slice a zip or cable tie along the edges and then use it. This can be good in catching some hair.

#10. Soda bottle.

Got some spare soda bottles in the house? Cut it into a long ribbon as seen in the photo and use it for those gunks that are just too hard to reach.

#11. The Tubshroom.

Want to avoid the hassles in the first place? Get a Tubshroom – a “shower drain protector” that catches hair that tries to pass through. Watch the video above and see it in action.

#12. Final tip before calling the plumber.

Your drain’s still clogged at this point? This is your final option before calling the plumber.

Get a bucket and place it under the sink. Loosen the slip nuts and remove the u-bend. Dig out clumps and scrub the gunk using an old toothbrush and then put everything back.

Got any anti-clogging techniques to share? Go hit us up in the comment section!