How often do you think about the drains in your house? Usually, drains are happily overlooked, quiet aspects of our bathrooms and kitchens that work without much help from us, and we like it that way. We usually take any drain for granted--until, of course, it stops working. That's when we're finally forced to pay attention to this little device that does its job in complete silence. It's only when there's something wrong with the drain that we begin to truly appreciate just how much we rely on it--not to mention, a clogged drain can quickly go from inconvenience to disaster.
Luckily, it's easy to unblock a clogged drain and protect your plumbing.
The Drain
Why is it so important to take care of our drains? In order to answer this question, we'll first need to consider all the work we assign to the drain. Think, for a moment, about all of the things that go down your bathroom and kitchen drains: dirt, pet hair, soap, bits of food, the occasional unidentified object. Generally, we prefer everything that we wash off our hands to go away--and with a blocked drain, all of those things will be forced to stick around. This can lead to stained or dirty sinks, ruined plumbing, and health concerns. Unblocking a clogged drain is important, but, luckily, it's also surprisingly easy.
Four Steps to Save Your Drains
So, how can you unblock any drain and protect your sink and plumbing? Here's a quick look!
- Plunger. The first thing to do: grab your trusty plunger. Fill the sink a quarter of the way with water, using a towel to block the other drain if you have a double sink, and then plunge rapidly until the water begins to drain out. This technique works with most small obstructions and blockages.
- Baking soda and vinegar. If the plunger doesn't work, you'll have to resort to these, the makings of science-project volcanoes. Put a cup of baking soda down the drain, pour a cup of vinegar in, and then close the stopper. The mixture will bubble (just like those volcanoes!) and work its way down the pipes, clearing blockages as it goes. After five minutes, open the stopper and run warm water down the drain.
- Call a plumber. If other techniques repeatedly fail, it's probably time to find a professional plumber. Plumbers can help unclog that drain, plus they can give you tips for how to reduce future blockages--and that's good news for your drains!
Having trouble with the plumbing in your home? Looking for reliable Boise Plumbers? Contact us today!