Buzz
If you observe that water in your bathtub or sink is draining slowly, it’s likely that your pipes are clogged. Fortunately, if detected early, you can easily clear the pipes using common household items. Vinegar, baking soda, borax, and hot water are simple yet highly effective solutions to unblock clogged pipes.
Steps
Prepare the Drain Cleaning Mixture
Drain all the water from the sink or bathtub. If the water is draining too slowly, this step may take a little longer. However, by draining the water completely, the cleaning mixture will work more quickly and effectively.
Gather cleaning products and kitchen supplies. You have numerous options to create a homemade drain cleaning solution that will trigger a chemical reaction when mixed. Check if you have the following clog-clearing substances:
- Vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar) is a basic acidic solution that causes a foaming reaction.
- Lemon juice is an acidic substance like vinegar but with a fresher scent. It’s a great option for unclogging kitchen sinks.
- Baking soda is often used as a multi-purpose cleaner.
- Salt helps to corrode the blockage in the pipes.
- Borax is also commonly used as a multi-purpose cleaner.
Pour vinegar and clog-clearing substances into the drain. There's no need to mix them before pouring. The mixture will foam and chemically react on its own.
- For the baking soda and vinegar mixture: use 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
- For the lemon juice and baking soda mixture: use 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of lemon juice.
- For the salt, borax, and vinegar mixture: use 1/4 cup of borax, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Target the Blockage Point
Cover and let the mixture sit. You can use a drain stopper or a cloth soaked in hot water to seal the pipe. Let it sit for 30 minutes. During this time, the foam will help to break down the blockage.
Use a plunger to clear the drain. Use a rubber plunger that fits the size of your sink to apply force on the clog. Seal the drain and press the rubber head firmly into the drain opening, pushing the plunger up and down.
- The plunger works best when the sink or bathtub is filled with water. The added water pressure will help to clear the blockage.
Use a hook to pull debris from the blockage point. If the clog is caused by hair, take a metal hook and bend it into a long wire with a small hook at the end. Carefully insert the hooked end of the wire into the pipe. Twist the wire to hook the debris. Once the debris is caught, gently pull the wire out.
- Be careful not to scratch the tub or sink with the metal. Also, be cautious when bending the hook as the metal can be very sharp.
Use a drain-clearing cable tool. This tool resembles a long metal cord. Carefully feed the tool into the drain pipe. When the cable gets stuck, gently twist it to trap debris inside. As you slowly pull the cable out, the pipe will be cleared. Run water and repeat the process.
- It’s advisable to wear protective gloves as the metal tool can be very sharp. Also, have an old towel and a small bucket ready to catch the debris from the pipe.
Flush the Drain
Flush the pipe with hot water. Boil at least 6 cups of hot water or a few full kettles. Open the drain and slowly pour the hot water down the pipe.
- If your home uses plastic pipes, avoid using water that’s too hot. Do not pour boiling water directly into the pipe.
Repeat the process. If the water is still draining slowly, repeat the steps until the water flows freely.
- If the water still doesn’t drain properly, there might be a large amount of hair stuck in the pipe. Manual intervention may be needed to clear the blockage. You may need to call a plumber, especially if the pipe has completely stopped draining.
Use gravity and pressure to clear the pipe. This method works best for drain pipes in bathtubs since you can fill the tub with several liters of water. Fill the tub with hot water, then open the drain and let the pressure from the water clear the clog.
Tips
- Check to ensure that the pipe is not corroded.
- You should see improvements after trying 2 or 3 times. If the pipe is clogged with hair, remove all debris and obstructions inside.
- These methods work best when you address the issue before the pipe gets completely blocked.
Warnings
- Concentrated vinegar (acetic acid) and lye can also be used to clear pipes, but these substances can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
- Avoid using these methods if you have already poured commercial drain cleaners into the pipes. Vinegar can react with chemicals in commercial drain cleaners to create harmful gases.
