 We use our plumbing every single day, but most of us don't give our drains a second thought until the water stops flowing. Whether it’s a bathroom sink filling up while you brush your teeth or a kitchen sink that’s slow to drain after dinner, a sluggish pipe is a cry for help.
Before you run to the store for a bottle of harsh chemical drain cleaner, let’s talk about how to handle common clogs safely without ruining your pipes. The Hidden Danger of Chemical Drain Cleaners When a drain slows down, the knee-jerk reaction for many homeowners is to pour a liquid chemical cleaner down the hatch. While it seems like an easy fix, professional plumbers rarely use them—and for good reason. These chemical formulas rely on high-heat chemical reactions to melt away blockages. This intense heat can soften and deform PVC pipes or corrode older metal lines, leading to incredibly expensive leaks down the road. They emit toxic fumes that can irritate your eyes and lungs. Plus, if the chemical fails to clear the clog, you're left with a sink full of toxic, stagnant water that makes it dangerous for a professional to fix. 3 Safe Ways to Clear a Slow Drain at HomeIf you're dealing with a minor, everyday blockage, try these safe DIY methods first: 1. The Baking Soda & Vinegar FlushFor a natural, pipe-friendly refresh, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow it up by pouring a half cup of white vinegar down the drain. Let it fizz for about 15 minutes to break down grease and soap scum, then flush it completely with a kettle full of boiling water (use hot tap water if you have PVC pipes and please be careful as you do this). 2. Grab the Right PlungerIf there is standing water, use a plunger. Make sure you are using a standard cup plunger (which has a flat bottom perfect for sinks and tubs) rather than a toilet flange plunger (which has an extended rubber sleeve). Ensure there is enough water to cover the rubber cup, seal it tightly over the drain, and give it a few sharp, vertical plunges to dislodge the debris. 3. Use a Plastic Drain SnakeFor bathroom sinks clogged with hair and soap buildup, a cheap, flexible plastic "drain snake" or hair zip tool from the hardware store works wonders. Gently feed it into the drain, twist, and pull it back up to fish out the hair blocking the trap. When to Call in the Pros? While a single slow sink is usually an easy fix, some signs point to deeper issues in your main sewer line that require professional tools. Give a licensed plumber a call if you experience: Multiple Clogged Drains: If your kitchen sink, bathroom tub, and toilet are all backing up at the same time, the blockage is deep in your main line. Foul Odors: Persistent sewer smells coming from your drains often mean a broken vent pipe or a sewage backup. Frequent Reoccurring Clogs: If you have to plunge the exact same sink every single week, you aren't actually removing the block—you're just pushing it down the line. We're here to help in the Oakdale, Minnesota area! Give us a call at 651-340-1259. Bonus Pro Tip: Prevent future issues by installing simple mesh drain strainers in your sinks and showers which can catch hair and debris before it ever enters your plumbing system.
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 Are you a bath bomb user? Many people love using them to relieve stress or just have a sweet-smelling bath, but can it cause problems with your plumbing? That’s a great question.
Depending on the ingredients of your bath bombs, you might be left dealing with a clogged drain in your bathtub. Luckily, Tony’s Plumbing and Heating is here to help! Check the Ingredients Most bath bombs are made with salts, oils, and scents to help create a relaxing, yet fragrant spa-like experience. They can contain Epsom salt or baking soda to help soothe your sore muscles, which both dissolve well in water. Some of the other ingredients like cornstarch, essential oils, cocoa butter, essential oils, and glitter. Glitter never goes down the drain well. In addition to that, some of the ingredients that don’t dissolve well in water can leave behind a residue in your tube, as well as cling to the walls of the pipes in your home. As time passes, these ingredients can build up and collect other things like hair and soap to cause clogs. Keeping Your Pipes Clear If you want to keep using bath bombs, we think that’s a great idea! Don’t give up a little “me time” because you might get a clogged pipe or drain over time. Here are a few simple steps to keep those clogs and pipes clear:
Pretty simple steps to keep enjoying your bath bombs whenever you need a little stress relief! Of course, if you do find yourself with a clogged drain that just won’t budge, we’re here to help.  Ewwwww… gross. There is a hair clog in your drain. This might be one of the most wretched tasks that one might have to accomplish. If you have ever cleaned out a hair clog in a drain, you know that it looks gross, smells gross, and is wretch-inducing. So, to avoid having to perform this task, let’s talk about how to prevent the hair from clogging up in the first place. You’re probably not going to remove the source of the hair-causing clogs (i.e. family members and yourself) from your home, so let’s focus on your plumbing.
Before taking a shower or bath, clean any loose hairs you see laying on the base of the tub and shower and throw them in the trash can. The same goes for the bathroom sink. This helps reduce the amount of hair that can end up down the drain. Add a protective screen, such as a drain cover for over and under your drains. This will catch the hair and prevent it from going down the drains, we suggest the drain covers that are specifically designed to trap hair. Remember to clean the cover regularly by removing the hair and placing it into a trash can. You can also try flushing all of your drains at once, sending a torrent of water to clear up the hair and debris. Several people will have to coordinate for this task. Close all the drains including the bathtub and shower and sinks, and then fill each one with warm water. Have someone standing by each one of your drains and toilets, then coordinate your water attack! Have everyone open the drains and flush all the toilets at the exact same moment. This could flush all the debris out of the pipes, but if this fails, further cleaning of the pipes will need to be done. If these preventative measures don’t quite do the trick, and you still have water that won’t drain, here’s how to clean the clog. If you can see the clog, try removing it with your hands or a bent wire hanger (they also sell plastic, barbed drain-cleaners instead of using a wire hanger). If this doesn’t clear the drain, then you can try a chemical drain cleaner from the store, or you can try this natural solution. Pour ¾ cup of baking soda into the drain, and then pour ½ cup vinegar down the drain after the baking soda. Then plug the drain for about 30 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. Look to see if you can see the drain is clear and run water for about five minutes to see if this did the trick. If the clog still persists, you might need to bring in the professionals. Give us a call at Tony’s Plumbing to help with your clogged drain needs! |
AuthorAt Tony's Plumbing & Heating, we offer outstanding residential and commercial plumbing and heating services in the East Twin Cities metro. With our blog, we hope to bring you useful tips and tricks for ever day life! Categories
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