Blocked bathroom drains lead to wastage of water. This leads to the soapy form and dirt to settle on the toilet floor or the side tiles making a mess of your toilet. If you let this to continue, you are putting yourself and your family in danger as the dirt and oil on the toilet floor can make the floor slippery and someone could slip and fall. You need to take immediate actions to clear the blocked bathroom drain. Below are Some of The Tips to Clear Blocked Bathroom Drains:
#1. Cleaning the Strainer:
The under part of the strainer will trap hair and oil over the years and gradually lead to a buildup of gunk. Most of the strainer can be removed with a free hand by either lifting the strainer or turning the strainer by unscrewing and opening it up. Once done you can see the gunk and hair all clumped together creating the clog. Once this has been removed the drain will work well again.
#2. Use Drain Claws:
If the strainer looks clean, then it means the clog is somewhere down the drain. This can be cleared using drain claws. Drain claws are long flexible cables with small interlocking hooks. The drain claw can be inserted through the drain to reach the point where you can feel the obstruction. At this point, you need to turn the drain claw slowly so that the clogged hair and other materials can wind on to the claws. Once done, slowly withdraw the drain claw and you will have the clog coming out easily.
#3. Chemical Cleaner:
There are many types of chemical cleaners such as potassium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, which can be poured through the drain. Allow it to work for 15 to 20 minutes, within this time the clog will get loosened. Try flushing the drain with water. You need to check with the department store or the hardware store from where the cleaner was purchased to know if the chemical is suitable for PVC pipes. Use appropriate safety measures like gloves and goggles before using these chemicals. There should be proper ventilation to let toxic fumes, that may be released, to be ventilated out.
#4. Baking Soda and Vinegar:
The mixture of baking soda and vinegar can trigger an explosive chemical reaction that can be used to clear a blocked bathroom drain. After removing the strainer, pour boiling water into the drain, followed by baking soda and vinegar. After waiting for 15 to 20 minutes, flush with more hot water. Repeat this for a few more times and most probably the clog will be dislodged.
#5. Toilet Plunger:
Plungers are simple equipment with rubber cups attached to a long handle. The rubber cup can trap the air inside. By not letting the air inside it to escape out while pushing on the plunger handle you can create a vacuum inside. When all air is removed, pull the handle outward swiftly so that any clog gets dislodged in your direction. Conversely, you can also place the plunger will full air inside and push on the long handle so that the clog is dislodged away from you. Repeat this process a few times and you can dislodge the clog.
#6. Drain Snakes:
Drain snakes are long flexible pipes that have spring coils within it that can be pushed into the drain. These pipes can go deep into the drain and over bends by controlling the pipe from one end. You can dislodge the clog at the farther end of the drain by pushing on the clog.
Try these easy tips to unblock your bathroom drain.
