Fixing a Clogged Drain When Drano isn’t Enough

Your drain is clogged, so you did what many homeowners do: you reached for the Drano. Sometimes, that will solve your problem. Ultimately, however, using a chemical drain cleaner usually isn’t your best bet. These products frequently don’t work, and they contain extremely dangerous chemicals. When they make contact with the skin or are ingested or inhaled, they can cause serious damage. They’re not good for your home’s plumbing, either. When Drano won’t go down the drain, you need to find another option to remove your stubborn clog. You can call the experienced plumbers in Salt Lake City at Neerings for drain cleaning, or you can try a couple of other options first.

No matter what you try, remember that we are here for you when you need us. If you still can’t get your drain cleared out or you don’t want to mess with it, our experienced Salt Lake City plumbers will tackle the job for you.

Plunge it Out

When Drano won’t go down the drain, grab a plunger instead. Many people think that these are only good for toilets. However, they can create suction that can dislodge your clog. If you’re using a plunger, choose one that is suited for the type of clog you’re dealing with. There are plungers designed for use on toilets and other plungers that are designed for use in sinks. This gives it optimal effectiveness and gives you the best possible chance of removing that clog.

Household Remedies

If your drain drains at all, even if it’s very slow, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar and let it sit in your drain. Make sure all of the standing water has gone down before you try this. Use ½-1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar, plus a bit of water if you want to dilute things a little bit more. Pour it down the drain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. This causes a fizzing reaction that often works to break down minor clogs. Then flush with hot water. Sometimes, this mixture can break up clogs that even Drano can’t touch!

Plumbing Snakes

You can rent a plumbing snake at your local hardware store. This is usually a claw, hook, or pointed end on a long, flexible cable — in fact, a bent wire hanger also works well to remove hair and other gunk from drains. Simply straighten the hanger as much as you can, then bend one end over to create a small hook. You’ll thread the snake down into your drain, then use it to break up or pull out the clog. When Drano won’t go down your drain, sometimes this can move the clog instead.

When Do-It-Yourself Techniques Fail

Not all clogs can be removed without the help of a professional. If you’ve tried these techniques and haven’t had any success, or if you’re not comfortable using a plumbing snake on your own, we don’t blame you. It’s fairly easy to get them stuck in the drain, causing even more damage and more extensive drain and sewer repairs.

For drain cleaning in Salt Lake City, trust the experts at Neerings Plumbing. We perform camera inspections to ensure that your pipes are completely free of clogs and debris, and our drain cleaning techniques are extremely effective.