Clogged drains are a part of life for most homeowners. A drain protector can catch most of the hair in your shower or large pieces of food in your sink, but clogs can still happen due to built-up minerals in your drains.

If your water is draining slowly or not at all, you should address the problem as soon as possible. You may be able to handle the drain problem by yourself if the clog is not too bad. However, while some DIY drain cleaning solutions can be effective, some can actually make the problem worse, damaging your pipes in the process.

Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your drain. And if you ever find yourself unable to deal with a clogged drain, the team at RedFin Plumbing Co. has you covered.

Be careful what you pour down the drain.

Stores are full of drain cleaners that promise quick results. And some of them may clear your drain, but most of them contain harsh, harmful chemicals that will damage your pipes and drains. You should stay away from chemical drain cleaning products and utilize other methods of drain cleaning.

Use a plunger – the RIGHT way.

A plunger can be an effective tool for clearing your drain if you know how to use it properly. Your first inclination might be to simply place the plunger over the drain and plunge it, but the process is slightly more involved than that. To use the plunger correctly, start by filling your bathtub or sink with water. Then you can put the plunger over the drain and plunge it for around 20 to 30 seconds. If you use your plunger properly, the debris should loosen, leaving you with a clear drain.

If needed, try a drain snake.

A plunger can help you deal with minor clogs, but it might not work on worse clogs. In those cases, a drain snake (also called a “drain auger”) can help you solve the problem. A drain snake is a long, coiled wire that goes deep into the clog to break it up and pull it up. Your local home improvement and tool store might have plumbing tool rentals, so you can rent a drain snake just for this purpose.

Once you have your drain snake, take the following steps to use it:

Place the drain snake into the opening of the drain.
Turn the handle of the drain snake so that the wire begins moving down the drain. As it progresses, the snake will start encountering resistance.
Rotate the snake until you feel it catch the clog; the snake will attach itself to the clog. Continue rotating the snake, and the clog will either break up or be pulled back up.
After the bulk of the obstruction is removed from your drain (again, either broken up or pulled out of the drain), run hot water down the drain. You may need to do this several times until the rest of the clog is removed.

When in doubt, call a plumber.

There is only so much you can do as a homeowner with limited tools and expertise. If you’ve attempted to use a plunger and a drain snake to no avail, turn to RedFin Plumbing Co. We have the advanced methods and knowledge to handle clogs of all kinds, even the ones resistant to DIY drain clearing tools.

Trust the team at RedFin Plumbing Co.

RedFin Plumbing Co. is the plumber that residential and commercial clients can turn to for all their plumbing needs. Trained and experienced, our team offers not just drain unclogging but sewer line services, water treatment services, disposal repair and replacement, water heater services, toilet and tub repairs, and so much more.

Contact us today if you have any more questions about these drain tips. If you would like to schedule an appointment, we are here to help!