How to Unclog a Drain: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of how to unclog a drain. When we’re done, your customers can watch as your worries are washed down the drain.

A drain that sees regular use would get clogged once in a while. This is true for all drains, be they bathroom drains or toilet sinks. But no matter how common this event is, it remains one of the most annoying plumbing issues to have as a homeowner.

An overflowing sink caused by a clogged drain can really put a damper on a day. Which is why we at IB Tools provide high-quality drains and sinks that would ensure your customers don’t have to experience this issue constantly. All of our products, from our sinks to our efficient drains, are manufactured with an eye to all details that ensure your customer’s convenience.

The first thing you should know is how a drain works.

Understanding How Drains Work

A drain has the job of collecting all the water from a sink or shower, and directing them into the pipes. Most sink drains also have a trap (usually U-shaped) that collects debris from the flowing water. They also function as odor blockers, preventing bad smells from traveling back up the pipe and into the room.

Keeping this in mind can help ensure that you don’t damage your pipes in the process of unclogging them.

How To Unclog A Drain?

Before attempting to unclog a drain, there are a few items you need to begin. These are must-have tools that your customers should own as homeowners. They include:

• A Plunger
• A Flashlight
• Some Rubber Gloves
• An Adjustable Wrench
• A Bucket
• A Drain Snake

Clogged drains are a fairly regular occurrence, so having these tools in a home is recommended. Your customers might be able to unclog their drains with some alternatives, but they may succeed in damaging them instead.

There are two approaches to fixing clogged drains. Your customers can use the manual method, or try the chemical route. However, we recommend using manual efforts before picking up any chemicals.

Manual Method to Unclog a Drain

This method entails using the outlined tools to get the clogged drain fixed. You and your customers can clear almost any clogged drain by following these steps.

• Clear The Drain Of Stagnant Water: Empty the standing water in the sink or bathroom before you begin. This is because standing water fosters growth of bacteria, mold, and insects. This also increases the visibility of the drain, especially when the standing water is soapy or mucky.

• Remove Any Visible Debris: Once all the water is gone, you can easily access the drain to examine it for any debris. Little things like hair and food scraps can get lodged in the drain and prevent the free flow of water into the pipes. Fortunately, some high-quality drains like the 24-inch Block Black Linear Drain from IB Tools come equipped with a hair filter for this purpose.

Once you see any such thing, put on your gloves and extract the obstruction. In some cases, this might solve your problem.

• Clean The Trap: If the drain isn’t free after visible debris have been removed, the next step is to remove the trap. This part of the drain is designed to catch debris in an easily accessible area, preventing a blockage further down in the pipes.

Removing the trap would need a wrench, but ensure to place a bucket below it before you open it. This would catch any water or junk.

Loosen the slip nut on the trap arm with the wrench, then bring it out gently. Remove any collected debris in there and reinstall.

• Use the Plunger: You can employ a plunger if your drain is still clogged after cleaning the trap. Plungers work better in a little water, so you can pour just enough to cover the drain before you begin. This step usually does It for most drain issues.

• Snake The Drain: If the plunger doesn’t work, you should try the snake tool. This is a long flexible tool that you can insert into your pipes to grip the obstruction and pull it out. If the drain snake isn’t your solution, you might have to seek professional help.

Chemical Method to Unclog a Drain

This method entails the use of certain caustic chemicals to remove clogs that are farther down the pipes. The chemicals are supposed to dissolve the clog, allowing water to pass freely.

Some people advocate for homemade combinations, like the mixture of vinegar and baking soda in hot water. Others go for store-bought drain cleaners. Ensure to follow safety precautions while using these, as caustic chemicals can cause harm if they come in contact with bare skin.

Here’s a quick warning: Never use these chemicals before plunging, as they may splash back and damage your skin.

If your drains are still clogged after everything is done, you should seek professional help.

Conclusion

Unclogging drains can be tiring and stressful, but with our tips, your can lighten your stress. However, we should point out that quality drains don’t clog as frequently as substandard ones.

If you want to prevent the constant occurrences of these plumbing headaches for your customers, you can provide then some elegant and high-quality drains from IB Tools today.

Contact us when you’ve found out what you want, and we’ll set up your account swiftly. Remember to reach out to us for any problems you may have. We’re here to help.