Drain Cleaning DIY Ideas That Actually Work for Phoenix Homes

When your drain is clogged but you don’t want to call a local Phoenix plumber yet, try these safe DIY drain cleaning methods first:

Plunging

A sink plunger is a smaller version of the toilet plunger that most people own. It’s easy to use and fits in a variety of small spaces, making it ideal for all kinds of sinks regardless of where they’re located in your home. Using a plunger on your sink, shower, or tub drain can dislodge whatever is blocking it enough to get water flowing again.

To use a plunger on a sink first cover the overflow hole, to allow the plunger to generate more pressure, and then use a steady push and pull motion to break up the clog inside your pipe. Don’t be surprised to find pieces of the clog come up into your sink or tub as you plunge. That means it’s working!

Snaking

For more stubborn clogs, a plunger may not work. A plastic drain snake can bore through more serious clogs. If the clog is caused by hair, a toothed sink snake can help pull the hair up so you can remove it without forcing it further into the pipe. This is a great tool to have on hand for use in bathroom sinks, showers, and bathtubs because they’re cheap and don’t take up much room. 

To use a drain snake, remove the sink’s stopper and gently feed it into the drain. Gently move it around to get through the clog and pull out anything that sticks to it. Be ready to clean the snake off and repeat the process, as some clogs may require multiple rounds of snaking before the clog is fully fixed.

Hot Water Flush

If you suspect that grease buildup is the cause of your clog, like in a kitchen sink, pouring hot water down the drain can help break up the blockage. To avoid burning yourself and damaging your pipes, don’t use boiling water. Instead, use very hot (not quite boiling) water and pour it down your sink slowly.

For especially stubborn clogs, squirt some dishwasher soap down your drain before beginning because the dish soap acts as an emulsifier to break down grease better. 

Baking Soda and Vinegar Reaction

The fizzing chemical reaction that baking soda and vinegar produce can help when you’re experiencing slow draining rather than an actual clog. Pour baking soda into your drain and then immediately pour the same amount of vinegar into your drain in a 1:1 ratio (i.e. if you 0.5 cup of baking soda corresponds to 0.5 cup of vinegar). Cover the drain with a small towel to ensure the pressure from the reaction goes downward into the pipe. Then, flush thoroughly with hot water to flush the baking soda and vinegar out.

Cleaning the P-Trap

If you have tried some of these methods and the clog still persists, it might be located deeper in the pipe, likely down in the u-shaped pipes underneath (known as the p-trap).

Place a bucket underneath and loosen the slip nuts with a wrench to remove it. Once removed, clean it out thoroughly. If the p-trap is the problem, you should see heavy buildup inside. Use your fingers or a bottle brush to clean it out thoroughly before reattaching it. Be careful not to overtighten the slip nuts when putting it back together. Then test it by running water down the pipe with the bucket still underneath in case the nuts need to be further tightened.

If these techniques solved the problem, great! If not, give us a call today at 1 (800) 674-9130 for Phoenix drain cleaning services. We are drain cleaning specialists with many years of experience in Phoenix plumbing and sewer work!