How to clean clogged drains

A common plumbing problem often relates to the clogged up drain. There is a wide range of reasons for this problem, which might include grease or food waste blocking up the kitchen sink, unsuitable items flushed in the toilet bowl, to hair clogs or soap scum building up in the bathroom drains.

It is often the case that these problems are quite simple to clear by the homeowner with even the smallest amounts of do-it-yourself skills, although in the more troublesome situations, it might be necessary to call on the services of a reliable plumbing service.

Here are several of the main tools which might be used in the process of cleaning drains of unwanted debris:

Plunger

Likely to be the simplest and most effective approach to clearing drain clogs, a plunger is able to offer a very effective tool and is generally the first item used in a situation of this nature. A plunger is a very cost-effective tool for clearing the most basic of plumbing problems, with a half decent one costing as little as $5-$8.

 It is important however to purchase a sturdy and well-made plunger, since the very cheap and flimsy built plunger isn’t particularly productive in use. It often benefits to have several spare plungers in the home which can be used for the various sinks and plug holes that might be blocked in the course of everyday use.

Drain Auger

If a plunger isn't able to clear a blocked drain and it becomes apparent that debris seems to be stuck further down the drain pipe, it might be a requirement to use a drain or snake auger. Basically, this tool is a long length of steel cable which is highly flexible and is effective at clearing the rubbish that might have been built up inside the drain. It is possible to find these tools at a range of lengths, although it is generally found that a cable at 15 to 25 foot is adequate for cleaning drains in most homes.