If you have a clogged drain, then before you delve into the plumbing, it’s important to locate the clog, which shouldn’t be hard if it’s only one drain that won’t, well, drain. Then, before you call the plumber here are some suggestions that you can try for getting rid of the clog on your own.

Many a times, there is a possibility that the clog is near the drain stopper only. So, remove the strainer and clean it properly. Mostly, hair, food particles, sediments, grime etc. get stuck there blocking the flow of water. So, it s highly recommended to clean the drain stopper regularly.

Chemicals are also a solution for clearing clogged drains. You can use baking soda, vinegar and boiling water as a chemical solution for clearing clogs and these are easily available at homes. Put 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the drain and leave it for some time until they dissolve the clog. Then put hot water to check if it is flowing smoothly.

Use a drain snake to find and break up the clog. Remove the drain stopper or strain and use the snake (or plumber’s auger) to explore the drain until you find the clog, at which point you can hook, loosen, and break up the clog.

Plunger is another common plumbing tool. You can apply petroleum jelly to it’s rim to make it work more effectively as then you can apply the maximum suction force to loosen whatever substance is clogging your pipes. After using a plunger, you can test whether the drain is clear or not by pouring hot water down the drain.

Apart from these methods, there are many other chemical products in the market that are specially used for clearing drains. But you should always try out other methods first and if none of them work, only then try using these chemicals as these can be harmful for the environment.

You can use other complicated methods also to fix the problem but only if you have good knowledge about the whole plumbing system otherwise you can cause more damage than repair. SO, if you have tried all the options mentioned above but none worked for you, then it is advisable to call a professional plumber as some things are better left for the experts.

Take some time out to find a good and a reputed plumber for your home as this is really important. You can take help from the internet or can also ask your friends and neighbors. Once hired, you can also ask for some general tips to keep the plumbing system in good condition.