When you turn on the water, you expect the wastewater to disappear down your drain. You don't expect it to sit around, clogging things up. When it comes to dealing with clogs, there are several tricks you should know.
1. Always Start with Hot Water
When things are not flowing correctly, the first thing you will want to start with is hot water. Boil some water, and pour it down your drains, and then run the water as hot as you can for about fifteen minutes, following up with more boiling water as well.
Just pouring boiling water and running hot water down the drains is often all that is needed to clear away whatever junk is clogging things up. This is the first thing you should do when things are not running as they should.
2. Use the Plunger
You should have two plungers in your home. One for the toilet and one that is designed to be used in your sinks. A plunger is a great way to clear clogs, as it uses pressure to open the drain up.
When using the plunger, you will want to cover up the drain with the plunger and then move it back and forth for about two minutes. You will want to use smooth speed; don't move fast or use too much force. You want to slowly build up the pressure to build and clear way whatever is clogging the pipe.
If you are struggling to get a good seal, you can put a little petroleum jelly on the edge of the plunger to keep a tight seal.
3. Try Some Vinegar and Baking Soda
Next, you are going to want to try some vinegar and baking soda. When poured down your drain together, vinegar and baking soda can be really effective at breaking down the material in your drains. It can break down food waste and soap scum, opening things up and allowing everything to flow smoothly again.
A homemade cleaner will do the job just as well, if not better, than a chemical-based cleaner. Plus, a homemade cleaner like vinegar and baking soda is safer to use, both for yourself and your pipes.
When the tricks don't work, it is time to call in a professional drain cleaning company. They can use advanced equipment to clean the junk out of your drains and get to the root of the problem, allowing things to flow smoothly again. They can use tools like a plumbing snake and high-pressured water to get your pipes open again.