02/15/2022
My sink/toilet drain is clogged, what should I do?
Septic Safe Ways to Unclog a Sink Drain
When you’re faced with a clogged drain, you might find yourself reaching for a liquid drain cleaner. But, for the good of your pipes, you should reconsider. Liquid drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage your pipes and plumbing system. If you have PVC or older pipes, these chemicals can cause corrosion. The convenience of liquid drain cleaners isn’t worth the risk of potentially setting your home up for a plumbing emergence Instead, opt for one of the following quick, easy, and septic safe ways to unclog a drain. if you do use a liquid drain cleaner and it does not clear the clogged and you then call a professional it can be dangerous for the professional as well as yourself. When they're working on freeing the clog the chemical could splash onto their skin or in their face and cause damage.
What’s causing your clog?
Before you attempt to unclog your drain, it’s helpful to know what’s causing it in the first place. That way, you can prevent the clog from happening again.
Kitchen sink clogs
Fat, oil, and grease
The most common cause of kitchen sink clogs are fatty substances, or FOG: Fat, oil, and grease. Oils coat drains and build up over time, causing the drain to get slower and slower before it clogs completely. Grease and fats solidify when they cool, creating a total blockage. Even if you run it down with hot water it will still cool off before it reaches your tank.
Food particles
Be mindful of the food products you choose to wash down your garbage disposal —many of them can clog the drain. Vegetable peels and other large food particles can get trapped in the p-trap, otherwise known as the curved pipe underneath the sink. Along with clogs, the accumulated food particles can also create a nasty smell. We do not recommend using a garbage disposal at all as it can be harmful to your septic system. (We will be making a septet post in the coming weeks)
Bathroom sink clogs
Hair
If you or someone in your home has long hair, it probably comes as no surprise that it’s the cause of your clog. These clogs usually occur right below the drain, making methods like snaking the drain especially effective for removal.
Soap scum
Greasy residue from soap tends to coat the inside of your pipes, resulting in a clog. Severe cases of soap scum buildup can corrode pipes.
Toilets
Just because it says it can flush dose not mean you should. It may say flushable, but they are a high case of backups and clogs.
We do not reamend you flush any
Baby wipes.
Adult wipes.
Paper towels.
Cat litter of any kind.
The fixes
No matter what’s causing your clog, the following tips and tricks can get things running smoothly again—without any damage to your pipes or plumbing system.
Dish detergent
This method works best on clogs caused by grease—like residue from shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom, and cooking grease in the kitchen. Dish detergent can break through the greasy clogs the same way it breaks through grime and food waste on your dishes. Start by squirting a fair amount of detergent down the clogged drain, then follow it with a large pot of boiling water. This should take care of pesky grease clogs. You can also use this as a preventative method to keep clogs from forming in the first place.
Vinegar and baking soda
baking soda and vinegar produce a bubbling chemical reaction. You can use this duo to clear drain clogs naturally. Start by adding one cup of baking soda to the drain, and then wait a few minutes. Follow up with two cups of vinegar. The noise of the chemical reaction will indicate that the mixture is working.
Wait another couple of minutes before pouring some hot water down the drain. If the problem isn’t solved, repeat the steps again, or move on to another method.
Wet & dry vacuum
A wet & dry vacuum is a useful tool for unclogging drains. Start by connecting the vacuum to a power supply and preparing the surrounding area. Protect your floors by covering the perimeter surrounding the drain with towels and have a bucket handy nearby. Once you’re ready, proceed with the following steps:
1. Create a tight seal over the drain with the vacuum hose and turn the vacuum on to its highest setting.
2. Keep the hose over the drain until you hear the motor change, indicating that it’s sucking out a clog. Some water splashing may occur during the process due to air pressure.
3. Once the clog is removed, slowly remove the hose.
4. Run hot water down the drain to clear out any remaining pieces of the clog.
When DIY solutions aren’t enough, call in the experts. We can clear clogs and clean your drains with powerful tools to get the job done.