Is your shower draining slower than a snail again? we feel you. Dealing with blocked drains stinks. But calling a plumber to clear clogs can be crazy expensive. No worries as per experts like The Relining Company, with a few household products and DIY tricks, you can debunk drain clogs yourself for just pennies. In this article, let’s dig into budget-friendly ways to destroy drain blockages and get things flowing freely again.
Start with a Plunger
Before pulling out the toxic chemicals, reach for the trusty plunger. A few good plunges generate suction and pressure that can dislodge clogs. Plunge a sink 5-10 times in short bursts. Cover overflow holes with rag first. For tubs, fill with 2” water, plug overflow, and plunge vigorously.
Aim plunger over drain hole at angle for best suction. Repeat until the drain clears. Easy peasy.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Here’s a mini science experiment to blast away drain grime – the classic baking soda and vinegar combo. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then follow with 1 cup hot white vinegar. The reaction causes fizzing and foaming that breaks up gunk. Let sit 5-10 minutes before rinsing with hot water.
For extra power, cover the drain after pouring in vinegar. The pressure buildup gives clogs an extra punch.
Salt and Baking Soda
For a less splashy option, mix 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and dump down the drain. Follow with 2 quarts of boiling water. The abrasive salt scrapes away grime while baking soda dissolves grease and funk. Let sit overnight, then flush with hot water.
This combo works great on bathroom sinks and tub drains. Just don’t use porcelain fixtures as the salt can scratch.
Clean with a Snake
For drains that stay stubborn after chemical means, it’s time to get physical. Use a snake (also called a drain auger). Feed the flexible coil down the drain and crank the handle to maneuver it further inside. The twisting metal will latch onto and dislodge stuck-on gunk.
Start with plastic snake for bathroom sinks/tubs, then upgrade to a metal one for kitchen lines. Be patient working the coils to clear blocks.
Prevent Clogs with Baking Soda
Why does baking soda keep popping up? Because it neutralizes stinky drain odors and prevents future clogs when used regularly. Once a week, pour 1/2 cup down drains before bed. It keeps pipes fresh and clear overnight. Add a vinegar chase if you hear bubbles (that’s buildup being dissolved.).
This cheap trick maintains free-flowing drains so you never have to battle another clog again.
Flush Pipes with Boiling Water
For an easy weekly drain refresh, pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. This melts and flushes away grease and gunk before it can solidify into clogs. Follow with cold water to solidify the leftover grease again. Then it will slide smoothly down the pipes when you drain dishes or shower.
I like to boil lemon peels in the water too. It adds a fresh citrus scent as you flush.
Use a Wet/Dry Shop Vac
Don’t have a traditional plunger? No worries – a wet/dry shop vac works nearly as well for sucking blockages free. Attach the nozzle to the drain and flip the vac on/off 5-10 times rapidly. The pulsing suction will bulge out clogs. Slowly remove the nozzle as you turn it on to slurp any loosened gunk. Check if the drain is clear afterward.
Prevent Clogs with Strainers
Clogs happen when stuff gets stuck in pipes. Stop junk from going down in the first place with sink strainers and drain screens. Cheap plastic or stainless steel strainers trap food scraps and hair before reaching the pipes. Bathtub drain screens also catch strands of hair. Super simple but very effective.
Conclusion
Well, those are my best budget-friendly tricks for destroying drain clogs at home. Next time your sink is gurgling, try these fixes before calling an expensive plumber. You can clear that sludge in no time for just pennies. Let me know which tips work best for you.