When to Call a Plumber: DIY Solutions for Simple Clogged Drains

My nephew was recently showing me this funny account that he found on Twitter. It’s called You Had One Job. One of the posts was a picture of a grocery store, and someone had filled the lemon box with limes and then placed it right beside a lime box filled with lemons. The punchline of every single one of these posts is always that someone had one job to do, and yet they still thoroughly biffed it.

I told my nephew that the account reminded me of something from my line of work as a plumber: clogged drains. See, a good picture of a clogged drain would be right at home on You Had One Job. Why? Well, drains have one job, to drain water. And when they get clogged, they just can’t do that one job.

For most folks who experience a clogged drain, though, it isn’t exactly a funny situation that they’d tweet about. Which is why, today, I want to talk about some quick and simple clogged drain home remedy ideas, so you can take care of the problem without the stress. I’ll also give you some scenarios when it would be best to call a professional plumber here in Sacramento—because sometimes when someone, like a homeowner, tackles a job they aren’t made for, they biff it, just like on my nephew’s favorite Twitter account.

Clogged Drain Home Remedy #1: Use a Plunger

We all have a plunger in our bathroom in case there’s an issue with the toilet backing up, but you can and should also use one if you have a clog anywhere else, including in your bathtub or any one of your home’s sinks.

We’ve talked in the past about how to unclog a drain with standing water, so this may sound a little familiar.

1. If I were you, I’d put on some clothes you don’t mind getting pretty dirty because, to be quite honest, plunging a clog can often turn up some pretty nasty stuff.
2. Start by filling your sink halfway with water; a few inches is good enough for your bathtub.
3. Before you start plunging, you also want to make sure that your plunger has some water in it. If your plunger is filled with air, it won’t be very effective.
4. Then, go ahead and plunge!

If it’s a shallow clog, it may come clear right away. If, however, it’s deep in your plumbing or pipes, you may have to call a local expert plumber to help.

Clogged Drain Home Remedy #2: Use a Drain Snake

Your standard plunger isn’t the only item that can serve as a useful clogged drain home remedy. Be warned, though, you may have to run out and buy this special piece of equipment once a clog has revealed itself. It’s called a drain snake, and it’s almost always available at any hardware store that’s worth its salt. I’ve also seen it from time to time at WalMart or Target.

The reason that it’s called a drain snake is because it’s a long and narrow piece of plastic shaped to look kind of like a snake. If you have an especially nasty clog you can’t get out, the snake can sometimes get into a tight spot and dislodge it. Just use it according to the directions on the package. Be careful, though, when you pull it out. It can sometimes dislodge some pretty nasty stuff that you won’t want to get on you or your clothes.

Clogged Drain Home Remedy #3: Call a Professional Plumber

It’s important to remember that the recommendations above are for shallower clogs, but sometimes your drains won’t work because of a clog in the main sewer line.

Here are three easy ways to spot a more severe clog that a plumber will need to take care of for you:

1. Water backups into drains
2. Multiple clogged drains throughout your home
3. Standing sewage at your sewer cleanout

Any or all of these could be a sign of big trouble brewing in your pipes. If you happen to spot even one of them, it’s my strong recommendation that you reach out and call a professional plumber right away. There’s no use trying either of the clogged drain home remedy ideas above—they just won’t work.

Luckily, I know just the guys to call. Here at Bell Brothers, we’ve been helping homeowners like you in the Sacramento area with severe clogs for years, whether it be in your house’s pipes or deep in the main sewer line. We have the tools and experience you need to make sure the job gets done right.

And while we might have more than one job here—we also do HVAC, ducts, and window installations—we’re pretty darn great at all of the many jobs we do. So, try the plunger and the snake first, but if that doesn’t work for you, don’t hesitate to give us folks here at Bell Brothers a call.

Get in touch with the plumbing professionals at Bell Brothers to learn more about your home’s plumbing and sewer health. We’ll offer recommendations for maintenance and upgrades that are sure to increase your water efficiency—and decrease your water bills.

Wondering how to finance a new HVAC system, windows, or plumbing project? HERO is a unique financing option that helps California homeowners afford energy efficient upgrades to their home. Contact Bell Brothers, a HERO-approved contractor, to learn more. Our local HVAC, plumbing, and window specialists will walk you through the entire process, from applications to installation.

Image courtesy AndreyPopov