Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

If you find that the water in the bathtub or sink drains very slowly, your pipes may be clogged. Fortunately, if caught early, you can self-clear your pipes with substances that are readily available in your home. Vinegar, baking powder, borax, and hot water are simple but effective substances to clear clogged pipes.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Prepare the Drainage Mix

1. 

   Drain the water from the sink or tub. If the water is flowing too slowly, this may take a while. However, if you drain the water completely, the plumbing mixture will work faster and more effectively.

2. 

   
   
   Get detergents, kitchen substances. You have many options for making your homemade drain and creating a chemical reaction when combined. Check that you have the following drain openers:
   • Vinegar (white vinegar or apple cider vinegar) is the basic acid solution that causes the foaming reaction.
   • Lemon juice is acidic like vinegar but has a cooler aroma. Lemon juice is a great way to unclog a kitchen sink.
   • Baking soda is often used as a versatile detergent.
   • The salt will help corrode the clogs in the pipe.
   • Borax is often used as a versatile detergent.

3. 

   
   
   Pour vinegar and drain drains down the pipes. It is not necessary to mix ingredients before pouring. The mixture will foam by itself and a chemical reaction will occur.
   • For baking soda and vinegar mix: use 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup white vinegar.
   • For a lemonade and baking soda mixture: use 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup lemon juice.
   • For a salt, borax and vinegar mixture: use 1/4 cup borax, 1/4 cup salt and 1/2 cup vinegar.
   advertisement

Method 2 of 3: Impact on occlusion point

1. 

   
   
   Cover and let the mixture rest. You can use a hose stopper or a cloth with hot steam to seal the pipe. Seal the tube for 30 minutes. At this point, the foam will act to erode the clogging point.

2. 

   Clear the pipe. Use a rubber catheter that is small enough to fit the size of the sink to create an impact on the tube blocker. Seal and press the rubber end firmly down the drain hose mouth and push the tool up and down.
   • Catheters work best when you fill a bath or sink with water. The water will increase the pressure and clear the clog.

3. 

   Use a hook to pull the trash out of the clog. If the pipe is clogged with hair, use a metal hook and break it into a long metal wire with a small hook at the end. Carefully thread the hook end of the metal wire down the pipe. Rotate the hook to pull out any trash. When trash has caught in the hook, gently pull out the cord.
   • Take care not to let metals scratch the bathtub or sink. You should also be careful when bending or breaking the hook because the metal is very sharp.

4. 

   Use a wire-line blocker. This is a tool shaped like a long piece of metal rope. You need to pass the tool carefully into the drain. When the string becomes entangled, gently turn the wire so that the trash in the tube gets caught in the wire. As you slowly pull out the cord, the water hose is cleared. Drain the water and repeat the process.
   • You should wear protective gloves as metal tools can be very sharp. You should have an old towel and a small bucket to keep the garbage in the pipe.
   advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Drain the Pipe

1. 

   Drain the pipe with hot water. Boil at least 6 cups of hot water or a couple of full kettles. Open the cap and slowly pour the hot water down the pipe.
   • If your home uses plastic pipes, don't use water that is too hot. Avoid pouring boiling water into the pipes.

2. 

   Repeat the process. If the water still drains slowly, repeat the process until the water is completely drained.
   • If the water still doesn't drain, there is a chance that a lot of hair will get stuck in the pipe. Manual action may be required to clear clogged duct. You should call a plumber, especially if the tube completely stops flowing.

3. 

   Use gravity and pressure to clear pipes. This works best for a tub drain because you can fill the tub with tens of liters of water. Fill the basin with hot water, then open the drain cap and let the water pressure clear the clog. advertisement

Advice

• Check that the water hose is not corroded.
• You should see improvement after trying 2 or 3 times. If there is a lot of hair in the pipe, you will remove all the trash and obstructions inside.
• These methods work best when you resolve the problem before the pipe becomes completely clogged.

Warning

• Concentrated vinegar (acetic acid) and caustic soda can also be used to clear pipes, but these often irritate the skin, irritating the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes and clothing.
• Avoid using these methods if you have dumped the commercial drain clearers down your pipes. Vinegar can combine with chemicals in commercial drain to form dangerous gases.