How to Deal with Plumbing Clogs in Your Home

Every Houston and Cypress homeowner knows that plumbing clogs and clogged drains are unavoidable and usually pop up at the most inconvenient moments. Chemical solutions are a common go-to for people trying to unclog a toiler or sink, but even when this works, it is normally not the best long-term solution. In fact, chemicals can be outright dangerous for your plumbing.

Steps to take when dealing with plumbing clogs and clogged drains

Clogs can happen for many different reasons. Clogs can be extremely stressful especially when they are taking place in your own home. However, the great part about these types of issues is that its quite common and can be easily resolved with an expert by your side. If in fact you have a clog in your home, then you may want to consider following the steps below. If you are not confident in doing it alone and would prefer to hire a professional plumber, then contact us today if you are in the Houston, Katy, Cypress, and Tomball areas.

When facing clogged drains, it’s always best to try a natural approach first. Here are simple yet effective ways to clear plumbing clogs.

1. Boil water

When tackling that drain clog in a sink, try a DIY home remedy first. Heat up about 1 quart of water until it comes to a rolling boil.

2. Baking Soda

Next take one cup of baking soda and drop it in the water.

3. Pour Solution down the clogged drain

Carefully pour this solution down the clogged drain, then wait several minutes. If the clog isn’t too serious, this quick fix works like a charm. However, in the event this home remedy doesn’t unclog the drain, you have a couple more options to explore prior to doling out chemicals or tracking down the closest plumbing service.

The Most Common Reasons for Toilet Clogs

In cases where toilets aren’t flushing properly, the number one culprit is usually a clog. The most common reason behind toilet clogs is too much toilet paper or tissue being flushed at a time. Households with small kids should consider the possibility that a toy or something else mischievous was flushed down the toilet.

Plumbing clogs occur in a variety of equally annoying ways. When water in the bowl moves at a slow rate yet still does actually go down, this indicates a partial clog. In contrast, full clogs are the problem when toilet paper or waste will not flush down at all.

Whichever type of clog you’re dealing with, don’t give into the temptation to try clearing it by repeatedly flushing, as this will only make the problem worse. Stop attempting to flush the toilet until it’s apparent the blockage has been removed.

How to unclog a toilet

1. Get some towels

Clearing toilet clogs may require having old towels or rags handy to soak up any overflowing water.

2. Grab an empty cup

If your floor is tile, keep a mop nearby. If the clogged toilet is near a properly draining bathtub, use an old cup to scoop out excess water and dump it into the tub. If there isn’t a bathtub, use a bucket instead. However, always leave a few inches of water in the toilet bowl.

3. Toilet plunger

Then use a plunger to undo the clog. Repeat the plunging as many times as necessary for the pressure to break through and clear the water.

How to Use an Auger to Unclog a Toilet Drain

In the event that plunging doesn’t take care of the clog, you’ll need a drain cleaning tool called a toilet auger (also referred to as a closet auger or snake ). Augers are fairly inexpensive—often under ten bucks—and can be found at your local hardware store.

The auger is a lengthy metal tool which can flexibly “snake” down into the opening at the bottom of the toilet bowl, making its way into the pipe. When you turn the auger’s handle clockwise, the tip will eventually hit the obstruction. As you continue to turn the closet auger and then pull it back out, this can clear the blockage.

If you’re the DIY type, the best all-around tools for unclogging toilets are plungers and augers—you only need one of each. If neither of these tools is able to solve the problem, call a professional plumber to identify what’s wrong. On top of experience, plumbers have high-tech commercial equipment able to unclog all kinds of drains, including bathtubs and sinks in addition to toilets. Make sure to contact Joe the Plumber for more information. We are here to take care of your plumbing needs. For more plumbing clog tips and related content, be sure to check out the blog. 281-306-5140.

For assistance with water usage or any other plumbing-related issues, contact Joe the Plumber in Cypress.