Do you have a clogged drain to deal with? Most home clogs involve sink, bath tub, or shower drains, or plugged toilets. Here are some steps to take before you call the plumber. None of these fixes involve chemicals, for your safety.
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Carefully investigate the problem, to determine if it is a local or a system-wide issue. Sometimes there are problems with vent systems, of with drain fields, or with pipes leading away from the home. You may need to have those looked into by a qualified contractor.
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In the case of a clogged drain, you might start by investigating the strainer or other drain cover. Solid material, like hair or kitchen waste, may cause a slow drain or clog here. Remove the material and see if that frees up the drain. If that doesn’t work, give the plunger a try. A sink plunger has a flat surface, not the collar type. The collared plunger is for the toilet. Start your plunging effort rather gently, in order to avoid creating a bigger problem than you started out with. If it doesn’t let go, you can speed up your plunging action.
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If the problem isn’t at the strainer and doesn’t give way to a plunging effort, look into the trap. The p-trap is located under the sink, a section of pipe in a U shape. It is there to trap gases that might get back into your home from the drain system. If you are up to the task, you can remove it and see if there is a clog that you can deal with there.
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If the problem is beyond the trap, you can try a drain auger. These tools can be purchased at home supply stores and are not difficult to use. Feed the auger into the pipe and twist, using the handle, or an electric drill if that is the type auger you have.
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If the toilet is what’s giving the trouble, you’ll probably want to start out with a plunger. Remember, the sink plunger and the toilet plunger are different. The sink plunger has a flat contact surface, while the toilet plunger has a collar end. As before, start gently, to keep from causing a splatter, and then try a stronger effort.
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After trying the plunger, reach for the snake. The snake or auger for toilet use has a cover or some other system for protecting the porcelain. A regular drain auger might scratch the porcelain and do permanent damage. Most clogs are close, within the reach of an auger, so likely that will get you out of a jam.
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In the case that these home remedies don’t solve the problem, the block may be beyond your reach. Consider calling in a qualified plumbing contractor to deal with that clogged drain.