Water not draining in your shower or sink as fast as it normally does? There is more than likely something causing an obstruction or clog. The most common culprit? Hair! Even with a drain stopper, almost everyone deals with a hair clog in their sink, bathtub or shower at one point or another. Thankfully, hair clogs are common and can usually be fixed with things you already have at home. Here are 5 effective ways to remove hair from your drains:
Vacuum
Although this method is the least effective, if the clog isn’t too far down the drain there is a possibility that you can suck it out with a vacuum. For the best outcome, make sure the drain is as dry as possible and not covered. Use a nozzle attachment and and plug the top of the drain the best you can and use the highest suction setting on your vacuum. Because the clog may be further down the drain, you may need to follow up with another method to ensure you get all the remnants.
Boiling Water
Hair typically catches on grease and soap buildup coat the inside of your pipe and accumulates over time, which causes the hair clog. Removing that buildup can be as easy as pouring boiling water down the drain! It is as simple as it sounds— just boil water in a pot on the stove and carefully pour it down the drain. To avoid an accidental burn or spillage you can use a funnel to direct the flow of the water. The boiling hot water can break down the buildup of grease and soap in your pipe and allows the hair to flush down the drain.
Baking Soda and Vinegar (and more boiling water)
If boiling water alone isn’t doing the trick, try adding this ecologically friendly solution to the mix! Using baking soda and vinegar can be just as effective as chemical drain cleaners (and better for the environment). Begin by pouring about a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar.
This mixture causes an acidic chemical reaction that can break down buildup and release hair clogs. After allowing the chemical reaction to work it’s magic, pour boiling water down the drain to further help break down the buildup that is clogging your drain. You can repeat these steps as needed. Using this method won’t cause damage to your plumbing like some chemical cleaners can.
Snaking Device or Wire Hanger
Sometimes the simplest method is the most effective: just grab the blockage and pull it out. There are many options when it comes to plumber’s snakes and almost any of them will do the trick. If you don’t have a snaking device already, modifying a simple wire hanger will also do the trick. To DIY this method just reshape the hanger to allow you to grab onto the blockage. Using this method can effectively break up what is causing a clogged drain. For the best results, follow up by running hot water down the drain.
Call ASAP Appliance and Plumbing
Keep in mind that most liquid drain cleaners that you can buy at the store are often ineffective and contain toxic chemicals that will deteriorate your plumbing or septic system. If none of these DIY methods work to unclog your drain, avoid a plumbing disaster by leaving the issue to the professionals at ASAP Appliance and Plumbing. Our experts have the tools and technology to thoroughly fix the problem and more effectively remove buildup of hair, soap, grease and other hard-to-remove objects.