Grease buildup and food particles as well as chemical concentrations are common causes of residential drain blocks. When severe, these clogs require professional intervention and often repairs which isn’t always possible considering the expense or the plumbing system.

In a favorable scenario, home solutions can help break up the blockage before reaching out to a drain cleaning expert. There are several techniques you can try to mitigate the effects of clogs and return your system to a high performing, efficient water supply.

When the blockage is persistent, it’s vital to reach out to a qualified plumbing company like Doc Thompson Plumbing in Columbus, Ohio. These contractors have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose the underlying cause of the clog and address the issue to avoid further complications.

The plumber will educate and inform you of how to take care of the drain in the future to avoid drain clogs.

Home Remedies to Resolve Drain Blocks Before Contacting Your Plumber

Professional plumbers in Columbus, Ohio, should be contacted when you have persistent drain blockages that won’t budge when using home remedies.

These experts should also perform regular inspections to prevent the potential for clogs and to ensure there are no defects in the system that need to be addressed to keep your plumbing in good condition.

If, however, a minor clog gets past you before the plumber has checked the plumbing, there are things you can do before reaching out for a service call. Consider the following tips.

Hot Water

Many people don’t consider this solution because it’s so straightforward and simple, but a hot water cleanse could be all you need to clear a dirty drain and return the high performance and efficiency. This involves flushing the drainpipes with hot water to dislodge an accumulation of goop and blockage of materials.

The heat, force, and water pressure are a combination that is recommended to run through the system for roughly 15 minutes. It can be enough to clear the drainpipes for optimal function with no out of pocket expenses since you’re merely using the hot water from the tap.

It’s the easiest and can be the most effective at-home solution for fixing a genuinely minor clog. Visit – Drain Cleaning in Columbus, OH – Costs 03 / 2025 – homeyou – to learn how much it costs to clean a drain in Columbus.

Tools Around the House

No specialized tools are required with small or minor clogs; you can use things you already have around the house instead of going out and purchasing specialized equipment or before contact a professional who has appropriate tools and equipment.

The plunger most people have in their bathroom can be a simple solution for poor-performing drains. Specialized sink plungers, on the other hand, are much more effective as they have optimized designs specifically for sink applications.

Whichever is more readily available to you, the technique for clearing the clog is essentially the same. The plunger covers the drain opening and a continuous back and forth steady motion is used for approx. 2 minutes to remove the clog.

You can prevent air from escaping by covering the rim of the plunger with petroleum jelly.

Homemade Liquid Cleaners

If these methods prove impractical or don’t work for your specific situation, you might want to use a homemade solution to break down the clog. Unlike commercial chemical solutions, homemade cleaners won’t damage or deteriorate the pipes after extended use.

These solutions will help to dislodge the buildup affecting the pipes. One common solution is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, ingredients most people have in their pantry. They react when mixed helping to break down blockages in the pipes but have no ill effects on the pipe walls.

The ratio is one cup of each to be poured into the drainpipes and follow it after roughly 5 minutes with boiling water. This technique should remove the blockage for less than commercial chemical solutions and without the hazards. Click here to learn why you should refrain from putting grease in your drains.

Drain Snake

You might now have a drain snake in your toolbox but if you develop a buildup of gunk in your drains, it’s good to get one. Professional plumbers typically start with a drain snake when trying to break up a clog. The local home improvement store in Columbus will have these for a budget-friendly price point.

Some people are intimidated to use the drain snake, believing only professional plumbers have the knowledge and skill set to use them properly. However, more people are starting to use these adequately for drain clearing. The technique is relatively simple and straightforward.

You feed the snake into the drainpipe by turning the handle clockwise until you feel resistance. The snake should be rotated against the clog so it latches onto the materials. You then pull the snake from the drain slowly while the blockage is broken up behind it.