How to Clear a Clogged Drain with Standing Water
How to Clear a Clogged Drain with Standing Water
If you notice water remaining in your sink, shower, or bathtub, it indicates that your drain is blocked and can cause so much trouble. Standing water is frustrating and can invite insects and bacteria, making your bathroom or kitchen messy and unpleasant. But don't worry! Clogs can often be dealt with using just a few simple techniques and instruments from your home. Well, here are some very simple and friendly ways to clear that stubborn clog and get water draining as it should again.
Using a Plunger to Clear the Drain
A plunger should always be seen as one of the best tools for clearing clogs since it is very effective in creating suction that will help dislodge whatever caused the clog in the first place. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Remove Visible Debris
Begin with the experiment with a pair of rubber gloves on. Open the drain, and if possible, remove all clumps of hair, soap scum or dirt that you see. Often this is sufficient to take care of the issue and reopen the water supply in your house.
Step 2: Scoop Out the Standing Water
You should use a bucket or cup to scoop out as much standing water as possible. The water poured into another working drain or outside. This enables you to view the area in which you are working and ensures that the plunger efficiency is effective.
Step 3: Block the Overflow Drain
If your sink or tub drain has an overflow hole—there is usually one near the top edge—stuff it with a rag. Closing the overflow hole allows the plunger to generate more vacuum, which will improve the prospects of clearing the obstruction.
Step 4: Start Plunging
Screw the cap of the plunger onto the end of the stick through a hole where the rubber part of the plunger should fit to seal the drain tightly. Pull down and push up on the handle several times over. You will hear some sort of rebellion, a sign that the plunger is exerting some pressure to unclog the blockage. Even continue removing all the way down to that point at which the water begins to flow–this is a sign of a clearing clog.
Step 5: Flush with Hot Water
Once the clog has been cleared, let hot water run in the drain for about 5-10 minutes to clear the debris remaining in the pipe. Water prevents the accumulation of other grease and soap scum, which could build up again, but this time you wouldn't see it.
Cleaning the Drain with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda mixed with vinegar creates a nice frothing action that can effectively remove the blockage in the drain. This method is good if you don't want to use strong chemicals to clean your kitchen drain.
Step 1: Remove Visible Blockages
Again, wear gloves and, if possible, remove any debris that may be seen within the drains. This clears the way for the baking soda and vinegar to attack the inner plugged-up areas of the drain severely.
Step 2: Empty Any Standing Water
The first step to drying out the sink or tub is to get rid of as much water as possible using a bucket. This will bring some sort of exposure to the baking soda and vinegar to touch the clog right on.
Step 3: Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda should be recommended in a quantity of 1 cup, while vinegar should also be taken in a similar quantity of 1 cup. Vinegar is a sour product, and when mixed with baking soda, it produces a fizz that can help dissolve organic matter.
Step 4: Use Baking Soda to the Drain
To start, drop half a cup of baking soda down the drain. If the drain opening is small enough, you may also need to use a spoon or a stick to compact it.
Step 5: Pour vinegar and cover the drain.
First, slowly add half a cup of vinegar. Don't worry when you notice it emitting a fizzing sound; that simply means that the reaction has started. Place a rag or a plug over the drain to ensure the fizz remains inside the pipe and is focused on the obstruction.
Step 6: Do the Same with the Remaining Baking Soda and Vinegar
You will know this is done when all the fizzing has ceased. Pour in the rest of the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Pour the mixture over the drain area, then cover it again, allowing it to set for about half an hour. This creates an opportunity for the reaction to dissolve or ease the clog, as the plumber will be pulling to remove the clog.
Step 7: Flush with Boiling Water
Slowly let hot water flow down the drain. The hot water will help to rinse out the dissolved clog and any particles that might remain. This is to ensure that the pipe is cleared, or as we prefer to say, de-blocked or un-blocked with any residue left behind.
Using Salt and Baking Soda for Stubborn Clogs
You could use half a cup of Salt and one cup of Baking Soda for a very stubborn clog.
- Mix the Ingredients: Mix half a cup of salt with half a cup of baking soda.
- Pour It Down the Drain: Add the mixture to the blocked drain and pour it down until it reaches the blocked drain area.
- Let It Sit Overnight: Let the salt and baking soda in the drain work over the clog for as long as you can, preferably overnight.
- Flush with Boiling Water: In the morning, let the water heat and pour it down the sink drain. The water will wash the mixture and the waste material that it has pulled out.
How to Unclog Different Types of Drains With Standing Water
Each drain in your home may require a slightly different approach. Here are some additional tips depending on the type of drain you're dealing with:
Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water
If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, turn it on to see if it clears the clog. Sometimes, food particles get stuck in the disposal, causing a blockage. If the disposal hums but doesn't spin, turn it off and unplug it, then use tongs to clear any debris. Once cleared, try running cold water and turning the disposal back on to see if the clog is resolved.
Unclog a Shower Drain with Standing Water
Hair and soap buildup are the most common causes of clogs in showers and tubs. After removing the drain cover, use a drain snake or wire hanger to hook and pull out as much hair and dirt as possible. If this doesn't completely clear the clog, repeat the baking soda and vinegar method, then flush with hot water to dissolve any remaining soap scum.
Unclog a Double Kitchen Sink with Standing Water
If you have a double sink and both sides are clogged, block one side with a wet cloth while plunging the other. This setup helps create a more powerful suction to clear the blockage. If plunging doesn’t work, try cleaning out the P-trap—the U-shaped pipe under the sink—by placing a bucket underneath, unscrewing it, and emptying out any debris inside.
Unclog a Floor Drain with Standing Water
Floor drains in garages or basements often get clogged with dirt and debris. Insert a drain snake to break up any blockages. For added cleaning, pour hot water mixed with a few drops of dish soap down the drain; the soap will help dissolve grease, and the hot water will flush out any loosened debris.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
If you've tried these methods and still have standing water, it might be time to call a professional plumber. Some clogs are too deep or complex for DIY methods to fix. A plumber has specialized tools, like a hydro jet, to break up and clear even the toughest blockages. They can also inspect the pipes for damage, ensuring you won't face frequent clogs in the future.
Final Thoughts
A clogged drain with standing water doesn't have to ruin your day! With simple tools like a plunger or using natural items like baking soda and vinegar, you can often clear the clog yourself. But if these DIY steps don't work, a professional plumber can do it.
With these easy steps, your drains will run smoothly again in no time!