Dealing with Clogged Drains

It has happened to everyone. First, the water starts to drain slower than it should, and then you start to notice an unpleasant odor lingering in your kitchen or bathroom. A clogged drain is one of the most unpleasant plumbing issues to have on hand. Luckily there are a few simple tricks to unclogging your drain and keeping it draining smoothly.

• Invest in a hair trap and avoid the problem
  If there are people in your house with long hair then you should definitely invest in a hair trap for your tub or shower. This simple piece of perforated rubber can save you the headache and cost of unclogging a drain. Simply place the hair trap over the open drain before using your shower or tub, and then remove and throw away any hair that has collected on the trap when you are done.
• Use some liquid plumber
  You can use some liquid plumber, like Drano, to unclog drains. However, make sure you know what sort of pipes you have in your plumbing system before you use any liquid plumbing chemicals. If you have plastic pipes in your system the harsh chemicals in liquid plumber could corrode them with repeated use, creating a burst pipe and an even bigger headache. If you are ever unsure about using a plumbing product you should consult with your plumber first. And never use liquid plumber on a clogged toilet: The harsh chemicals will erode the porcelain and cause the toilet bowl to crack.
• Use a bent coat hanger
  A simple enough solution: untwist a wire coat hanger and use the hook portion to fish out any hair and gunk that has collected down the drain. However, this is only good for minor clogs, and may not be effective enough to unclog a completely blocked drain. However, this can at least get rid of some of the blockage, helping to reduce the chance that your drain will overflow. If you notice that your drain is still not draining as fast as it should it is time to call in a professional plumber to take a closer look at the problem and come up with a solution.

For serious clogs always call a professional like Lone Star Plumbing and Heating. Lone Star offers 24 hour emergency services, so they are always there when you need them the most. Call 403.295.3028 and visit lonestarplumbing.ca today!