As the pool of water collects around the drain, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach. You dread another costly visit from the plumber. However, clogged drains, while inconvenient and messy, are usually easy enough to correct on your own. Here are some tips that you can use when trying to solve various types of drain problems.

When faced with a clogged drain, the first thing you need do is to figure out is where the clog is. If only one sink, shower, bath, or toilet in the house is backing up, relax. Your task should be fairly simple since the clog is probably confined to the trap of that fixture. If more than one fixture is clogging up, the blockage will usually be in the main drain line. Unclogging the main drain is a little more difficult but not impossible.

One solution to unclog a drain is to use chemicals. But you should be very careful while handling them as they can be very dangerous. Do read all the instructions before use. It is always advisable to wear rubber gloves for safety.

Also make sure that drain cleaner is safe for your septic system by reading the warnings on the back. Some cleaners contain chemicals that can disrupt the bacterial action of your septic system. After following the directions on the bottle, remember to run plenty of water to flush the chemicals out of your pipes.

Apart from chemicals, one of the most trusted tools for unclogging drains, the plunger, can usually clear the blockage if it’s not too far into the main drain. Follow these tips to make plunging more effective.

Block the overflow holes, other drains in adjacent sinks, or any other openings by stuffing wet rags into the holes. If water is not already present in the basin, run two to three inches of water over the drain hole. The water helps to force the obstruction out of the way and lets you know when you succeed in pushing the clog out.

To make a plunger work in a better way, apply petroleum jelly to it’s rim. This helps in attracting material faster. Move the plunger downwards with force several times. Wait for A minute or two and see if the water flows down smoothly. If not, try for some more time. Once the drain is clear, pour plenty of hot water into it to clean it completely.

You can always use strainers for your kitchen and bathroom sinks to prevent the entry of materials like hair, soap, pins and other insoluble objects. This way you can prevent clogging up of your drains.

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