Baking Soda, White Vinegar, Boiling Water

  1. Pour a pot of boiling water into the clogged drain.
  2. Pour in ½ cup of baking soda
  3. Pour in ½ cup of vinegar
  4. Cover the drain with a stopper to force the pressure of the reaction down the pipe at the clog
  5. Wait at least 10 minutes
  6. Pour in a pot of boiling water
  7. If the drain is not yet fully cleared try again or call the professionals at GSM

Liquid Drain Cleaner

  1. Pick up some drain cleaner from an area store
  2. Pour drain cleaner into the clogged or slow-running drain (amount of drain cleaner used with vary)
  3. Wait at least 15 minutes or more depending on clog severity
  4. Run hot water down the drain repeatedly
  5. If the drain is not fully clear go through the steps again or call the professionals at GSM

Note: Never use liquid drain cleaner on toilet clogs. Be sure to follow all directions on the drain cleaner you have selected as they may differ from those listed above.

Drain Snake

  1. Push the end of the drain snake into the drain opening
  2. Continuing pushing the snake into the pipe until resistance is felt
  3.  Rotate the snake against the clog until you feel the clog give way and the snake feed further into the pipe
  4. Pull the snake out of the drain
  5. Run water down the drain for a few minutes
  6.  If the clog remains, repeat the above steps or contact GSM

Plunger

  1. Place the plunger into the water and over the drain, ensure that it makes a tight seal
  2. Begin with gentle pushing and pulling motions
  3. Increase the plunging motion in force and speed to put more pressure on the clog
  4. Plunge as many times as necessary, may be 15 to 20 times
  5. Run water down the drain
  6. If the clog is still there repeat the above steps or contact GSM

Use the Correct Plunger for Your Drain

It is important to choose the correct type of plunger for the fixture you are trying to unclog

 

Common Sink Plunger/Cup Plunger

Common Plunger

Uses: bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, tubs or anything with a flat surface

This is what commonly comes to mind when you imagine a plunger, a handle, usually wooden, with a rubber cup on the end. These plungers require a flat surface to work properly. Therefore, they are significantly less effective on toilets and curves sinks.

Toilet Plunger/Flange Plunger

Toilet Flange Plunger

Uses: toilets, sinks and tubs

This type of plunger has a cup similar to that of a common sink plunger but has an extension that enables it to create the necessary seal around curved drain openings, especially toilets.

Dish Soap & Hot Water

  1. Pour in ½ cup of dish soap
  2. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes to allow the soap to lubricate the pipe and breakdown the clog
  3. Add hot water (not boiling, especially for toilets as it could crack the porcelain). Amount of water will vary depending on the drain. Pour from a slight height so the water has some force when hitting the clog.
  4. Run water to clear any remains debris