Identify what's causing the clog

There are different ways of dealing with different types of clogged drains. The most common reason that a lavatory, tub or shower drain becomes clogged is because there is hair in the drain. This is particularly true for shower drains but may occur in sink drains as well. A drain stick with barbs on the side can be run into the drain to collect the hair. This same solution won't work if you've got something, such as candle wax, that's adhered to the sides of your drains. Knowing what solution to use requires that you know whatís causing the clog.

Stock up on a few simple tools

You can't do a job correctly if you don't have the right tools to do it. And you don't want to wait until you have a clogged drain to go out and buy what you need. The aforementioned drain stick with barbs should be a common household item. A small wet/dry vacuum is also a good item to have in the kitchen closet. And of course, every bathroom should have a toilet and sink plunger. Our technicians provide a FREE sink plunger on every service call as our way of saying thanks for your business.

Start with natural solutions

Instead of pouring the harsh chemicals like Drano down your drains, try out a solution that's based in natural ingredients. A strong vinegar-and-lemon solution might do the trick if you just have some build-up that's caking the sides of your drain.

Take it apart and use some elbow grease

If you're handy in the home repair department, you can take apart the pipes of your drain and clean them out. A toothbrush and scrubbing pad should do the trick. Just make sure that you know what you're doing before you start dismantling your plumbing. You don't want to get the whole thing taken apart and make it shiny brand new if you don't know how to put it back together again!

Prevention

The best thing that you can do to clean your drains properly is to prevent them from getting clogged in the first place. Use a strainer to catch hair so that it doesn't get caught in the drain. Run a natural solution down the drain on a biweekly basis. Prevent problems before they occur. At the other end of the spectrum, don't assume that you can take care of everything yourself. If you've dug out the hair, run the solution and dislodged gunk with the wet/dry vacuum and you still have a clogged drain, you need to call a plumber. You don't want to do damage to the pipes that make your home run smoothly!