How to Clear a Floor Drain Clog Before Calling the Drain Service.
Floor drains are an essential part of many home designs. Basements often require a floor drain to prevent regular flooding and some garages and home shops also feature floor drains. The floor drain makes sure that all water, cleaning solutions, and other liquids that hit the floor are quickly taken out of the room and out of the house. Floor drains also often pick up the drain path from other drains in your home like the sinks and tubs so if you're experiencing a clog, it could come from anywhere. But good care of your floor drain is the best way to avoid clogs by keeping your floor drain in good shape.
When you do experience a floor drain clog, your best bet is to catch it early when water flow starts to slow down and you notice that signature swirl. The sooner you address your clog, the more likely you can solve the problem without needing to call for drain cleaning. Let's go down the line of things you can try to solve a floor drain clog before you make that critical call.
RUN A GALLON OF WATER DOWN THE DRAIN
It's a smart idea to run water down your floor drains regularly to keep the odor traps full. The odor traps prevent sewage fumes from coming back up through the home. Running a great deal of water down the drain can also sometimes create enough pressure to push a clog through or break it up as the water flows past. Start by pouring an entire gallon of water down your drain all at once. The goal is to create fast-flowing water pressure that will take care of the clog on its own.
PLUNGE FIRMLY
If the clog refuses to break up with your gallon of water, grab your plunger. It is possible to form a seal around your drain with a standard or small-sized plunger, especially if you can capture water that is not draining. Once you lock in your seal, give it a few strong and direct plunges. This time, your goal is to push air through so firmly that the clog is forced to break up. It may require some practice to create a seal and effectively plunge your floor drain, this is a skill that will be developed with experience.
TRY HOT WATER AND VINEGAR
Clogs can be caused by a number of substances that congeal in the drain and become water-resistant when clustered together. From grease to scale from hard water, if you can dissolve whatever is in your drain, you can clear the clog. Boiling water is a standard method to clear a drain and it can work with your floor drain as well. We advise you to stand on a stool or chair to make sure you do not burn your feet if/when the hot water backs up onto the floor. The hot water can melt grease and other cold-congealed substances.
Other things can be broken up with the acidic effect of white vinegar. Pouring vinegar down your drain can help to dissolve a different set of congealed or built-up clogs. Many people also swear by combining vinegar and baking soda, as the fizzing expands the solution and can sometimes push through and clean whatever is causing the clog. To do this, pour the baking soda down the drain first and then add a few cups of vinegar to see what happens.
CLEAN WITH A LONG BOTTLE BRUSH
Your last possible home remedy for a clogged floor drain is a bottle brush. Bottle brushes are long, flexible, and can break up a clog if the clog is close enough to break up. If you have a long bottle brush, clean your drain thoroughly and try it as far into the drain as it will go.
If all of the previous methods show no success, it's time to call a drain cleaning service to find the clog no matter how deeply it is hidden. For more information or to schedule your drain clog service, contact us today!
- A R Engh Team