Have a Clogged Floor Drain?
Floor drains are a common household feature in basements, mudrooms, utility and laundry rooms. While they often go unnoticed, these plumbing features work hard to prevent flooding or slippery floors. Unless they are clogged, that is.
If you have a clogged floor drain problem on your hands, don't automatically reach for the phone to call a plumber near you. By following the DIY tips listed below, you may be able to address the problem on your own! If the clogged floor drain is too stubborn for you to handle, however, the Any Hour Services team is happy to help.
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DIY Tips for Unclogging Your Floor Drain
Check the Drain Strainer
Floor drains are covered with a mesh or metal strainer to prevent hair, dirt and other debris from clogging the pipe. A slow draining floor drain could be blocked by a mess of debris, so this is always the first place you should check. If you see a messy glob of hair and other debris sitting on top of the strainer, just pull it away (we recommend gloves!). Sometimes debris gets caught under the strainer, so you will need to carefully remove it. You don't want the screws to fall down the strain, so be cautious while you unscrew the strainer. Once you have removed the strainer, lift up any gunk you see sitting in the drain and then replace it.
Drain Snake or Wire Hanger
If no visible gunk or debris is clogging the strainer, the blockage may be further down the drain. A manual drain snake or auger often works perfectly in this case. Feed the snake into the length of the pipe until you feel resistance. Spin the cable around and push it into the blockage to break it up. Once you have broken through, pull the snake out and wipe it down, repeating a few times as necessary. If you don't have a drain snake, you can make one from a wire hanger.
Plunger
If the clog is too deep for a snake or wire hanger to reach, you'll need a plunger. Place the plunger over the drain and quickly pump it up and down to create a suction force. You may have to do this about 10 to 15 times and you should feel less resistance as you go. Once you have dislodged the blockage, pour some water down the drain to check if it is flowing properly again.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
None of the above tips working? The floor drain pipe may be coated in grime and built-up dirt, which slows down water flow. A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that can break up gunk inside pipes. First, unscrew the drain strainer if you haven't already. Then add half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar to the drain and let the mixture sit for about ten minutes. Pour boiling water down the drain to flush away the mixture and any dissolved drain gunk. Your drain should flow normally now (and probably smell much nicer!).
Call a Professional
Nothing above working? It's time to call on the Any Hour Services Utah plumbing company. Our drain experts have all the tools and techniques needed to unclog any drain. Your floor drain is an important plumbing feature that keeps your home safe, so it's important to fix any clogs as soon as they arise. Don't waste your time in frustration if you can't unclog the drain because Any Hour can!
Any Hour Services is the plumber near you that you can count on thanks to our fair pricing, trustworthy technicians and friendly customer service. Contact us today to request an appointment for your clogged floor drain.
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We'll never rush you into a decision, but will take the time to help you understand your clogged floor drain or other drain problems. There's no such thing as too many questions. We know you have lots of choices as far as Utah Plumbing companies. We want to help and hope you will give us an opportunity to prove the things listed above are not just a list on a website but the way we strive to do business.
If you still have questions or would like to schedule your drain cleaning service, give us a call and let us know how we can help.