Hair-clogged drains are one of the most common issues experienced by homeowners in America. Not only is it frustrating to have a sink drain slowly, it can also cost homeowners hundreds or thousands of dollars in possible damages.
When hair goes down the drain, it may not always make it smoothly through the pipes. Another item might catch the hair, creating a clog. Over time, the clog causes problems with your bathroom sink’s P-trap connection or a major plumbing connection inside the walls.
How Does Hair Clog Drains?
Hair may get caught in the pipes due to several issues, including buildup from soap, hair products, and water. Because hair is easier to keep clean than other items, homeowners often deposit it down the drain without a second thought.
However, hair is stringy, hiding in the nooks and crannies of the drain. As more hair builds up in the pipes, more hair gets caught. This process leads to a clog and an ugly solution.
The most common remedy for clogged drains is to purchase a chemical drain cleaner, which you can find at any supermarket. These products can break down the hair clog, but they also damage the pipes if you aren’t careful.
How to Clean Out a Clogged Drain
1. If Possible, Remove the Clog with a Drain Snake
The easiest way to remove hair from a clogged drain is to get a drain snake, also called a drain auger. This tool is a long, tough piece of wire that you attach to the bottom of a sink to break apart the clog.
If you can reach your drain’s P-trap, you can easily get a drain snake through the pipes. This should break up the clog, allowing the hair and other debris to be sucked away.
If the drain snake gets stuck, you can pull it out and try again. At that point, you should take a step back and try a different method of removing the clog. A drain snake is one of the best methods of removing hair from a clogged drain.
2. Use a Chemical Drain Cleaner
Products like Draino are designed to break up hair clogs and other types of buildup. The product is designed to be flushed down the drain, but it may also cause permanent damage to your pipes.
You should only use chemical drain cleaners if you absolutely can’t reach a clog with a drain snake. If you have too many hair clogs, you should consider breaking them apart by hand once a week.
3. Remove Hair and Other Debris with a Plunger
A plunger can remove hair from a clogged drain, but it is a method that does not always work. The best way to use a plunger is to fill the sink with water and try to remove the clog from the top.
If that doesn’t work, you can use the plunger to get the water into the clog. You may have to do this several times before the clog is completely removed.
Remember, even if you get the clog out, there is a chance the toilet will still back up. You should then use a plunger on the toilet. This is because the toilet is directly connected to the clog in your bathroom sink.
Conclusion
Hair clogs are one of the most common issues with sinks, but telling your landlord about the problem will not always solve the issue. In addition, it is not always easy to tell that a clog is even a problem.
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