Clogs are pipe blockages that are caused by an accumulation of debris that comes from reduced food particles, grease or coffee grounds in kitchen sinks or soap scum, hair strands and toothpaste in drains. This causes water to back up and causes a foul smell. Clogs may appear on a random day, but they are the result of layers of debris accumulation in the pipe, which leads to a plumbing problem any day or any time. There are some small fixes you can do to fix the clog before calling the plumbers in Langley, and this article provides a guide on how you can fix it. 

Pour hot water or dish soap.

This strategy is most effective for grease-based clogs.  The hot liquid grease may not block the plumbing line, but as it cools, it solidifies and sticks to the pipeline walls.  As the sticky grease accumulates, it becomes a trap for a lot of debris in the pipe, causing the pipe to become narrow and eventually causing a blockage. Here is how you can use hot water or dish soap.

• Pour hot tap water, though it should not be boiling, down the drain to loosen the soap scum. In case of kitchen grease, squirt grease soap into the drain, fill the sink basin with hot water, leave it for around 15 minutes, and release the stopper. 

Try baking soda or vinegar. 

Baking soda and vinegar are another effective method for clearing minor clogs. They create a chemical reaction of carbon dioxide gas and water, which causes physical bubbling and fizzing that loosens the particles that caused the clogging, and the hot water lifts the melting grease and the loosened gunk down the drain. Here is how the process is done;

• You should pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain 

• Then a cup of white vinegar follows 

• The drain should be covered with a plug or a cloth for around 15 minutes 

• Then flush the drain with hot water 

Clean the P-trap 

The P-trap is the curved section of the pipe underneath the sink, and it is the part that catches heavy debris, which keeps the pipe from clogging. Over time, as the debris accumulates, it may narrow the passage, which causes low pressure and can result in a clog. Here is how you can clean the P-trap;

• Ensure you place a bucket right under the P-trap to capture the water. 

• Start to unscrew the slip nuts. You can do it with your hands or with channel-lock pliers if they are metal. 

• Clean the P-trap to clear out all the accumulated residues

• Reattach the P-trap and tighten the nuts. Run the water to check if the passage is clear and to check for leaks. 

Use the plunger 

A plunger is effective when standing water starts to drain slowly or stops draining. The plunger's function causes alternating force, pressure and suction to break debris and clear blockages. Here is how you can use a plunger;

• Ensure you place a bucket of water under the sink 

• Ensure you seal the overflow hole with a tight, wet rag 

• Place the plunger flat over the drain, push down slowly, then pull it up. Repeat this action for around 15 to 20 times. 

Why you need a plumber

Constant standing water: Get in touch with the plumber when the DIY methods are not effective. 

Sewage odours: The drainage starts to smell like rotten eggs or gas, which indicates trapped waste. 

Multiple blockages: When you experience different blockages like the sink, toilet or the shower all at the same time. 

Conclusion

These simple DIY fixes are mostly for fixing minor clogs in the house when you need to fix them as fast as possible.  Baking soda, vinegar and a plunger should always be the simple essentials to have in the house in case clogs occur and you need a quick fix. If it's a chronic clog, which means it's persistent, it's causing a foul smell, and the problem keeps getting worse, then you would have to call the best plumbers in Delta to offer their expert services and find the root cause of the problem.