Tips to Clear Your Clogged Drain

If you have a clogged drain and it smells like sewage, you know it’s a problem. It is important to take care of this issue quickly, because not only is the smell unpleasant, but the cause of the clog could be damaging to your plumbing system. Also, if you are smelling sewer, then there is a chance you’re inhaling dangerous gas. The good news is that it can be relatively simple to clear your drain with natural solutions. For a more stubborn clog, call our team at JG Graybill for help! Here are some tips on how to eliminate a smelly stopped-up drain in your home. 

Determine the Cause of Clogged Drain

The first step in eliminating a smelly clogged drain is determining what is causing the clog. There are several possibilities, including food particles, hair, or dropped items that have been rinsed down the drain. It could also be caused by an obstruction further down in your plumbing system. If you can identify the source of the clog, you will be able to address it more effectively. A flashlight can help you see better, but you can still only see so far from the drain’s opening. 

Remove Objects from Your Drain 

If you are able to locate objects lodged in your drain, you can try to remove them yourself before calling a plumber. You can use tongs or rubber gloves to reach into the drain and pull out any debris that may be stuck there. Be sure to do this carefully so as not to damage your pipes, or drop more items in there.  For a sink clog that is unreachable, you may need to remove the P-Trap (or S-Trap). If you’re comfortable removing the P-Trap, grab a bucket and the wrenches you need, and have at it! If you don’t already know how to do this, we recommend hiring a professional. 

Use Natural Solutions 

If you don’t feel comfortable reaching into your drain yourself, there are natural solutions you can use to attempt to clear out your pipes without resorting to harsh chemicals. Boiling water poured down the drain can help break up a clog caused by grease or soap buildup, while baking soda and vinegar can help dissolve blockages further down in the pipes. The combination of these two ingredients also helps eliminate odors from drains that have been backed up for too long. 

Other Potential Issues That Cause Sewer Smell

If you clear your drain and still have issues with smelling sewer gas, then there may be a bigger issue to deal with. You want to address this right away as ignoring it can be hazardous to your home and health. A dirty garbage disposal, clogged vent, unused drain, or your sewer gas trap may all be suspects. Besides the annoyance of a slow and backed up sink drain, you may experience your bath or shower drain producing water or sewage as well. Call a professional immediately if this happens. 

Need Help Clearing Your Drain?

If none of these methods work for you, then it may be time to call a professional plumber for help with clearing out your stopped-up drains. We have access to more powerful tools and techniques that will get rid of stubborn blockages and restore normal flow through your pipes quickly and efficiently without damaging your plumbing system further. 

A smelly clogged drain is not only unpleasant, it’s also potentially damaging if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are steps you can take yourself to try to eliminate this odorous issue before having to call in an expert plumber for assistance. By determining what’s causing the clog and using natural solutions like boiling water or baking soda and vinegar, you should be able to clear out minor blockages without any permanent damage done. If that doesn’t work, give us a call and we’ll clear it up no problem!