Advices Luxembourg Déboucheur.What there is to know :

In short, everyone has been exposed to a clogged pipe. Since prevention is better than cure, let’s first see how to avoid this situation in a house, in a business or in a factory.

Find out how to unclog a bathtub

Our pipes:

Before unclogging the bathtub: clean the drain grids
Unclog a bathtub ecologically: baking soda
How to unclog a bathtub mechanically?
Unclog a bathtub with soda crystals
Unclog a bathtub: what about chemical unclogs?

Before unclogging the tub: clean the grates

Over time, hair, hair, soap scum and lime build up around the bathtub drain grate. To unclog the bathtub, we start by cleaning this filter, which usually consists of 2 or 3 elements:

The strainer or removable grid: which can be removed freely by pulling upwards.
The valve: which unscrews freely.
The drain or fixed grid: which can be removed from the bathtub by unscrewing it with a screwdriver. Once these elements are removed, all you have to do is tackle the clog made of dirt, hair, hair and soap mixed together… Smiley yuck. Disgust smiley… And oh an earring!

For perfect cleaning, you can take the opportunity to clean the exhaust grilles with a small brush soaked in white vinegar.

Unclog a bathtub with baking soda

A big favorite of green households, baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is very effective in getting rid of drain clogs that clog the bathtub. Unclogging bathtub drains with baking soda couldn’t be simpler.

Heat some water in a saucepan or with a kettle.
Pour a glass of baking soda into the opening of the bathtub (so you have cleaned it beforehand).
Dilute with hot water possibly added with a small glass of white vinegar. * Cover everything tightly.
Leave to act (from 20 minutes to a whole night depending on the size of the blockage). Your plug is normally dissolved.

How to unclog a bathtub mechanically?

Is your bathtub still clogged? Two utensils can help you… provided you arm yourself with a little elbow grease.

First, the suction cup creates pressure on the drain to dislodge the clog. To use this technique, start by plugging the overflow with a damp cloth. Then run a trickle of water into the tub so that the rubber adheres to the sides of the tub. Finally position the suction cup on the orifice and pump firmly on the suction cup using back and forth movements.

The ferret is a plumbing tool that allows you to reach particles and waste stuck a little lower in the pipes. To unclog the tub using a ferret, just introduce it very gently into the drain hole of the tub. And let’s go fishing for hair, dirt and other soap residue! He runs, he runs the ferret in the pipes of the bathtub… Amateurs and amateurs of DIY solutions can replace the ferret with wire twisted at its end (an old coat hanger will do) to make a hook .

Unclog a bathtub with soda crystals

You’ve cleaned the drain grates in the bathtub, left baking soda on overnight and used a plunger, and yet nothing helps: the clog is still there! Is the water struggling to drain into the hole in the tub? Try soda crystals! Jewels of the green household, soda crystals, which are often confused with baking soda, have an even more formidable effect on stubborn blockages in pipes. The use of soda crystals to unclog the bathtub is almost identical to that of baking soda. It is indeed necessary to:

Heat a little water in a saucepan or using a kettle
Pour the soda crystals into the drain of the bathtub
Dilute with hot water
Laisser agir (1 heure ou 24 heures en fonction de l’épaisseur du bouchon).

Unclog your bathtub: what about chemical unclogs?

The major drawback of chemical unblockers is that they use very corrosive products based on caustic soda and other chemical acids. In addition to polluting the waters of rivers, oceans and groundwater, these products prove to be dangerous for health but also for the PVC elements present in the pipes. This is the reason why this solution for unclogging the bathtub is to be used only in the event of an extreme emergency. If your ecological conscience is in danger: prefer the help of a plumber. If you nevertheless decide to use a chemical product to unclog your bathtub, you should carefully read and follow the instructions on the packaging. In terms of handling, it is generally sufficient to empty the indicated dose into the shower drain and leave to act for a few hours to overnight. And this is how

What causes a clogged sink, toilet, bath…?

Without necessarily going into detail, here is a relevant list of at least 5 things to consider:

Fats
Ferrous ocher that crystallizes
Food scraps or small objects (we all know someone who has dropped their ring in the sink!)
Hair
Certain chemicals
etc.

That being said, the first step is to pay close attention to this. The thinner the pipes, the more likely they are to clog easily, also depending on how they are used.

Consequences of a clogged pipe

Several inconveniences are generated instantly or gradually during a clog in your sink, drain, shower, toilet or bath. Here are 3:

Your plumbing may become non-functional. Have you ever had to go to the neighbor to find a working toilet? For many, this alternative is not viable in the long term so it becomes extremely disturbing in your daily life.
A clogged pipe prevents liquid from passing through, which can logically lead to water damage (clean or waste). In these cases, the bill can swell quickly: ruined carpets, warped furniture and walls, cleaning costs, etc.
When a pipe is clogged with rotting items (like food), a foul odor can quickly be released into the building.

Additionally, if it’s the foundation drain that’s clogged, it can also lead to water damage due to seepage through your basement foundation, as well as the appearance of rot or mold, or even possible health problems for you and your loved ones.

Unclogging a foundation pipe in brief

Whether by ferrous ocher (sandy ground) or tree roots that have infiltrated and taken advantage of the point of completely blocking the pipe and fracturing it, the breaks will have to be located as precisely as possible in order to replace the affected portion or repair if the damage is less serious. To unblock foundation drains blocked by roots, plumbers use a device that cuts, shreds and extracts the rootlets of trees (example: Rotor 5000). As for ferrous ocher, it can be dislodged by a jet of water under high pressure.

The time when it was necessary to search randomly to circumscribe the problem of obstruction is over. Today, thanks to different types of specialized cameras, plumbers are well equipped to check the condition of all types of drains and make the necessary correction… including drains that are part of your home’s plumbing system.

Pipe Unclogging Products

Obviously, the goal here is not to make an exhaustive list of grandmother’s solutions. However, now that we have already talked about foundation drains, here are some of the most common products used to unclog the pipes inside your home.

Cleaning fluids:

When the clog is in the trap or in the elbow under the sink (that is, often), the liquid unblocker can be a solution of choice. This dissolves the clogs. There are several kinds:

Destop with soda
Bleach
Les enzymes (généralement utilisés dans les fosses septiques, ils mangent les déchets ; toutefois, ça prend plusieurs heures)
And more…

Also, be sure to follow the manufacturers’ instructions before using them in your drain, toilet, shower, sink or other.

Most of these products are chemical, but some plumbers use products that are less harmful to the environment. Find out from them.

How to unclog a shower or bath drain?

Your bathroom is the room in your home that is most at risk for water damage, because in addition to including a shower, a bath, a sink and a toilet, it also probably includes a bath. and your washing machine.

The risk is increased if it is a bathroom or a simple powder room located in the basement. A sewer backup can then cause wastewater to rise through the toilet drain, the shower drain or the floor drain.

Water damage creates problems with mold and bacteria. You must therefore ensure that the way is clear and that your plumbing system does not need an unclog.

Indeed, over time the clumps of hair, soap scum and grease can clog the drain of your bath, shower, sink, washbasin… and cause your sanitary fixtures to overflow.

The metal clothes hanger

To unclog a shower, bath or sink drain, a metal coat hanger is a particularly effective household tool. If you use plastic clothes hangers instead, you can find metal hangers at a cleaner near you or at one of their dealerships.

Just make the hanger as straight as possible, form a hook with the curved end, slide it into the clogged drain and then remove the hair and other residue.

If you don’t have access to a metal hanger, a hose clamp cut to length can also be used to unclog a clogged drain or a stiff wire at the end of which you have inserted slightly bent metal paperclips .

However, care must be taken not to push the residue deeper that clogs the drain of the bath, the shower… In the event that the plumbing clog is more serious, do not hesitate to contact your plumber. The costs will certainly be lower than calling a residential cleaning and decontamination company.

Pipe cleaners

This tool is made of a metal wire in the shape of a long spring that you have to turn with a crank once it touches the cork in question. It will normally have the effect of undoing it. The drain cleaners are of different sizes, depending on the different types of pipes.

When the plug is out of reach, you must (using an adjustable wrench) open a manhole plug located in the pipes in your floors or walls to insert the drain cleaner or a liquid unblocker again. Without the expertise of a plumber, you could be looking for the clog for a long time.

The rotary plunger (the “fish”)

You can also « pass the fish » down the clogged bath or shower drain.

The cable of the manual rotary plunger, ferret advances by turning on itself and easily slips through all the meanders of the drains of showers, baths and sinks.

The twists it performs dislodge the clumps, which contributes to the unclogging of the drain. An 8m long rotary plunger will penetrate to a sufficient depth to clear the clogged pipe.

There are also electric rotary plungers, but since the cable is longer and its diameter is larger, these are mainly used by plumbers to remove clogs that have lodged in the sewer pipe and caused a sewer backup.

The suction cup

Most people are very familiar with the bell-shaped plunger used to unclog the toilet.

However, there is also a cup-shaped plunger to unclog the drain of a bath, shower, sink or basin. It should be remembered that in order to unclog a drain, the water pressure in the clogged pipe must be reduced.

This is the reason why any secondary opening must be plugged with a cloth. For example: the second basin of a double sink, the overflow outlet of the bath or sink…

Baking soda and vinegar

Simply mix ½ cup baking soda with ½ cup white vinegar (and salt if desired),
immediately pour in the vinegar slowly, while it fizzes and, 15-20 minutes later, add hot water before leaving the mixture to act for at least a few hours.

This recipe is effective in preventing clogged shower drains or bath drains if used on a regular (weekly) basis. On the other hand, if the residue clog is more serious, this method of unclogging drains will not have the necessary dissolving capacity. It would then be recommended to use the service of your plumber.

The Drano

Of course, chemical liquids to unclog pipes such as Drano are more concentrated and therefore more effective in unclogging a more clogged drain.

It should be remembered that Drano is a highly harmful chemical for humans. If it causes serious burns to the skin (by contact), imagine what such a product could cause to the digestive tract of a child who would have access to it if it were stored in an inappropriate place. And what about the harmful effects and permanent consequences of a splash received in the eyes (risk of blindness)?

Moreover, if such a chemical liquid is used for unclogging the toilet, the porcelain of the bowl could be damaged. There is even a risk that the pipes will burst since used too frequently, these corrosive products eat away at metal plumbing pipes or seriously damage plastic (ABS) pipes.

You will then need to call a plumber urgently.

A non-emergency service call to a plumber to unclog a drain costs a hundred dollars and neither you nor your loved ones are in any danger whatsoever.

Tips from plumbers for unclogging a toilet

The toilet is probably the least pleasant element to unclog. Here are some tips to be effective.

First, avoid flushing the toilet more than once. Because if the cork resisted a first time, it would be surprising if a second time was sufficient. The more you pull it, the more you risk causing the water to overflow… that goes without saying. Then, for your health, put on rubber gloves before handling the inside of the toilet. It is also a good idea to cover the floor with paper towels to absorb spills, because you have to anticipate them. Make sure the room is well ventilated so that the use of chemicals does not bother you.

Concretely, for unclogging the toilet, you should try a plunger first (unless it’s a solid object causing the clog). A good suction cup is wide, sturdy and bowl-shaped. Tip: To soften the suction cup, run it under hot water before trying it on. When using it, make sure it completely covers the drain hole. When using the plunger, your toilet may empty without the clog coming off, so fill the toilet with water (with a boiler). He may make you do this more than once until the clog comes free.

It does not work ? Try dishwashing liquid with hot water, in an attempt to loosen the clog. It will also not work in the case of a rigid object blocking the pipe. Consider trying at least one of the cleaning fluids listed above as well.

Without success ? Try a coat hanger. This solution is applicable when the plug is very close to the drain hole.

Warnings about unclogging a pipe

Don’t leave a clog in place too long, which can damage your plumbing. It is better to invest in a plumber than to have to manage a bath, shower, sink or toilet in poor condition. Partial or complete replacement of a piping system can be expensive, depending on the type of clog that has caused havoc and its size.
Do not use a plunger after putting chemicals in a toilet. Splashes could harm your health.
Soyez prudent avec un cintre lorsque vous tentez de déloger un bouchon, il peut endommager la surface de votre évier, de votre toilette, de votre bain ou de votre douche.
Don’t use a regular household vacuum to suck up a clog in your pipes!
Les produits chimiques peuvent nécessiter plus de temps pour déloger ou désagréger un bouchon, il vous faudra donc vous armer de patience ou bien contacter un plombier s’il y a urgence.

Hire a plumber to unclog a toilet, pipe, drain, etc. ?

If you are more or less comfortable with these steps or don’t have the time or resources, hire a reliable plumber.

He will possibly use a snake which consists of a flexible metal rod that will work its way through the pipe to reach the clog. This, even if it is quite far away. He could also opt for a vacuum cleaner designed to suck up water or other methods that require special equipment.

Opting for the plumber means choosing a quick and reliable long-term solution. When necessary, the plumber will inform you of the actions to take to prevent a clog from happening again.

And as for having a plumber in your house, ask the plumber to check the condition of certain elements of your pipes. You know it: prevention is better than cure. He can also give you advice on use or other.

How much does it cost to have a plumber unclog a pipe?

Some plumbers are also more economical than others and the nature of their services differ.

So, to get a quick price estimate from reliable plumbers for unclogging your bath, sink, shower, toilet or unclogging a drain or sewer, simply fill out the quote request form on this page.

Our quote request service is free, fast (you could receive your prices in the next few minutes only) and without obligation on your part.