All I know is that having a good emergency plumbing kit and knowing a few good plumbing hacks is never a bad thing. However, I am so thankful for plumbers because, seriously,, there are situation where a simple kit and knowing a few hacks just don’t work.
To celebrate National Hug A Plumber Day, we have joined Mr. Rooter Plumbing to share a few helpful DIY plumbing kits and a few hacks everyone should know.
Since it’s hard to determine when plumbing issues will happen, we wanted to help you be prepared for clogged drains, toilets, and smelly garbage disposals.
DIY Emergency Plumbing Kit
With the help of our friends at Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we came up with the following DIY Emergency Plumbing Kit, which should include the following items:
- Plunger
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Rags
- Gloves
- Wire hanger
Hacks Everyone Should Know
If you have not experienced minor plumbing issues yet, consider yourself lucky, but don’t plan on them lasting forever. It never fails; plumbing issues happen, most often at the worst time. I hope these tips will help solve your minor plumbing issues before they turn into major ones.
Unclog Drains
Wire Hanger Method
Straighten a regular wire coat hanger as much as possible. Bend one end creating a hook and push it through the drain to fish out hair, build-up, and other gunk. Once it’s all pulled out, run hot water through drains, and it should clear things up for you.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Method
Mix 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/3 cup vinegar. The mixture will fizz when combined so you will want to pour immediately down the drain. The fix action will help to break down gunk, hair, and grime. Allow to sit for about an hour or overnight if possible and flush with hot water.
Another option is to pour dry baking powder down the drain first, followed by vinegar.
Boiling Water Method
The easiest of all is to boil as much water as possible and slowly pour it down the drain in two or three stages. Allow the boiling water to sit for several seconds so it can work between each pour.
Unclog Toilet
Do not keep flushing your toilet because it will cause it to overflow. Use a plunger and plunge your toilet with a good amount of force. The plunger will need a good connection to toilet. The goal is to push blockage through.
Use quick and repetitive plunging motions. If you notice movement in the toilet, this could be a sign that blockage is being pushed through.
Before flushing your toilet, make sure that water is draining.
Never pour a chemical cleaner down your toilet; these chemicals can irritate your skin and eyes or even damage your pipes.
If this doesn’t work, contact a professional plumber.
Clean garbage disposal
Pour ½ cup baking soda into your garbage disposal, followed by one cup of vinegar. Pour the vinegar slowly, allowing the mixture to fix itself. If you have a double sink, you will want to plug the opposite side of the sink.
While the mixture is fizzing, boil hot water. Carefully pour boiling water down the drain to rinse away debris and loosen the baking soda and vinegar.
Fill the drain with two cups of ice, add 1 cup coarse rock or sea salt, and run the cold water and garbage disposal.
Cut a lemon or lime in half, adding both halves to the drain one at a time. This will deodorize your disposal. Repeat weekly or daily if odors persist; continue until odors are eliminated.
In honor of National Hug A Plumber Day, April 25th, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is taking Seattle, Washington, by storm to salute America’s unsung heroes, who we often forget about. They go above and beyond the call of duty to help keep our plumbing and lives running smoothly.
This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Mr. Rooter Plumbing. All opinions are my own.
2 comments
Wire Hanger Method is is my go to for bathroom drains, it is gross but works!
Plumbing is the most expensive part of the household. Knowing these hacks help a lot in solving plumbing problems in your home. But if the plumbing issues become worsens, it becomes mandatory to contact the professionals to protect your home from plumbing disasters.