A clogged drain can turn a good day upside down quickly. Nevertheless, not all clogs are the same. Although we can tackle a lot of minor clogs with DIY solutions, those stubborn or recurring blockages often call for a professional plumber’s expertise. Before you grab that DIY toolkit, it’s crucial to know when your efforts can help—and when it’s better to call in a pro.
At Five Star Home Services, we’re here to help you understand what works best for your situation and ensure your plumbing stays in top-notch condition. Let’s explore the safest DIY tricks, the risks of chemical cleaners, and the red flags that mean it’s time to bring in the experts.
Do DIY Drain Cleaners Work?
The short answer? Sure! DIY drain cleaners work — but only for minor clogs caused by everyday materials such as grease, soap scum, and/or hair. Because these are minor clogs, simple and natural solutions can often resolve them. These blockages usually don’t require chemicals or expensive tools.
Popular DIY Ingredients:
- Baking Soda & Vinegar: A classic combination that creates a fizzing reaction to break down light clogs.
- Hot Water & Dish Soap: Great for cutting through grease in kitchen sinks.
- Homemade Drain Snake: A bent wire hanger works wonders for pulling out hair or other debris in shallow clogs.
These natural solutions are a budget-friendly, environmentally safe alternative to chemical drain cleaners, which can harm pipes over time. But before you grab that bottle of liquid cleaner from the store, here’s what you need to know.
Why You Should Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners might seem like the quickest solution, but their risks often outweigh the benefits. Here’s why they’re not always the best choice:
- Pipe Damage: Most chemical cleaners are highly corrosive and can weaken or even damage your plumbing over time, especially older pipes.
- Health Hazards: The toxic fumes emitted can irritate your skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
- Environmental Impact: These harsh chemicals can find their way into water systems, harming the environment.
Looking for safe and effective homemade alternatives? Check out The Spruce’s Guide to DIY Drain Cleaners.
Benefits of Trying DIY Drain Cleaners First
For straightforward clogs, DIY solutions offer several advantages:
- Cost-Effective: DIY methods typically use inexpensive, everyday household ingredients.
- Eco-Friendly: Natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar are safe for your pipes and the planet.
- Convenient: For minor clogs, you can often resolve the issue instantly without waiting for an appointment.
But keep in mind — not all clogs are created equal. Sometimes, DIY solutions are only temporary fixes. You might have a much deeper issue that requires the expertise of a professional plumber.
When to DIY vs. Calling a Professional
Owning a home, it is important to know when a clog can be addressed with DIY techniques and when it’s going to require professional attention.
Try DIY for These Minor Issues:
- Slow Drainage: Light grease buildup in kitchen sinks or mild soap scum in bathroom drains.
- Simple Hair Clogs: Tangle troubles in the shower? DIY drain snakes or plungers can work wonders.
- Everyday Kitchen Clogs: Grease or small food debris usually responds well to hot water and dish soap.
Call a Pro for These Serious Clogs:
- Recurring Blockages: If your drain keeps clogging even after cleaning, there’s likely a deeper issue.
- Foul Odors: Bad smells coming from drains could indicate rotting debris or sewer line problems.
- Standing Water: Water that simply won’t drain is a clear sign of a severe clog or pipe damage.
- Gurgling Sounds: Noises from your pipes may signal air trapped due to a blockage.
When in doubt, contacting an expert is the safest way to prevent small inconveniences from turning into larger, more expensive problems. If you’re looking for a local plumbing professional for a drain clog, remember we are always here to help! You can schedule an appointment with Five Star Home Services to get the issue resolved quickly. Otherwise, if it’s minor, we’d like to offer you some tips below.
The Best DIY Drain Cleaner Solutions for Minor Clogs
The following is what we recommend. This is a step-by-step guide of our favorite DIY drain-cleaning methods for minor clogs:
1. Baking Soda & Vinegar
- Pour ½ cup of baking soda into the clogged drain.
- Follow with ½ cup of vinegar.
- Cover with a drain stopper and wait 15–30 minutes.
- Flush with boiling water.
This method is ideal for light grease and buildup.
2. Hot Water & Dish Soap
- Add a few drops of dish soap to a pot of boiling water.
- Slowly pour it down the drain.
- This works best for grease clogs in kitchen sinks.
3. DIY Drain Snake
- Unbend a wire hanger, leaving a small hook on the end.
- Carefully insert it into the drain to pull out hair or debris.
- Repeat until the blockage is cleared.
4. Plunger Method
- Ensure a tight seal between the plunger and the drain.
- Use firm, consistent pressure to dislodge the clog.
Need more tips for stubborn bathroom clogs? Be sure to check out our blog on How to Unclog a Shower Drain Like a Pro. We break this down more in that article as we are always here to help! You can also check out our blog on how to use a plumbing snake.
Why a Professional Drain Cleaning is Sometimes Necessary
Although DIY solutions often suffice, deeper problems require more advanced tools and expertise:
- Thorough Inspections: Professionals use tools like video cameras to detect the root of the problem.
- Advanced Solutions: Techniques like hydro jetting provide long-term results compared to temporary DIY fixes.
- Expertise You Can Trust: Licensed plumbers have the training to prevent damage and resolve complex issues safely.
When DIY solutions don’t cut it, call on Five Star Home Services for reliable plumbing services. Check out our Sewer and Drain Cleaning Services to learn more.
Why Choose Five Star Home Services?
We’re not just another plumbing company—we’re your local experts, committed to providing fast, reliable solutions in Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati and surrounding areas. The following are a few reasons why homeowners trust us:
- Same-Day Service: Because you shouldn’t have to wait.
- Experienced Technicians: Our team is licensed, trained, and trusted.
- Upfront Pricing: No surprises, no hidden fees.
- Satisfaction Guarantee: We’re not happy unless you are.
Don’t Wait—Get Five Star Service Today!
A small clog can quickly turn into a big problem. Don’t stress! We’re on our way. Contact Five Star Home Services today to schedule your drain cleaning appointment!
Remember, when you need it fixed today— just call Five Star!
We’re here to help!
