Nothing more annoying than a clogged drain and even more so when trying to unclog it. If only we could live without a clogged drain but the thing is, it’s an unavoidable situation. The drains clog due to our hair, oil from foods or soap scum. With this in mind, how to we unclog our own drains without having to call in the plumber every single time. Here are four simple ways of unclogging your sink or shower drain:

1. Boiling water: Heat from boiling water melts the soap scum clogging the drain. You should note that this method alone may not be sufficient to clear the drain. It can be combined with other methods listed below for effectiveness.
2. Plunger: The good old plunger can do wonders to clear your drain depending on the location of the clog in the drain, nature of the blockage and how your drain is designed. This method works best when the clog is within reach of the plunger’s suction, if not you might struggle a bit to clear the drain. Try adding petroleum jelly to the edges of the plunger to get a firmer hold. Again this method is partially effective depending on the depth of the clog.
3. Baking soda and vinegar: You can combine this method with the hot water method to get the best result. First, pour boiling water down the drain, then some baking powder, wait for a few minutes then pour some vinegar. Typically you wait for an hour or less for the clog to dissolve and finish off by pouring more boiling water down the drain.
4. Hook: Fold a piece of wire into a hook shape or get a wire hanger to use to unclog the drain. Simply use the hook-end to fish out the clog depending on how deep it is.

Foreign objects such as jewelry, bottle cap or toothpaste cap can clog the drain, in such cases, it is advisable to get the services of a professional plumber to avoid grave damages to your drain. Having a drain protector can help to trap hair and other foreign objects from blocking your drain.

Nancy Ewurum is a young and ambitious lady with a passion for creative writing and social entrepreneurship through software development. Currently enrolled in the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology, Accra, she writes in her spare time. You can connect with her on twitter.