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How to Clean Hair Out of a Drain

How to Clean Hair Out of a Drain

Hair clumps are among the more common causes of clogged drains. As hair strands accumulate in the drain, they may also collect grease and other materials. Over time, you will notice that the water drains more slowly out of the tub or sink. A small clog that is a minor annoyance can turn into a major issue as the clump increases in size. Eventually, you will not be able to use the sink or tub until the clog has been removed. While clog removal can be a messy job, it is relatively easy to do in many cases. These are some of the more effective clog removal methods.

A Plunger and Grease Remover

Oil and grease from cooking, your body’s natural oils and other sources can combine with hair to create a large glob. Targeting the grease often makes hair clog removal easier to do. To remove the grease, start by pouring liquid dish soap into the drain. Then, pour a cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Follow this with a cup of white vinegar. The vinegar and baking soda will begin to fizz. This combination of steps will target the grease and cause some of the hair to deteriorate.

While you wait for the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda to die down, boil a pot of water. Pour some of the boiling water down the drain, and use a plunger to move the debris in the drain. This may be enough to loosen the clog so that it can pass through the pipe. If not, continue alternating between plunging and pouring boiling water down the drain.

Manually Remove the Stopper and Clog

If the first method is ineffective, manually removing the clog is necessary. One method is to remove the drain stopper so that you can physically pull out the clumped matter. To remove the drain stopper, use a screwdriver and prying action. After pulling off the stopper, you can peer down the drain using a flashlight. Depending on how deep the clog is located in the pipe, you may be able to pull out the gunk using tweezers, needle-nose pliers or even a homemade snake from a clothes hanger. An alternative is to use a zip-it tool. This is a long, thin stick with barbs. The barbs will snag the clog so that you can easily pull it out. Regardless of how you remove the clog, follow up the process by cleaning the drain with the vinegar, baking soda and boiling water method described above.

Remove the Drain and Clog

For clogs that are located deeper in the pipe, it may be necessary to remove the entire drain rather than only the stopper. This process requires the use of standard and needle-nose pliers, an adjustable wrench, a flat-head screwdriver and a plug wrench. After removing the stopper, use the plug wrench or pliers to grip the drain’s crossbar. Using a counterclockwise motion, loosen and remove the drain. When the drain is removed, remove all debris before re-installing the drain. An alternative is to purchase a replacement drain at your local home improvement store.

Some people are not comfortable removing drain stoppers and entire drains, so professional assistance is required. In some cases, the clog may be located deeper in the pipe, and none of these methods may be effective. If you are in one of these situations, simply call our office to schedule an appointment. No plumbing issue is too tough for our team to handle. With our fast response time and our focus on customer satisfaction, we are professionals to call for all plumbing needs. Contact us today to schedule service for your home. Give us a call at (706) 303-0987 now to speak with a Drain Surgeon Professional now!