How Do You Unclog a Drain with Standing Water?

How to use essential ingredients you’ll find around your house to clear a drain with standing water

If you find yourself staring into a sink of murky water that won’t go down or standing in ankle-deep shower water, you need a safe, at-home drain clearing solution fast. As daunting as that sink may be when it doesn’t stop filling, often, you can fix your clogged sink in just three easy steps with items you can find around the house.

Gather these items to get started:

• A pair of rubber gloves
• A rag
• A cup or bucket
• A rod or a long spoon handle
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1 cup of vinegar
• Boiling water

Step 1 — Remove the Blockage & the Water

Pull on your rubber gloves and reach into the drain. Sinks easily collect hair, debris, and little globs of soap and other products, which can clog the drain over time. When you reach into the drain, feel for anything that could get in the way of the water and remove it.

If the standing water begins to drain freely and quickly, then you’re all set! If not, use a cup to empty the water from the sink by hand. Pour that water down a functioning drain or take it outside. Once your sink is as dry as it can be, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2 — Carefully Pour Your Chemicals Into the Drain

You don’t need expensive, pipe-damaging drain cleaning products to clear your sink drain effectively. Instead, you can use ingredients from around the house to create a safe DIY chemical drain cleaner. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, being sure to cover as much of the drain’s interior as possible. Use a spoon handle or a long rod to push the baking soda into the drain so as not to break the spoon or rod off in the drain. Next, slowly pour half a cup of vinegar into the drain.

Once you hear a fizzing sound, cover the drain with a rag. This keeps the chemical reaction concentrated into the drain so it can work on the clog. When you hear the fizzing stop, repeat the process with another half a cup of baking soda and vinegar and cover with the rag.

Step 3 — Wait, Then Slowly Add Boiling Water

Set a timer for 30 minutes to let the chemical mixture fully penetrate the clog. Once the timer stops, boil a whole kettle of water. Slowly pour the boiling water down the drain to flush the clog and remove any remaining chemical mixture.

Call the Professionals for a Robust Drain Clearing Solution

If your sink drain still won’t drain properly, it’s time to call in a professional plumber for a complete drain clearing solution. The expert plumbers at Alliance Plumbing have the expertise and tools to tackle any drain problems in the greater Clear Lake area.

To free your drains (and your stress!) with drain clearing services in the Houston, TX, and Greater Clear Lake area, call Alliance Plumbing at 281-488-0296 today!