The Affordable Way To Unclog Drains Using A Household Essential

If your drains have been slower than usual, it's probably about time you gave them a thorough cleaning. While this isn't everyone's favorite household chore, it's unfortunately a necessary task. When your home drains go without regular de-gunking, they are prone to clogs, water damage, and foul odors. A clog may seem like an insignificant issue, but left unchecked, it can affect the pressure of your entire plumbing system. Since no one wants ruptured pipes, it's best to clean your drains consistently, and you can do this with a simple household hack using a zip tie.

While a drain snake is usually preferred, since it's designed for this exact purpose, we don't always have them on hand. If you want to DIY your own drain snake out of zip ties and save some cash, you'll need a handful of zip ties and a pair of scissors or a wirecutter. This can work on your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, or tub drain. 

If your zip ties are on the shorter side, you can go ahead and connect a few to create a longer snake. You'll want this tool to reach as far down the drain as possible. Next, taking your scissors or wirecutter, cut small diagonal notches down each side of the zip ties to mimic the hooks of the traditional drain snake. If you can, pull each notch outward to create a bigger hook, which will help catch any gunk residing in the drain. Insert your DIY snake into the drain, making sure to stick it as far in as possible, using circular motions to catch as much debris, hair, and other contents as possible. You may want to wear gloves for this part.

You can repeat this process until the DIY snake comes out as clean as possible. If your drain is still slow, or you can still smell foul odors from the pipes, you may want to try using an actual snake drain or call for professional assistance. When it comes to drains, it's always better to err on the side of caution.