Moms' DIY Fixes to Three Common Plumbing Problems

When your shower drain is clogged, your toilet won’t flush, and your sink won’t drain, deploy these handy techniques using common household items. Go ahead and give her the best Mother’s Day gift of all — handling the plumbing issues on your own.

For a clogged shower drain

Fix that slow drain with a wire hanger and some baking ingredients.

Supplies:

• 1 wire hanger

• 1 plunger

• 1 cup of vinegar

• 1 cup of baking soda

• Hot water

Directions:

1. Start by using the wire hanger as a hook to remove any initial blockage (hair, etc.) from the drain.

2. Then try plunging the drain with a plunger.

3. If that doesn’t fix the problem, pour the baking soda down the drain followed by vinegar.

4. Let it sit for a couple of hours, and use hot water to clear out the drain.

For a slow draining sink

Grab some supplies from the kitchen to get that murky water out of your sight.

Supplies:

• 1 cup of baking soda

• 1 cup of table salt

• 1 cup of white vinegar

• Boiling water

Directions:

1. Pour the baking soda down the drain

2. Follow it up with the salt and then the vinegar

3. Wait 10-15 minutes

4. Finish it off with the boiling water

For a backed-up toilet

Fix your porcelain throne before any water hits the ground.

Supplies

• 1 cup of baking soda

• 2 cups of vinegar

• 1 gallon of boiling water

Directions

1. Start by pouring the baking soda into the toilet, allowing it to sink to the bottom of the bowl

2. Slowly pour the vinegar and wait for a couple of hours (use the boiling water only if the toilet is short on water)

Still having issues? Call in the experts to ensure drains are cleared without damage to the plumbing. And always take preventative measures to ensure your shower drains, sinks, and toilets are free of debris and other clogging agents.