Any plumbing fixture, from your kitchen sink to your toilet, will inevitably develop blockages over time. Clearing them doesn’t have to be stressful.
This guide will walk you through practical techniques to clear stubborn clogs in different settings using drain cleaners, common household tools, and specialized equipment. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey also demonstrates several methods for tackling clogs in various fixtures.
Common Causes of Drain Clogs
Before diving into clearing methods, it’s helpful to understand what typically causes drain clogs:
- Hair and soap scum in bathroom sinks and showers
- Food particles and grease in kitchen sinks
- Mineral buildup in pipes over time
- Toilet paper and non-flushable items in toilets
- Objects accidentally flushed down drains
These causes can vary depending on the type of fixture and the materials used in your plumbing system. Identifying what commonly affects your drains can better prepare you to prevent and address clogs.
How To Unclog a Toilet
Toilet clogs can be particularly troublesome, but they’re often easy to resolve with the right approach.
Using a Plunger
- Verify there’s enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger head.
- Place the plunger over the drain opening, creating a seal.
- Push down gently to expel air, then pull up sharply.
- Repeat the plunging motion several times.
Richard emphasizes the importance of pulling up on the plunger rather than just pushing it down. This action helps break up the clog and allows gravity to do its work. It’s also important to maintain a good seal for effective plunging.
Using a Closet Auger
If plunging doesn’t work, a closet auger can be highly effective:
- Insert the auger into the toilet bowl, with the curved end pointing towards the drain.
- Crank the handle to feed the cable into the drain.
- When you feel resistance, continue cranking to break up the clog.
- Retract the auger and flush the toilet to clear any debris.
Closet augers are designed to navigate the curves of a toilet’s drain and are less likely to damage the toilet’s surface than standard drain snakes.
How To Unclog a Sink
Kitchen and bathroom sinks can develop clogs for different reasons, but the clearing methods are similar.
Plunging a Sink
- Remove the sink stopper if present.
- Cover the overflow hole with a wet cloth to create a better seal.
- Fill the sink with a few inches of water.
- Place the plunger over the drain and plunge vigorously.
Plunging can be very effective for minor clogs that are relatively close to the drain opening. It’s a simple first step before moving on to more invasive methods.
Using a Drain Snake
For more stubborn clogs:
- Remove the P-trap under the sink if accessible.
- Insert the snake into the drain pipe.
- Turn the handle to feed the snake into the pipe until you feel resistance.
- Rotate the snake to break up the clog.
- Retract the snake and run water to clear the drain.
Richard demonstrates how to properly use a drain snake, emphasizing the importance of gently advancing the cable and using the locking mechanism to maintain control. This technique helps make sure the snake doesn’t damage your pipes while clearing the clog effectively.
Clearing a Clog in a Bathtub or Shower Drain
Bathtub and shower drains often clog due to hair and soap scum buildup.
Removing the Overflow Plate
- Unscrew and remove the overflow plate.
- Insert the drain snake through the overflow opening.
- Feed the snake down and through the P-trap.
- Rotate the snake to break up any clogs.
Accessing the drain through the overflow opening provides a straighter path to the P-trap, making it easier to clear clogs effectively. This method is handy for deep-seated clogs that a plunger can’t reach.
Using a Plunger on a Bathtub or Shower Drain
Sometimes, a plunger can also be effective for bathtub and shower drains. Confirm the overflow is blocked and use the same technique as sink plunging.
Dealing with Main Drain Line Clogs
The problem may lie in the main drain line when multiple fixtures are affected.
Using a Power Auger
- Locate the main cleanout plug — usually in the basement or outside the house.
- Remove the plug and insert the power auger cable.
- Turn on the auger and feed the cable into the pipe.
- Work the cable back and forth when you encounter resistance to break up the clog.
- Retract the cable and flush the line with water.
Power augers are effective for main drain line clogs. They combine mechanical action with significant force to break up obstructions.
Hydro-Jetting
For severe clogs, professional hydro-jetting may be necessary. This method uses high-pressure water to clear even the most stubborn blockages. Hydro-jetting is best left to professionals as it requires specialized equipment and expertise.
Preventive Maintenance for Clogs
Preventing clogs is easier than clearing them. Here are some tips to keep your drains flowing freely:
- Use drain strainers in sinks and showers to catch hair and debris.
- Avoid pouring grease down kitchen drains.
- Flush only toilet paper and human waste down toilets.
- Run hot water through drains regularly to prevent buildup.
- Employ enzymatic drain cleaners periodically to break down organic matter without the harsh effects of chemical cleaners.
Regular maintenance helps prolong your plumbing system’s life and reduces clogs’ frequency.
Tools You’ll Need to Unclog a Drain
- The first tool to reach for when trouble arises is a plunger. This plumber’s friend clears clogs from most fixtures, including sinks, tubs, and toilets. Every homeowner should keep one handy.
- To dislodge clogs located farther down the drainpipe, use a cable auger, or plumber’s snake, a long, flexible steel cable wound around a spool that’s fitted with a hand crank. Cable augers are available in lengths up to 100 feet, though a 25-foot model will suffice for most any household clog.
- A closet auger is specifically made for snaking out toilets. It, too, is equipped with a hand crank, but instead of a spool, the cable is encased in a rigid shaft. The auger end is bent at a precise angle to fit through the tight curves of a toilet trap.
- For a very large clog or one that’s far from the fixture, rent an electric power auger. This machine — basically a large cable auger powered by an electric motor—is very effective at cutting through virtually any clog, even tangled tree roots. Before bringing home a power auger, be sure the rental agent shows you how to safely dispense and retrieve the cable.
The Best Drain Cleaners to Keep in Your Home
While some clogs can be eliminated using the tools listed above, there are other times when a drain cleaner is needed. Here are our picks for the top drain cleaners on the market to help you deal with any clogging emergency.
Compare Top Drain Cleaners
| Product | Cleaner Type | Quantity | Works For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Liquid |
80-ounce bottle |
Showers, tubs, sinks, metal pipes, septic tanks, garbage disposals, and more |
|
|
Snake cleaner |
5 plastic drain snakes and a reusable plastic handle |
Clogged sinks and bathtubs |
|
|
Snake cleaner |
3 plastic drain snakes and two stainless steel drain snakes |
Kitchen sinks, toilets, washbasin, bathtubs, floor drains |
|
|
Powder |
5 pre-measured packets |
Bathroom sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, kitchen sinks, floor drains, slop sinks, septic tanks, urinals, and more |
|
|
Liquid |
1-quart bottle |
Sink, tub, or drain |
Best Multi-Drain Cleaner
Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner
Pros and Cons of Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner
- Comes in a large 80-ounce bottle
- Has a thick consistency that cuts through tough clogs
- Works in 15 minutes
- Some customers said that it wasn’t effective on toilet pipes
- Blobs can develop in the gel
Key Features
Key Features
- Comes in an 80-ounce bottle
- Has a gel consistency
- Works in showers, tubs, sinks, metal pipes, septic tanks, garbage disposals, and more
Best For Hair Clogs
FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner
ith 360-degree rotation and an 18-inch length, this drain cleaner reaches down deep to get clogs caused by hair without damaging your drain. Made of thin and flexible material, this drain cleaner fights through curves to get hair from even the hardest-to-reach places
Pros and Cons of FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner
- Unclogs drains instantly
- Includes a reusable quick-connect handle
- Made of thin and flexible material to fight through curves
- Won’t clear all types of clogs
- Some customers said that it pushed materials further down the drain
Key Features
Key Features
- Comes with five plastic drain snakes and a reusable plastic handle
- Measures 18 inches long
- Has a brush-like material on the snake ends
- Bends to maneuver around corners
Most Versatile Cleaner
Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner
This drain cleaner pack comes equipped with five drain snakes in three styles to ensure that it can tackle any drain or clog you might have. The stainless steel snake with the blue handle is ideal for bathrooms and sewers, while the one with the red handle tackles hair and smaller items. Finally, its three plastic sink snakes have a multi-tooth design to capture obstructions.
Pros and Cons of Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner
- Made with stainless steel and plastic for durability
- Has three lengths up to 40 inches to work in shallow and deep drains
- The plastic snakes have hooks along their bodies to hold the clog-causing debris
- The plastic snakes’ hooks are sharp
- Some customers said that it didn’t work on pipes with bends
Key Features
Key Features
- Comes with three plastic drain snakes and two stainless steel drain snakes
- Measures 20, 24, and 40 inches long
- Has hooks along the plastic drain snakes
- Bends to maneuver around corners
Best Single-Use Cleaner
Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover
Coming in five single-use, ready-to-go packets, this drain cleaner takes the guesswork out of unclogging drains. Effective on sinks, toilets, tubs, floor drains, and more, this cleaner is a quick and easy way to remove items blocking your drain. The packets are also paired with drain snakes to double up on the unclogging power.
Pros and Cons of Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover
- Has a lemon scent
- Includes five hair grabber tools
- Works in 15–30 minutes
- Comes in a small quantity
- Sometimes requires a second treatment to fully unclog the drain
Key Features
Key Features
- Comes in five pre-measured packets
- Has a powder consistency
- Has an environmentally friendly and biodegradable formula
- Comes with five plastic drain snakes
- Has hooks along the plastic drain snakes
- Works in showers, tubs, sinks, toilets, floor drains, RV drains, urinals, and more
Best For Septic Tanks
Xion Lab Safer Greener Drain Clog Remover
With innovative technology that fights clogs at the root, this drain cleaner is powerful enough to handle tough clogs without damaging the biological enzymes that keep septic tanks operating. It uses a heavy gel formula that sinks through water to reach the obstruction.
Pros and Cons of Xion Lab Safer Greener Drain Clog Remover
- Has a biodegradable and non-flammable formula
- Approved for use on all types of pipes
- The manufacturer donates a percentage of its sales to fight drug addiction
- Doesn’t work on paper, plastic, or food particles
- Comes in a smaller bottle than the Drano option in this review
Key Features
Key Features
- Comes in a one-quart bottle
- Has a gel consistency
- Has a biodegradable and non-flammable formula
- Works in showers, tubs, sinks, septic tanks, and more
When To Call a Professional to Fix a Clog
While many clogs can be cleared with do-it-yourself methods, certain situations require professional help. Suppose you’re dealing with recurring clogs despite your best efforts, multiple drains clogged simultaneously, foul odors or gurgling sounds from drains, water backing up into other fixtures, or visible water damage or leaks. In that case, it’s time to call in the experts.