Various plumbing fixtures, from kitchen sinks to toilets, inevitably develop blockages over time, but clearing them doesn’t have to be stressful. This guide will walk you through practical techniques to clear stubborn clogs in different drains using various drain cleaners, common household tools, and specialized equipment. This Old House plumbing and heating expert, Richard Trethewey, 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.
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.
The Drawbacks of Chemical Drain Cleaners
Many homeowners turn to chemical drain cleaners as a quick fix for clogs, but these products often cause more harm than good. They can damage pipes, particularly older ones, and harm the environment. Additionally, chemical cleaners may not effectively clear stubborn clogs and can pose safety risks if they splash or release toxic fumes.
Instead of relying on chemicals, stick to mechanical methods like plunging and snaking for safer, more effective results. Mechanical methods are safer, more environmentally friendly, and less damaging to your plumbing system.
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.
Resources
Richard demonstrates how to handle simple clogs in a bathroom sink, kitchen sink, and toilet using different mechanical devices and the proper techniques. When using a plunger he recommends creating a seal with the flange and pulling back on the plunger allowing the clog to break up. A closet auger is used for toilet clogs and has a protective sleeve to ensure that the porcelain toilet isn’t damaged. K-3 Toilet Auger manufactured by Ridgid.
The water pressure produced by a drain bladder can scour away the material left in place by a drain snake, in this case, one made by Cobra Tools.