Plumbing 101: Guide to Clear Clogged Water Drain

Nothing ruins a great meal like a clogged drain and a sink that won't drain afterward. And nothing ruins a morning shower like standing ankle-deep in soapy water.

But with our easy-to-follow DIY guide on how to unclog your water drain, you can say goodbye to slow-moving drains and hello to water that flows freely. We've got you covered with step-by-step instructions for fixing those stubborn clogs and keeping your plumbing in a tip-top shape.

What are the common plumber tools needed?

The tools you need to fix a clogged drain depend on how bad the clog is and how you plan to get rid of it. Here are some of the most common tools you might need:

1. Plunger: You can use a plunger to break up and clear clogs in sinks, toilets, and shower or tub drains.
2. Drain snake or auger: A drain snake is a long, flexible cable with a small auger or corkscrew at the end. It can be used to reach and break up clogs deep in the pipes.
3. Plumbing snakes: A plumbing snake is a long, flexible steel cable with a handle on one end and an auger or corkscrew on the other. It is used to clear clogs in drain pipes.
4. Pipe wrench: A pipe wrench can be used to loosen and remove the P-trap, which is the curved pipe under the sinks, so that you can get to blockages and clear them out.
5. Bucket and towels: You may need a bucket to catch any water that leaks out of the pipes and towels to clean up any water or debris that may be there.
6. Chemical drain cleaners: Chemical drain cleaners can be used to break up clogs in the pipes, but they should be used carefully because they can be bad for the pipes and the environment.
7. Water bucket: To flush out the pipes once the clog has been removed.
8. Protective gloves: To prevent any chemical burns or injury while handling tools and chemical cleaners.

It's important to note that if the clog is severe or if you are unable to remove it, it may be best to call a professional plumber for assistance.

What are some natural ways to unclog drains at home?

1. Baking soda and vinegar: In a measuring cup, combine 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of vinegar. Pour the mix down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, run hot water down the drain to clear it.
2. Boiling water: Boiling water can help break up and dissolve grease and soap scum that might cause the clog. Pour boiling water from a pot down the drain.
3. Mix together half a cup of salt and half a cup of baking soda. Pour the mixture down the drain, and then flush with hot water.
4. Lemon juice: Because it's acidic, lemon juice can help break up and dissolve clogs. Pour 1/2 cup of lemon juice down the drain, and then run hot water through it to clear it.
5. Plunger: Use a plunger to loosen and get rid of clogs in sinks, toilets, and shower/tub drains.
6. Straighten a wire hanger and use it to fish out any debris that may be blocking the drain.

How to Clear a Clogged Drain in 6 Steps?

Some drain problems need to be fixed by a plumber, but others can be fixed by the following steps:

1. Remove any water that's standing. Standing water needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible because it quickly grows mold, bacteria, and bugs. Getting rid of it also makes room for the extra water you'll need later to flush the drain.
2. Clear out any obvious clogs and check the garbage disposal. From hair you don't want to scraps of food you don't want, it's important to put on rubber gloves and get rid of the trash. (If your garbage disposal makes a low hum, it's probably clogged. Turn it off, unplug it, and turn the blades by hand to clear the jam.)
3. You could boil salt in water or vinegar and baking soda. Pour a half cup of table salt and then boiling water down the drain. Or, try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Let it bubble for 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half cup of salt. Let it sit for a few hours, then flush it with boiling water. If you need to, repeat these steps before calling a plumber.
4. Plunge it out. If boiling water and the mixtures mentioned above don't work, try plunging. First, put a rag in the tub or sink's overflow hole or use a cloth or stopper to close off the other side of a double sink. This makes the seal tighter, which puts pressure right on the clog. After several hard plunges, flush the drain with warm water.
5. Snake the P-trap after cleaning it. Under the sink, the P-trap is in the bend of the drainpipe. Put a bucket or pail under it to catch any water or things that fall out. Loosen the slip nut on the trap arm and assembly and gently move it to the side. Remove anything that is stuck there and put it back in place. Do not overtighten the slip nuts—a quarter turn with a wrench and a hard tightening is enough.
6. Snake the pipe. If you take out the P-trap and still can't see the clog, start snaking. Remove the P-trstub-outet to the "stubout" of the pipe, and then thread the snake's tip into it. Tighten the set screw and spin the snake down the drain in a clockwise direction. Keep turning the snake until you hit a wall and feel the blockage break. Pull the snake back, put the P-trap back together, and flush the line with a lot of warm water.

Overall Summary

Depending on the cause and severity, unclogging a drain might be easy or difficult. Hair, grease, soap scum, food scraps, and other items can clog drains. Use a plunger to unclog sinks, toilets, and shower/tub drains. If it fails, try baking soda and vinegar, boiling water, salt and baking soda, lemon juice, or a wire hanger.

These treatments may not work for all clogs, so if the clog is serious or you can't remove it, call a plumber. A skilled plumber can safely clear the blockage and find its source to stop it from happening again.

Running hot water down the drain, pouring a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down the drain once a week, and avoiding fat and oil can help prevent clogs.

via David Murrows Home and Garden davidmurrowathome.blogspot.com