Soap and hair are the most frequent reasons for clogged bathroom drains; kitchen sinks most often get clogged with food remains. Regardless if a sink is completely clogged or simply slow, there are easy yet effective methods that one can use to solve the problem without professional help.
Materials Needed for Bathroom Plumbing Jobs
If there is more than one plumbing project waiting, make sure to start with the easiest one first to get some experience before tackling tougher ones like bathtub or shower drains. Here’s a list of the materials most likely needed for unclogging any drain:
- ball-type plunger (toilets only)
- bucket
- chemical drain cleaner
- drain auger
- penetrating oil
- rubber gloves
- screwdriver
- snake
- suction cup plunger
- toilet auger
- wrench
How to Unclog a Sluggish Drain
First, find out if the drain that is giving problems is clogged or simply sluggish. Turn on the hot water tap and let it run for five to ten minutes. Sluggish drains may open by this simple method.
If not, use an environmentally safe chemical drain opener, usually a caustic soda and bauxite mix. Read the label and follow instructions. Then flush remnants of the cleaner by letting hot water run again for about ten minutes. This should unclog sluggish drains.
How to Clean a Completely Clogged Drain
First, try to open the clogged sink drain with the help of a suction cup. Remove the basket strainer and let the hot water run until it stands about two inches deep in the sink. Pump a suction cup plunger up and down directly over the clogged drain. Try this for a few minutes. If this doesn’t help, the removal of some of the pipes may be necessary.
- First, place an empty bucket underneath the sink pipes to catch any water and dirt that might flow out.
- Then, remove the cleanout plug and washer and probe with the screwdriver to remove any objects or dirt that may cause the blockage.
- If that does not work, use a snake or drain auger instead. Rotate the drain auger frequently for best results.
- Once all the dirt is out, put the cleanout plug and washer back. Finally, run hot water through the pipe again to wash away any remaining residue.
How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain
Follow the steps above for opening a clogged drain and try hot water, the chemical drain opener and then the suction cup. For the latter, remember to plug the overflow outlet! If none of these methods work, remove the trap located under the tub – where exactly depends on the bathtub model and age. Remember to place a bucket under the trap first to catch water and residue.
Rusted or corroded parts can be loosened by applying penetrating oil and letting it set for a few minutes. Then, use a large wrench to remove it or hammer and punch if all fails. Once the trap is removed, check it and the pipes leading to it for any remains. After removing the blockage, reseal the drain and run hot water through the pipe again to wash away any remaining residue.
How to Unclog a Toilet Drain
Note that for clogged toilet drains, a regular suction cup plunger will rarely be forceful enough to do the job, so invest in or borrow a ball-type plunger (see picture below). Make sure there is sufficient water in the toilet bowl when using the plunger.
If the plunger cannot remove the blockage, try using a toilet auger. Cranking and pulling will usually remove any object or residue that’s stuck. A small toilet snake may also be helpful.
Nobody looks particularly forward to unclogging a drain but do it yourself plumbing jobs are not as tough as they look. Reading the step-by-step drain cleaning instructions above and gathering the required materials is a good start. Check with local hardware stores for additional information and then save time and money while single-handedly unclogging drains.
How about another home repair project? Learn more about Do It Yourself Cork Flooring.
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