How To Unclog Any Drain

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 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

1. Verify there’s enough water in the bowl to cover the plunger head.
2. Place the plunger over the drain opening, creating a seal.
3. Push down gently to expel air, then pull up sharply.
4. 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:

1. Insert the auger into the toilet bowl, with the curved end pointing towards the drain.
2. Crank the handle to feed the cable into the drain.
3. When you feel resistance, continue cranking to break up the clog.
4. 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

1. Remove the sink stopper if present.
2. Cover the overflow hole with a wet cloth to create a better seal.
3. Fill the sink with a few inches of water.
4. 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:

1. Remove the P-trap under the sink if accessible.
2. Insert the snake into the drain pipe.
3. Turn the handle to feed the snake into the pipe until you feel resistance.
4. Rotate the snake to break up the clog.
5. 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

1. Unscrew and remove the overflow plate.
2. Insert the drain snake through the overflow opening.
3. Feed the snake down and through the P-trap.
4. 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

1. Locate the main cleanout plug — usually in the basement or outside the house.
2. Remove the plug and insert the power auger cable.
3. Turn on the auger and feed the cable into the pipe.
4. Work the cable back and forth when you encounter resistance to break up the clog.
5. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Best Multi-Drain Cleaner

Courtesy Amazon

Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner

• $8.57
• $9.59
• 11% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This drain cleaner clears clogs in nearly any drain around your house in just 15 minutes. Effective for sinks and tubs as well as PVC, metal pipes, septic tanks, and garbage disposals, this drain cleaner is a must-have for any homeowner.

• $8.57 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ 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

• Comes in an 80-ounce bottle
• Has a gel consistency
• Works in showers, tubs, sinks, metal pipes, septic tanks, garbage disposals, and more

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said that this drain cleaner removed large buildups in multiple drains around their homes. However, some customers said that the company didn’t always honor its money-back guarantee.

Best For Hair Clogs

Courtesy Amazon

FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner

• $19.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

With 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.

• $19.99 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ 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

• 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

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who left positive reviews for this cleaner said that it removed large amounts of hair that other cleaners couldn’t handle. Others also liked that it worked quickly. However, dissatisfied reviewers said that it pushed some of the hair further down the drain and that it wasn’t sturdy enough to maneuver through tough clogs.

Most Versatile Cleaner

Courtesy Amazon

Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner

• $7.93

Prices taken at time of publishing.

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.

• $7.93 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ 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

• 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

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who were happy with this product said that it was easy to use and worked on several types of drains. However, those who left negative reviews said that it didn’t work well with bends and that the advertised lengths of the snakes weren’t accurate.

Best Single-Use Cleaner

Courtesy Amazon

Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover

• $21.98
• $24.99
• 12% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

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.

• $21.98 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ 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

• 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

What Customers Are Saying

Satisfied customers said that this drain cleaner worked well for its affordable price, especially considering how effective it was with large blockages. However, other customers said that it left an odor in the air or stains on their appliances.

Best For Septic Tanks

Courtesy Amazon

Xion Lab Safer, Greener Drain Clog Remover

• $21.49

Prices taken at time of publishing.

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.

• $21.49 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ 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

• 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

What Customers Are Saying

Among the positive reviews, customers pointed out this cleaner’s ease of use, affordability, and effectiveness. Negative reviews said that it was very slow to work and that it wasn’t as effective in tub drains.

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.

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.