Clogs can occur with any drain, when you have a lack of know-how or tool, unclogging your drain isn’t always the easiest task. To unclog drain, be it in a sink, shower, or tub, you can either call a plumber or fix it yourself. But you don’t always need a professional. Here are some unique ways you can break up a partial clog and get the water to drain normally again.
How to Unclog a Drain
1. Clean Out the Sink Stopper
The stopper allows you to quickly plug the sink drain. It also catches soap, hair, and any debris you wash down until the mixture turns into a gooey ball. The sink stopper is essentially a long metal tail that extends into the pipe. Fortunately, it can be unscrewed from a newer sink. Older models usually include a small tether, which must be released by turning a nut attached to the pipe and squeezing the clip to release the rod. Now you can lift the stopper out and clean it with a paper towel or rag.
2. Remove the Debris Manually
Debris can sometimes accumulate deeper in the drain. If cleaning the stopper didn’t help, try to fish out any trapped material with a hair clog tool. This flexible plastic device has a long stem and handle to hold it and small barbs on one end for grabbing onto hair and other debris. Insert the tool after removing the stopper and wiggle and lift it frequently. Continue until no more foreign material comes up.
Unclog Sink Drain with a Plunger
For best results, you’ll want to use a cup-shaped sink plunger rather than a toilet plunger.
- Cover the overflow hole with a rag and fill the basin enough so the cup is submerged.
- Plunge up and down quickly, using short movements, to force air into the drain.
The clog should dislodge, but if this doesn’t work, you can also try snaking the drain.
Drain augers are three to 25 feet long and have a spiral catch on one end. This helps dislodge stubborn clogs that are out of reach of other tools.
Try Using a Drain Auger
Using a drain auger for the first time can be tricky.
- Remove the stopper, and then insert the tip of the snake into the drain.
- Retract it to remove any debris.
- Repeat these steps until water is draining again.
If you feel a blockage, crank the handle and wiggle the tool gently. It should eventually have more give at which point you can remove the tool and any material it has captured. Run the hot water to flush the drain.
3. Melt the Blockage Carefully
We’ve all heard the homemade remedy of baking soda and vinegar. This can be an effective solution, but first you need to be aware of some of the risks. If using boiling water, exercise extreme care as it can cause severe burns and even damage fragile fixtures and components, while baking soda can damage cast iron pipe. And if you’ve previously used a chemical drain cleaner, baking soda and boiling water can cause it to back up, potentially causing injury.
Unclog Drain with Salt and Baking Soda
- Pour a half-cup of baking soda into the drain.
- Add a half-cup of white vinegar and a chemical reaction will cause the mixture to fizz and bubble. If it starts to bubble out of the drain, block it with a small rag.
- Boil a kettle full of water and, after 15 minutes, pour it down the drain.
- Run the hot water tap for a few minutes.
Call The AC Hero
If these unique ways to unclog your drain haven’t worked, the issue likely needs the attention of a plumbing professional. The AC Hero is available 24/7 for emergencies and offers fast, reliable drain cleaning. Our trained team employs the latest technologies, including hydrojetting, to get clogged kitchen and bathroom drains working again. Schedule your appointment online or call 817-587-0634 today so we can resolve any persistent drain issues.
