How to Unclog a Drain with Safe & Effective Tips

Clogged drains can be quite frustrating. The slowed-down drainage is just the start. If not handled in time, foul smell and backed-up water will turn the minor headache into a consistent migraine. If you have clogged drains, know that you are not alone. They are common hassles. Various reasons can cause them. You can’t predict them, but you can solve the issue and prevent future clogging.

Yes, we do have tips and tricks on how to unclog a drain. There’s more! Here we have a complete guide on the usual reasons that can cause a drain clog, the right ways to find and locate clogs, and how to avoid drain clogging in the future.

Why Do Drains Get Clogged?

Before figuring out how to clean a clogged drain, take a look at why drains get clogged. Drains in different parts of the house can be clogged for different reasons. For instance:

• Kitchen Drains: Typically, grease and oil, when poured in the drains, can cool and solidify, creating a clog. Food scraps, like coffee grounds, eggshells, pasta, and cuts and bits of vegetables, can also cause clogging.

• Bathroom Drains: One of the biggest reasons for bathroom drain clogs is hair. Add soap residue to that, and you have got yourself an unwanted clog. Also, hard water deposits can leave a residue in the pipes.

• Toilet Drains: Excessive toilet paper can overwhelm the system. Wipes, sanitary products, cotton pads, and dental floss don’t break down easily, which will have you searching for how to unclog a drain in no time.

• Laundry Drains: Buildups from detergent residue, lint, and oil can clog laundry drains. 

• External Causes: If tree roots get into the underground pipes, the entire system can be affected, and all the drains can become clogged.

How to Assess the Severity & Location of the Clog

The guide on how to unclog a drain starts with locating where exactly the clog is and how difficult the situation is. Here’s how you can figure that out:

Notice the Early Signs

If there is clogged drainage, these signs will give it away:

• Slow Drainage: The water will drain more slowly than usual.

• Foul Odor: The buildup in the pipes will start smelling.

• Gurgling Sound: The air trapped behind a deeper blockage will make a gurgling noise, and you will know it’s time to clean the drain pipes.

Check How Many Drains are Affected

Get a clear idea of the entire drain-clogging scenario. It can be in one place, and it can also be a bigger issue!

• One Clogged Drain: The clog is in a specific drain.

• Multiple Clogged Drains: It can point to a clogged drain deep in pipe, most probably in the main drain or sewer line.

• Gurgling Sound in Other Drains: It may be a sign that the clog of one drain is affecting overall drainage flow.

Look for Clues about the Location

The best way to clear a clogged drain depends largely on where the clog is.

• Test One Pipe at a Time: If only one drain is blocked, the clock might be in the trap, drainpipe, or immediate pipeline.

• When the Clog is Deeper: If using one drain causes other drains to make a gurgling noise or backup, the clog is way deeper.

• Multiple Drains Slowed Down: If different pipes around the house have slowed down, the clog might be closer to the mainline.

• Clogging in the Lower Drains First: If drains in the basement or ground floor start acting up first, the problem may be within the mainline.

DIY Methods to Unclog a Drain

How to unclog a drain yourself?

When you want to take a DIY approach to unclog a drain, you can try these methods. They are easy and can work effectively.

Remove Hair and Debris from Strainers and Stoppers

Sinks and tubs often have strainers and stoppers. As useful as they are, they can also be the culprit. They can trap hair, soap scum, and food residue. Remove the strainer or pop up the stopper,  clean them, and it can clear a blocked drain.

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Here’s how to unclog a drain with baking soda and vinegar:

• Get rid of any standing water using a bucket. 

• Then, gently sprinkle a cup of baking soda, making sure it covers the pipe properly. 

• Next, pour a cup of white vinegar slowly, so that it can mix with the baking soda well. 

• Leave it for 15 minutes, and then pour hot water. 

• Repeat it a few times to properly unclog drains.

Use a Plunger

Take a plunger and go at it! It creates pressure to loosen nearby clogging. 

Clean the P-Trap

If the clog seems to be in the P-trap, place a bucket under it, slowly remove the trap, and then clean it thoroughly. It will get the drain unclogged.

Dr Pooper Drain Cleaner

This is the easiest DIY way to clear clogged drain. Simply pour the powder, let it sit for a few minutes, and flush or rinse with warm water.

Mechanical Methods for Stubborn Clogs

If you need something stronger the the DIY methods for blocked drain cleaning, here are some options for you:

Drain Stick

Clearing a clogged drain can be quite easy with a drain stick. Simply insert the stick in the drain, twist gently to hook the clog, and pull it out.

Drain Snake or Flat Sewer Rod

It is basically a flexible metal cable that can easily reach the deeper clogs in the drains. Insert the rod into the drain and push it till it reaches the clog. Then twist and pull it to break down the clog.

Safety Precautions & Warnings while Unclogging a Drain

While you are learning how to clean a clogged drain, keep these safety tips and precautions in mind:

Use the Right Tool

“What can I use to unclog a drain?” In case you are wondering, drain sticks, drain snakes, a plunger, and such plumbing tools are the right ones. It’s best not to use coat hangers or random sticks.

Be Careful with Hot Water

Sometimes warm water is required for unclogging a drain, but make sure to handle it with care. Besides, stick to hot water and avoid boiling hot water, especially for PVC or older pipes, as the boiling water can get stuck with the clog and melt or damage the pipes.

Be Careful with Chemical Cleaners

Harsh chemical cleaners can end up causing damage to the pipes. They are definitely not a smart option for a kitchen drain clogged, as they can leave residue. Instead, use Dr Pooper Drain Cleaner. It has no harsh chemicals or pesticides.

Turn Off Power for Appliances

If the drain is connected to any appliances, like a washing machine, make sure to turn off the power to avoid electrical hazards.

Know When to Stop

Alongside knowing how to unclog a drain, know when to stop. If you keep pouring cleaners or keep pushing with tools when the clog is not going away at all, or the issue keeps coming back, know that a professional consultation is required.

Preventing Future Drain Clogs

Knowing how to unclog a drain can come in handy, but you should also know the dos and don’ts to prevent future drain clogs.

• Watch What Goes in: Avoid flushing wipes, cotton pads, hair, or thick paper.

• Use Strainers or Drain Covers: A simple mesh strainer can catch hair, food scraps, soap bits, and other debris so they don’t clog.

• Run Hot Water Regularly: Pour hot (not boiling) water down the drain to melt away grease, soap scum, and residue, especially after washing dishes or cleaning.

• Clean Drains with Gentle Home Remedies: Using safe methods like a baking soda and vinegar or Dr Pooper Drain Cleaner once a month can help keep buildup soft and easy to clear. 

• Fix Slow Drains Early: If water starts draining slowly, act quickly. Waiting allows the clog to grow thicker and harder to remove.

Conclusion

Nobody likes a slowed drain. If you see any sign, use the easy methods for blocked drain clearing. The right method depends on the type and location of the clog. Deeper clogs may require mechanical tools. Whenever you are trying to unclog the drain, always get rid of standing water with a bucket so that water doesn’t spill and you don’t make a mess around the drain.

You can always use Dr Pooper Drain Cleaner for easy drain unclogging. It is simple to use but works quite fast and effectively to break down buildup.

FAQs

1. What can you pour down a drain to unclog it?

The answer to what to pour down the drain to unclog it can be baking soda and vinegar. You will also need to heat water for this hack. An easier solution will be Dr Pooper Drain Cleaner.

2. How do you unblock a seriously blocked drain?

To get rid of those deep, stubborn drain clogs, you can use mechanical tools, like a plunger, drain stick, or drain snake. You can also try our drain cleaners.

3. What will dissolve hair in a clogged drain?

Drainer cleansers will loosen hair from soap residue and oil, and break down the clog. You can use a drain snake or a drain stick to manually remove hair clumps.

4. How can I unclog my main drain?

You can use a mechanical tool, like a heavy-duty plumbing snake or our bio-accelerator drain cleaner. If the issue persists, you can contact a professional.