Unclog a Drain

I call the building guys. That's part of what we pay for. I unclogged plenty of drains in my days of maintaining and supervising buildings. Time to give the other guys a chance.

We have one of those ZipIt tools ~ love that darn thing!

Don't I WISH I had a garbage disposal but no such luck around this old house. Great advice though on unclogging a drain.

Preventative measures mostly.

I also use a toilet plunger for the bathtub as well. I prefer one just for that purpose and try not to get it mixed up with the one used for the toilet!

I've used hot water as a preventative, and when I don't have a snake thingy, a wire hanger can be used in a pinch. We've also used a toilet plunger on the bathtub.

These are great ways to unclog a drain - I will try them. Blessings to you!

A can of coca-cola does wonders for our bad drains.

I've seen some disgusting stuff come out of a drain!

get hubby to do it hehehe

This is a very interesting Lens. I hope my hubby would be convinced after reading this lens to unclog a drain himself. I paid people to do it because it's disgusting.

I used every possible thing I can but I never use chemical clog removers. I tried using snake sticks, hot water, lemon juice and baking soda those are my weapon of choice...

Thank you for the great tips!

After removing the drain plug, I'll dig out the gunk that has clogged the drain. I try to avoid using harsh chemicals because these stress the water treatment system.

Great advice; I didn't know about drain snakes before!

We have that little zip-it tool and it's pretty good. Usually I do the vinegar and baking soda to get some bubbling action going first. Hubby likes to trim his beard over the sink. Too much hair really clogs things up.

I've used that little plastic snake similar to the one in your photo.

I try a plunger and use chemicals...now I've got some new ideas, Thanks...Angel Blessings

Every way to be successful :)

Washing up liquid, followed by bicarbonate of soda, followed by household vinegar and finally flush with boiling water. Bubbles away nicely and usually works!

Try boiling water - if that doesn't work, well I have home maintenance. :)

Im a hvac guy but not a plumber and have used a gallo gun to clean a drain once. It uses a co2 cartridge though.

Just what I needed, I think I am going to try the baking soda method first, but thanks for all the info and reminding me I needed to get to that sink NOW!

I use baking soda and baking powder gang.

I use Coca Cola that has gone flat it does work somewhat and also have a type of stopper with filter in it that I empty out to help not to clog it up even more.

Okay, I've read the page, I know how to do this now, but we are going to keep it our secret 'cause I think I will let my hubby continue to do this yucky little job as long as possible. BUT, if ever he is too busy or away, I will know what to do:-)) *blessed* and congrats on being on the home page.

Having kids in the house pretty much every time the sink is clogged it because something was dropped down the drain. Then I either have to stick something down in there to pull it out or take the pipes apart.

I use vinegar and baking soda, an old trick I learned from my mother. When that doesn't do the trick I fall back in good Liquid Plumber.

I'm with the baking powder gang.

My preferred method is a combination of a snake tool and drain cleaner. I also use vinegar and baking soda for my kitchen drain.

sometimes I use just a punger if that doesn't work than I use other means

You can use a mixture of baking soda, salt and hot water that works great too.

Very useful info! Thanks for sharing - blessed by a SquidAngel!

I use products from the grocery store, but I would prefer not to have to use chemicals. However, usually I am not proactive, so it's too late...

I have a small three prong "grabber" tool that physically grabs items up to about half inch in diameter. Only works to the first trap because it is not flexible enough to bend around the corner. But also great for things dropped down a drain.

baking soda!

I don't have this problem any more. I use screens on all of my drains. I could have used this tool before though. Angel blessed!

I pour some chemical down the drain and hope it works,which is rare. I have a plastic tool that unclogs the drain but I am afraid it will break and I will have a piece of plastic to unclog along with he original clogs.

Pour baking soda down the drain, followed by white vinegar, let the reaction completely take effect, after it stops bubbling pour boiling water down the drain.

There is a device that you pump up and then release down the drain. Sorry I am not sure what it is called.

Well now, these are common sense chemical free solutions we all can use. I like your idea of actually getting the hair out of the drain (slowly) and get the job done right. I have a small long brush that has work for me and learned the same way you did about that spatter. Another tip for those that don't have garbage disposals would be to wipe grease and other food debris out of pans and dishes and don't get it in your drain in the first place. A regular schedule of treating drains is kind of like a stitch in time save nine.

Depending on how clogged it seems to be, we also have used the baking soda and vinegar solution in the past, but have bought a long flexible drain cleaner, that seems to work great as well.

I use the baking soda and vinegar to, I use it once a month for maintenance and I rarely have clogged drains.

I like the Zip-It tool, the Turbo-Snake "as seen on tv" with the velcro like stuff on it (these don't work well on my bathtub though), and the hot water, baking soda and vinegar method.