Tips For Unclogging Drains

Request: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I am looking for a good home remedy for unclogging a drain.

By KNIGHTSY47 from San Diego, CA

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RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I use ZipIt, I bought it at Home Depot. It looks like a plastic strip with teeth on the sides. You just shove it down the drain, then pull it back out. Do that a few times and the ZipIt will pull the gunk up out of the drain, will break up the remaining gunk and push some out of the trap so it can be flushed down the drain. Then just run some water to flush out the drain.

I use ZipIt every couple of months even if the drains aren't clogged to keep them free-flowing. (05/08/2009)

By Anonymous

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

Just pour 1 cup of bleach down the drain and follow with a few minutes of HOT water. This works every time! (05/09/2009)

By deb1018

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I've never tried it, but there are lots of sites on the Internet that say this process, using vinegar and baking soda, works great:

http://www.howdini.com/howdini-video-6706989.html (05/09/2009)

By clintonnichols

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I went to that website that someone mentioned. I was not impressed. I've cleared a number of drains with baking soda and vinegar, no hot water. I used about 1 cup of baking soda, poured as much as I could down the drain then added the rest, poured enough white vinegar to get the baking soda down the drain and listened till is sounded like it was far down, pour the vinegar slowly. Wait till there is no more fizz and rinse. It has always worked. (05/16/2009)

By c t

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

Vinegar and baking soda will unclog drains. Works like a charm! (05/16/2009)

By Bama_Jypsy1

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

Do not put bleach down your drains or in your toilet very often. It can eat the sides of the septic tank. This comes from the person who goes around to daycares and restaurants and checks sanitation. Once in awhile will not hurt but do not do it every day. I think 1 cup is way to much to use. (05/19/2009)

By Teresa Kay

Request: Tips For Unclogging Drains

How do I clear a clogged drain? The pipe is very old and Liquid Plumber does not work at all.

Elaine from Taylorsville, UT

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RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

What kind of drain is it, what kind of plumbing do you have, and what do you suspect the clog is constituted of?

Iron drain plumbing can get blocked with corrosion and/or scale from hard water. The rough surface will then gather hair, bits of paper, and other gunk. The only permanent cure for that is to replace the pipe (using plastic if the local plumbing code allows).

If the problem is a sink or basin and you can easily disassemble the drain pop-up and trap and check for blockage, do so. Hair and dental floss can get hung up on pop-up drain mechanisms. Dig it out with a long screwdriver, table knife, etc.

When using a plunger on a sink or tub drain, the most clog busting power is obtained not by pushing but by pulling. Don't use a plunger if there are still drain chemicals in the drain -- it could splash back into your face and eyes. Block any other air entrance into the plumbing (e.g. drain overflow, or the other side of a dual sink) while using the plunger.

Toilets don't lend themselves to "pull" plunging, but you can get snouted plungers that will facilitate significant water force into the toilet. Again don't plunge if there are still drain chemicals in the drain. (03/19/2009)

By Red Neck

Request: Tips For Unclogging Drains

How do you unstop a drain?

Vivian from Atlanta, GA

Answers:

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

Using dish washing soap, as suggested by Harper, also works in a stopped up toilet. I didn't use the hot water. Was concerned about cracking the toilet and there are wax seals to consider. I let it set for a couple of hours and it unplugged it. (11/12/2008)

By k zorman

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I use bleach for keeping the drains from clogging. I've never had one clog up. (11/15/2008)

By Ernie H.

Request: Tips For Unclogging Drains

How do I clear a stopped up drain?

Harper

Answers:

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

My mother just told me a great tip she got from her plumber who was retiring. Pour about a half cup of dish washing detergent (he recommended Dawn, but I used another brand) down your drain, then run very hot water for a few minutes. I was amazed, I live in an apt. where drains regularly plug up, it unplugged them all, amazing. So simple and inexpensive compared to Drano type products that never worked. I used this on slow draining sinks, not sure it would work on completely plugged drains. Plumber said it is grease and hair that plugs drains and this cleans it out! (10/29/2008)

By sharpy

Request: Tips For Unclogging Drains

Does anyone know how to clean up the clogged drain in the kitchen and laundry room without calling Roto Rooters?

Yuliya from Minneapolis, MN

Answers:

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

Prevention is the number one thing that I use for keeping my drains clear. If someone in my house manages to get a drain stopped up, then I use a plunger first. If that doesn't work, then I dump some baking soda down the drain, followed by vinegar. This creates a wonderful fizzing reaction, that usually does the trick. Flush with clear water afterward. If you STILL have a problem, you could try a snake, or disconnect the pipes, and see if you can find the clog. Good luck. (09/22/2008)

By heaven4441

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I've just recently tried the vinegar & baking soda method and had much success. Give it a try. (09/23/2008)

By Alexander D

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

If it is a slow drain, not one that's completely clogged, my plumber told me to try plain old bleach. It worked like magic in my bathtub! He told me he uses the lemon-scented kind in his own house because of the smell and it will not hurt your pipes, regardless of whether you have an older or newer home. He even dumps it down all the drains every other month or so as preventive maintenance. He said it's cheaper and works just as good as the name-brand stuff. (09/24/2008)

By youngster8

RE: Tips For Unclogging Drains

I received a DrainStick (www.drainstick.com) as a gift last year. I haven't had a clogged or slow drain since. Hope this helps! -Matt (09/30/2008)

By Matt