by Joe Brooks

Created on: February 27, 2010

Drain clogs happen in the best-managed households. Therefore it is a good thing to know the best ways to unclog a drain. It is also a good idea to know and practice good prevention methods, so that the clog never forms in the first place. Most drain clogs can be cleared by the home owner or resident, without intervention by a professional plumber.

It is good to have a few tools available for drain clog intervention. The basic minimum would be a plunger, two plungers really, one for the sinks and one for the toilets. They are different types, you know. The flat surfaced one is for the sink, and the flange type is for the toilet. Optionally, for more stubborn clogs, you may wish to have a plumber's auger, known as a snake, available. Those can be bought at home supply stores for quite reasonable prices. Other supplies good to have include home remedies like baking soda and vinegar, and commercial drain cleaners if you choose to use them. Hot water can be a big help, as well.

Different drains require different clearing techniques. The sink drain will likely have an accessible bend under it, which can be removed to allow an auger to be inserted. A bathtub or shower drain may well have no easy access except the drain hole itself. Of course, different drains will clog problems, food and kitchen waste in one, maybe hair in another. When it comes to the toilet, well, who knows what's been put in there?

You may wish to try first with the plunger. It is good to remember that you are trying to dislodge a clog, not really to force it through. A rocking, back-and-forth motion is most likely to bring success. Be sure you use the right plunger, sink or toilet type, as required.

Perhaps you will succeed with home drain cleaning methods. If the clog is not too bad, hot water may do the trick. You can try baking soda and vinegar, followed by hot water. That won't hurt anything and may do the trick. You may user commercial drain clearing products, but remember those are toxic and dangerous. Be careful to follow all warnings and directions for use. Follow with lots of water if the drain opens.

If you can get to enough of an opening, perhaps by entering the bend under the sink, you may try the auger method. The idea there is to get the snake to the clog, turn it to "grab" the offending material, and pull it back out of the drain. Gross, yes, but effective.

To prevent clogs, you can be careful in the kitchen. Compost vegetable peelings, or dispose of them in the garbage. Be very careful of grease down the sink. The combination of grease with fiber from vegetable peelings is a major clog producer. In the bathtub or shower, you can use a hair catcher over the drain. Those cost little and can prevent a major clog.

Prevention helps,and the home unclogging techniques usually work. But sometimes you need help. If you get all the way to the auger stage and haven't got the drain flowing, it's time to make the call. Call your local plumbing contractor, and get the job done. The satisfaction of a good flush and drain will be worth the price.

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