How To Unclog A Drain (PHOTOS)

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We don't have to tell you that sink, toilet and shower clogs are an inconvenience, especially if slow water drainage leaves obvious residue grime around the bowl or tub. But if left untreated, clogs can also lead to flooding, corroded pipes and unstable water pressure. Instead of calling an expensive plumber, you can usually take matters into your own hands. Click through the slideshow below to see the top seven ways to unclog a drain. These methods can be as easy as pouring boiling water or removing gunk with a clothes hanger. Just be prepared for the unsightly hair and slime buildup you might fish out.

Do you have other simple plumber-less drain unclogging tips? Let us know in the comments!


Baking Soda And Vinegar
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Yes, just like in fifth grade science class, mix 1/2-cup baking soda with 1/2-cup vinegar, and you'll get that volcano-fizzing effect. Immediately pour down the drain so the natural reaction can help dislodge any gunk and clogs. Turn on hot water to flush the mixture down the pipes.

Flickr photo by katerha
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10:50 PM on 02/17/2012
The best way to clear clogged drains is a product called the Drain Genie. This device fits on the end of a wet vacuum and pulls the clog into the vacuum tank. I have twin nine year olds who seem to always have a clogged sink in their bathroom. The Drain Genie cleared their drain in less than a minute and it stayed clear for about nine months. I found this product during a search on Amazon and decided to give it a try, worked great.
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ie
ugh.
10:08 AM on 02/17/2012
If you have Plastic pipes a cost hanger seems risky. ???
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MarcEdward
likes all cats more than most people
09:38 AM on 02/17/2012
As somebody who's raised three boys, I'd have loved a solution for when they flush HotWheel's cars down the toilet that doesn't involved REMOVING THE ENTIRE TOILET. That's a stinky job!
08:50 AM on 02/17/2012
For hair and soap gunk in the shower/bath drain? The Zip-It Clean....(no, not a paid employee, but it does work very well. If you have a weak stomach, careful...the nastiness that comes out of there is pure evil)
Just married mom and her three girls, and they all have hair down to their waist, including mom. Father-in-law gave it to me, said you'll need this.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
charlie v
05:00 AM on 02/17/2012
I have been using the baking soda and vinegar forever and it really works. The trick is as soon as you start to get a little bit of a problem to start using it right away or just use it 1 x per month. Then pour boiling hot water down the drain after letttng the baking soda and vinegar sit for 15 min.
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ramal
One's only real life is the life one never leads.
04:58 AM on 02/17/2012
Just never clog up a drain in the first place.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
edgeninja
Get your government hands out of my bedroom!
03:25 AM on 02/19/2012
That's like saying "don't get your floor dirty in the first place" so you never have to vacuum.
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ramal
One's only real life is the life one never leads.
08:22 AM on 02/19/2012
You have to walk on a floor, you don't have to pour materials down a drain that will most certainly clog it up.
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Quark50
The enemy's gate is down
02:08 AM on 02/17/2012
Was this meant for 8 year olds or something? Who hasn't figured this out already?
01:57 AM on 02/17/2012
The way I do it in a sink is to take off the trap and let the water drain into the bucket underneath. The clog almost always comes out with it.
12:34 AM on 02/17/2012
There is a product called Drain King. It is an inflatable thick rubber balloon that you put in the drain and attach to a garden hose using water pressure. Works great on most clogs and no chemicals. Also had a plumber that used to use Coca Cola syrup that was meant for soda machines. Said it would eat through anything but the pipes. Made me laugh.
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Metacarius
12:17 AM on 02/17/2012
Well... having been trained as a sewer and drain cleaner, water pressure is really good if it works. Knowing how to properly use a plunger is also really good (not as obvious as one might think). Detergent, baking soda/vinegar, and boiling water are not good ideas as they may only mitigate the problem temporarily and not solve it. Hanger and snakes are extremely bad ideas unless you know exactly what you're doing, but very good if you do, as you can damage the pipe or porcelain (in the case of a toilet) relatively easily. Never use acid or a drain cleaner or you'll really mess things up and when a pro comes in to fix the mess you made, they will charge you more for cleaning up a much harder job and health hazard. The best solution for sinks, baths and laundry/washer lines wasn't even listed. A cup of bleach once a month. The stuff costs a buck for a 1 gallon jug and the bleach will clear out any biological material and easily dilutes without much of a hazard. Unfortunately, for grease clogs, you pretty much just have to get a pro with a machine. No easy way out of that cause it'll just plug up again if you don't. And don't let somebody with a plumber snake fool you in to thinking the job is done. It's not.
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IBWatching
Better Living Through Liberalism
12:11 AM on 02/17/2012
A plunger should always be your first choice. Contrary to its name, you should try to use the plunger to suck debris out of the drain, collecting and disposing of it before it goes down. A little petroleum jelly around the rim of the cup makes for a better seal. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

And be kind to your plumber. Never use a chemical drain cleaner first if you think you may need his or her services.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
turboturd
I need help! And a pony!
12:11 AM on 02/17/2012
Is this huffpost?? then stop making me accept script sites for other areas of the internet to post a comment.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
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11:06 PM on 02/16/2012
your first choice should always be the plunger
because if you start pouring vinger and baking soda down there and it doesn't work, then you have just made the problem worse.
dannyconda
Micro-bio is empty, like my fridge.
10:20 PM on 02/16/2012
Remove the obstruction.
09:25 PM on 02/16/2012
Shop vac is best. Plunging forces the clog further down. Boiling water is good maintenance, as is baking soda and vinegar. The ZipIt is good (not advertising, folks). Snakes are last resort.
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ThePeoriaKid
We're All Bozos On This Bus..
12:06 AM on 02/17/2012
I agree.. my shop vac works like a charm on most any slow drain or clog.

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