When faced with a backed up drain, you might be tempted to reach for a liquid drain cleaner — but think twice before you resort to pouring chemicals down your sink! Liquid drain cleaners can damage your pipes, are hazardous to your health, and might not even work depending on the nature of the clog. Instead, here are some expert tips on effective, chemical-free ways to unblock your drains.
Plungers
While you might associate plungers with toilets, the standard cup plunger is also a great tool for unclogging sinks. If the idea of using your toilet plunger on a sink or shower isn’t appealing, you can always purchase a second plunger specifically to use for non-toilet pipes. It’s a good investment.
To plunge a sink, empty out most (but not all) of the standing water to prevent splashing as you work. If you’re plunging a double-bowel kitchen sink, stuff a wet rag into one drain while you plunge the other. For bathtubs or single bowel sinks, seal the overflow hole with a wet cloth. This will help drive air pressure directly to the clog. Cover the drain opening with the plunger, making sure it seals, and rapidly pump the plunger up and down in 15-20 second intervals before quickly pulling it off of the drain opening. Repeat a couple of times. If this fails to break up the clog, move up to using a drain snake.
Drain Snake
A basic drain snake (also known as an auger) is always a good addition to your toolbox and relatively inexpensive versions are available at most department stores. To use, push the snake through the pipe until you encounter resistance then start twisting it to break up the block. If you don’t have the time to purchase a drain snake you can also fashion a rough approximation using a wire hanger. This is generally enough if the problem is a ball of hair that’s stuck close to the mouth of the sink. If possible, try to pull debris out of the pipe and dispose of it in the trash. This will help ensure that it doesn’t cause another blockage further down the line.