How To Unclog Bathroom Drains

Household drain systems remove wastewater from sinks, tubs, and showers, dumping it into your home's sewer or drainage system. 

A household drain system consists of the drain assembly at the sink, tub, shower, or floor and the pipes that conduct it out of the house. Most drains include a trap (a U-shaped pipe) below the fixture to trap sediment and to create a barrier that prevents drainage odors from traveling back up the pipe, through the drain, and into the room. Household drain systems also include a ventilation system to allow gases and odors to escape through a home's roof.

Clear a clogged (not stopped) bathtub with a plunger:

1. If you have a dishwasher, pinch off the rubber dishwasher drain hose that leads to the garbage disposer using a clamp or locking pliers. If clearing a bathtub, remove the drain stopper and cover the overflow opening with a wet rag.
2. Remove the sink basket or tub stopper and clean any debris from the drain opening.
3. Fill the sink or tub with sufficient water to cover the plunger cup, usually about 2 inches. If you are working on a double sink, seal the other sink with a stopper so the plunger can create a vacuum.
4. Set the plunger on the drain opening and repeatedly pump it up and down, then pull away sharply to dislodge debris. Repeat if necessary.
5. Turn on warm or hot water to flush loosened debris from the drain.
6. If the clog remains, use an auger (see below) or an expansion nozzle to clear the drain.

Clear a clog using an auger:

1. Remove the stopper or strainer. If unable to do so, disassemble the drain trap and feed the auger directly through the pipe. Make sure you have a pail and rags nearby in case of a water spill.
2. Release the setscrew on the auger and begin feeding the cable into the open drain.
3. Once the auger tip hits the clog, set the screw and crank the auger clockwise to break up the clog.
4. Continue breaking up the clog and moving it down the drain line with the auger. Once there is no more resistance to forward motion of the auger, stop and carefully remove the auger.
5. If the clog can't be moved, continue twisting the auger to possibly snag and retract the clog.

NOTE: If your drain remains clogged after these steps, do not use a caustic or acid based liquid or crystal drain cleaner. They can sometimes damage pipes, and will complicate matters further.

Call us and we will be happy to provide a free quote to open your drains. We have additional tools that help us to efficiently open any drain, which is a simple process unless there is damage to the pipe itself.