Clogged drain: what to try first, and what to avoid

One drain or many?

This is the most useful question. A single slow sink or tub usually means a clog near that fixture. Several drains backing up at once – especially the lowest ones, like a basement floor drain or a ground-floor shower – points to the main sewer line. Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services notes that clogged sewer pipes can send raw sewage back into homes. That is a job for a plumber, not a plunger.

1. The stopper and strainer

Bathroom sinks and tubs often clog right at the stopper, where hair collects. Pull the stopper out (many lift straight up or unscrew) and clean it. For a kitchen sink, empty the strainer basket.

2. Plunge it

Use a cup-shaped plunger for sinks and tubs and a flange plunger for toilets. Cover the overflow opening with a wet cloth so the plunger can build pressure, keep some water in the basin, and plunge firmly a dozen times. If you have a double kitchen sink, block the other side.

3. A hand snake

A small hand-crank drain snake reaches clogs a few feet down. Feed it in, turn it until you feel the clog, then pull back. Plastic barbed strips work well for hair in bathroom drains.

If you use a chemical drain cleaner

According to Poison Control, chemical drain cleaners usually contain strong acids or strong alkalis such as sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide, and they can burn skin on contact. Poison Control advises goggles and rubber gloves, and pouring carefully and close to the drain – drain cleaner can splash back, especially when poured from too high or into a fully blocked drain.

• Never mix products. The Washington State Department of Health warns that bleach reacts with drain cleaners and acids; bleach mixed with an acid gives off chlorine gas.
• Tell the plumber if you have already used a drain cleaner, so they can protect themselves.
• If it gets on skin or in the eyes, MedlinePlus advises flushing with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. For any exposure, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

A jammed garbage disposal

InSinkErator is blunt: never put your hand inside a garbage disposal. If the motor hums or stops, its overload protector may have tripped – the red reset button on the bottom drops down about a quarter inch, and pressing it gently resets it. Turn the switch off first. If it trips again, the disposal is jammed or failing.

Keeping drains clear

• Grease goes in the trash. Portland says fats, oils and grease do not break down in water and stick to pipes; pour cooking grease into a can, let it harden and throw it away.
• Go easy on the disposal. Small food bits stick to grease in pipes and add to buildup.
• Only flush pee, poop and toilet paper. Portland warns that wipes sold as “flushable” are not truly flushable and can clog pipes and sewers.
• Use hair catchers in showers and tubs.

When to call a plumber

• Two or more drains are slow or back up at the same time.
• Water or sewage comes up in a tub, shower or floor drain when you run water elsewhere or flush.
• Gurgling from drains or toilets, or a sewage smell.
• The clog comes back again and again.
• You have used a chemical cleaner and the drain is still full of it.

A plumber may use a powered drain machine, hydro jetting or a sewer camera inspection to find and clear the blockage.