Learn how to unclog a sink, fix shower and tub drains, identify a drain blockage you can fix yourself, and more.
Rebecca is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. bath caddy tray
The drains in your home, be it the kitchen sink or bathtub, can handle a lot. But over time, grease, hair, and other debris can build up and cause clogs. If you're currently dealing with this issue, don't call your plumber just yet. There are a few simple DIY techniques you can use to unclog the drains, from simple tools you can find at any hardware store to cleaning solutions you can make at home.
A bathtub or sink clog can usually be cleared with a small 15-foot manual hand snake, says Gene Cunningham, virtual plumbing expert for Frontdoor.
A plunger is an effective way to unclog a kitchen sink or bathtub drain. To make this method more effective, apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger cup to create a tighter seal, says Brian Shaunfield, store manager at Lowe’s.
One of the easiest ways to remedy minor clogs is with baking soda, distilled white vinegar, and hot water, says George Calabrese, owner of Calabrese Plumbing.
Make sure to evaluate your plumbing before using boiling water to unclog a drain, as it can damage porcelain sinks and PVC piping.
bathtub overflow drain pipe The main culprit of bathtub clogs is hair caught under the drain stopper, which can typically be extracted with needle nose pliers, says Calabrese. But if you take off the drain stopper and don't see a visible clog, it may have traveled into the pipes and one of the above methods may be necessary to remove it.