All plumbing systems develop clogs—there’s simply no way to avoid it. However, most stopped-up sinks and plugged toilets can be fixed without calling in a plumber. What you need to complete the job on your own are the right tools and a little determination.

We’ll show you how to clear stubborn clogs in a kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet and floor drain. These proven techniques will dislodge virtually any clog. Remember, if you can’t clear a clog after a few attempts, turn the job over to a drain-cleaning service or licensed plumber. Exerting too much force can permanently damage a pipe or fixture.

The specialized plumbing tools used to combat clogs are affordable, and they’re available at any hardware store or home center; you can even rent some.

The first tool to reach for when trouble arises is a plunger ($5 to $10). This plumber’s friend clears clogs from most fixtures, including sinks, tubs and toilets. Every homeowner should keep one handy.

To dislodge clogs located farther down the drainpipe, use a cable auger, or plumber’s snake, a long, flexible steel cable wound around a spool that’s fitted with a hand crank. Cable augers are available in lengths up to 100 ft., though a 25-ft. model ($15 to $25) will suffice for most any household clog.

A closet auger ($15 to $40) is specifically made for snaking out toilets. It, too, is equipped with a hand crank, but instead of a spool, the cable is encased in a rigid shaft. The auger end is bent at a precise angle to fit through the tight curves of a toilet trap.

For a very large clog or one that’s far from the fixture, rent an electric power auger ($15 to $30 per day). This machine—basically a large cable auger powered by an electric motor—is very effective at cutting through virtually any clog, even tangled tree roots. Before bringing home a power auger, be sure the rental agent shows you how to safely dispense and retrieve the cable.

1. What kind of drain is clogged?
Is it a sink drain, a bathtub drain, a toilet clog? This will help you assess what measures need to be taken.

2. How do you think the drain became clogged?
The above answer can be very useful in figuring out what is causing your clogged drain. For example, a bathtub clog would most likely be some kind of hair clog. Finding out what is blocking the drain will be a great help in figuring out the unclogging method.

3. What’s the best way to unclog the drain?
Once you’ve found out the above information about your clogged drain you can figure out how to fix it. With toilets, a simple plunger may be all you need. For a hair clogged bathtub drain you may need to fork out some cash for a drain cleaning product. It all depends on the type of clog.

4. Applying the chosen unclogging method.
Always use caution while working to unclog a drain. Plungers may cause simple arm strain, while other chemical methods may be more dangerous if you come in contact with them. So be careful. Once you’ve tried your chosen method test the drain. If it works, great! If not, it’s back to the drawing board. Even if your drain is successfully unclogged you’re not done yet!

5. Preventing Future Clogged Drains!
Unless you want to be visiting this site again soon, it’s suggested that you employ clog prevention to your clogged drains to prevent future clogs. There are several prevention methods listed in the Prevent Clogged Drain section.

Always start with the plunger.
Why? Because its easy, cheap, and you usually have one around the house. Simply take the plunger and stick it onto the opening in the bottom of the toilet. Push down and up a couple of times then remove to see if the water goes down. If it does do an extra test flush to make sure everything is working.

Next try sticking a wire hanger down the clogged toilet.
If the plunger does not work the next easiest toilet unclogging method would be the wire hanger. Unravel the metal wire hanger making it as straight and long as possible. Go to the clogged toilet and stick the hanger down the toilet drain hole while still holding the hanger. Move it back and forth with the goal being to knock whatever is clogging the drain loose. If a drain is clogged a bit further than the plunger can get to, a wire hanger is a great tool.

Still Clogged? Some kind of chemical clogged drain remover
Their are many different chemical clog removers available on the market. Some big brands include Drano and Liquid Plumber. These can be easily found at your local grocery store. Just follow the directions on the bottle.

It’s time to call a professional plumber
This is always the last option you want to use for your clogged toilet, but sometimes a bad clog can make it necessary. Consult your local phone book and search for a plumber in your area. I suggest calling a couple of different to shop around a little. Some places may have better rates than others.

Hopefully by now you have got your clogged toilet fixed!
For ways to prevent another clogged toilet visit our Prevent Clogged Drains section.

Plungers aren’t only good for toilets.
A plunger is always a good starting point. Place plunger over the opening of the clogged bathtub drain and thrust downward. Repeat several times. Periodically check to see if the water is starting to go down the drain. A plunger can give a small clog just enough push to unclog the drain.

Check your drain type.
A plunger can be used on mostly any drain, but other options can not. You want the clogged drain as open as possible. Some drains have lid type things over them, remove them if possible.

The wire hanger method.
If you are lucky, you have a clogged drain that is open enough to get a thin wire hanger down. Take a wire hanger and stretch it out so it is like a snake. Push the wire hanger down your drain until it hits the clog. Move the hanger around and try to knock the clog loose. A wire hanger can reach clogs much further down than a plunger.

Liquid drain cleaners are the next option.
As most clogged bathtub drains are a result of a hair blockage, liquid drain cleaners are an excellent option. These chemicals are designed to eat away at clogs and break them down ultimately freeing up the clogged bathtub drain. These drain cleaners can be found in your local grocery store. Just follow the directions on the bottle.

Its time to call a professional plumber
This is always the last option you want to use for your clogged bathtub, but sometimes a bad clog can make it necessary. Consult your local phone book and search for a plumber in your area. I suggest calling a couple of different to shop around a little. Some places may have better rates than others.

Hopefully by now you have got your clogged bathtub fixed…
For ways to prevent another clogged bathtub visit our Prevent Clogged Drains section.

Check the top of the clogged sink drain.
Especially in a kitchen sink there is the potential for surface clogs. Always feel the drain with your hand and remove anything that may be inhibiting the water flow. Food often blocks the drain entrance resulting in a sink full of water.

Plunger is always first for a clogged sink.
When it comes to anything further than a surface clog of a sink drain, the plunger is always the first option. Place the plunger over the opening of the clogged sink drain and push down. Repeat several times then check to see if the water is starting to move. If you have a double sink, as in most kitchens, you will have to cover the other drain while you are plunging. A large pot can be placed botton down and held over the other drain, or even a hand can be used.

The wire hanger method.
Take a wire hanger and stretch it out so it is like a snake. Push the wire hanger down your drain until it hits the clog. Move the hanger around and try to knock the clog loose. A wire hanger can reach clogs much further down than a plunger.

Liquid drain cleaners are the next option.
Most clogged sink drains are due to a buildup of grease from pots and pans. These chemicals are designed to eat away at the grease and food in the drain and break them down ultimately freeing up the clogged sink drain. These drain cleaners can be found in your local grocery store. Just follow the directions on the bottle.

Its time to call a professional plumber
This is always the last option you want to use for your clogged sink, but sometimes a bad clog can make it necessary. Consult your local phonebook and search for a plumber in your area. I suggest calling a couple of different to shop around a little. Some places may have better rates than others.

Hopefully by now you have got your clogged sink drain fixed…
For ways to prevent another clogged sink visit our Prevent Clogged Drains section.

Place Strainer over Drain
Place some kind of strainer or cover over your drain that will still allow water to flow through while keeping anything bigger out of your drain. Items like these can be found at your local grocery or hardware store. Just ask around.

Do NOT pour anything that has sticking potential down your drain.
This includes cooking grease, butter, paint, and anything that can dry and stick to your drain. These are some of the main culprits causing clogged drains.

Pour boiling water down your drain.
Pouring a pot of boiling water down your drain can take out many things that could build up on your drain walls. Grease and other drain cloggers can be removed by some hot water. Once a month for the boiling water is enough to help prevent many clogged drains.

Baking Soda is a GOOD idea.
If boiling water isn’t enough to satisfy your clog preventing urges, you can also add some baking soda to the boiling water. This can further remove any time bombs that may be ticking on the walls of your drains

Now you know how to prevent clogged drains.
Even though you are now taking measures to prevent future clogged drains, sometimes they still happen. Fix-Clogged-Drains.com will be there for you when they do.