Three Ways to Clear a Clogged Drain

Before reaching for the Draino or other strong chemicals, try clearing a clogged drain using one of these methods. While they won't clear every clog, most will be cleared by using these steps. Plus, if you do have to call a plumber, he'll thank you that he doesn't have to worry about avoiding chemicals already down the drain.

Step 1: Hair is a common material that clogs bathtub drains. Try removing the hair using a hooked wire coat hanger to grasp the hair and pull it out. Have a bag ready to discard any hair or other items that come up.

TIP: If you often find hair is a problem, or share a bathroom with several long haired people, consider buying a guard that will catch all of the hair before it enters the tub drain. These are available in many styles and both plastic and metal varieties. You should be able to purchase a basic model for a couple of dollars.

Step 2: Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then pour down a half cup of white vinegar. Quickly cover the drain with a rag and apply pressure to prevent the mixture from fizzing out of the drain. Place a heavy object over the rag and wait 15 minutes.

Step 3: Remove the rag, then pour a gallon of very hot water down the drain. This may clear the clog. If it doesn't, you can try the process once more. Don't repeat more than once, chances are it won't work if you can't clear the clog with a couple of tries.

Step 4: Try using a plunger to release the clog. If you can get some movement from the clog, you can use the baking soda and vinegar method to clear the clog the rest of the way.

Step 5: Use a manual pipe snake to snake the drain and remove the clog. While electric pipe snakes should be left to professional plumbers, a manual snake can help you clear the persistent clog. Follow the user manual that is sold with your pipe snake for usage notes.