A homeowner guide from Drain Edge Rooter, a licensed plumbing company in Rialto, CA (C-36 #1078977). Open 24/7, call anytime: (909) 927-3194.
A slow or clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing problems in any home. Most clogs in a single sink, tub or shower can be cleared without pouring harsh chemicals down the pipe. Chemical drain cleaners can damage older pipes, are dangerous to splash on skin or eyes, and make the job harder and riskier if a plumber has to open the line afterward.
Before you start
Figure out how many drains are slow. One slow fixture usually means a local clog in that fixture’s trap or branch line. Several slow fixtures at once, especially a toilet, tub and floor drain on the lowest level, can point to a main line problem. If that is the case, skip the steps below and read our guide on main line backups.
Gather a few basics: rubber gloves, a flashlight, a bucket, old towels, a cup plunger for sinks and tubs, a flange plunger for toilets, and an inexpensive plastic drain-cleaning strip or a small hand auger.
Step 1: Clean the stopper and the top of the drain
Many bathroom sink and tub clogs are just hair and soap wrapped around the stopper. Remove the pop-up stopper (most lift out or unscrew; some release from a nut on the pivot rod under the sink), clean it, and pull out anything you can reach with a plastic strip.
Step 2: Hot water and dish soap
For a kitchen sink slowed by grease, squirt a good amount of dish soap into the drain, then follow it with very hot tap water or hot (not boiling) water from a kettle. Avoid pouring boiling water into PVC or into a toilet bowl, because it can soften plastic joints or crack porcelain.
Step 3: Plunge the right way
Use a cup plunger on sinks and tubs. Fill the fixture with a couple of inches of water so the plunger seals, and block the overflow opening with a wet rag so the pressure goes down the pipe instead of out the overflow. On a double kitchen sink, plug the other side. Give 15 to 20 firm, straight plunges, then pull up sharply and see if the water drains.
Step 4: Clean the P-trap
If plunging does not help, the clog is often in the U-shaped trap under the sink. Put a bucket underneath, loosen the two slip nuts by hand, and remove the trap. Clean it out, check the short pipe going into the wall, and reinstall it hand-tight plus a small turn. Run water and check for drips.
Step 5: Use a hand auger
A small drum auger (snake) can reach clogs a few feet into the wall. Feed the cable in slowly, turn the handle when you feel resistance, and work it back and forth. Pull it back out carefully and clean the cable. Go gently; forcing a cable can damage older, thin pipe.
What about baking soda and vinegar?
Baking soda and vinegar fizz, which can loosen light buildup near the top of a drain, but they rarely clear a real clog. Use them for maintenance if you like, followed by hot water, but do not count on them for a stubborn blockage.
Prevent the next clog
- Use hair catchers in tubs and showers.
- Wipe grease and food scraps into the trash before rinsing dishes.
- Never put wipes, paper towels or feminine products in a toilet, even if the package says flushable.
- Run plenty of water after using the garbage disposal.
Quick checklist
- Check whether one fixture or several are slow.
- Pull and clean the stopper.
- Try hot water and dish soap on kitchen grease.
- Plunge with the overflow or second basin sealed.
- Clean the P-trap with a bucket underneath.
- Use a small hand auger gently.
- Stop and call a plumber if sewage appears in another fixture.
Write down what you tried and what happened. If you do call a plumber, that information helps them figure out where the clog is and what tool to use first.
When to call a pro
Call a plumber if more than one fixture is slow, if water comes up in a tub or shower when you flush a toilet or run the washer, if the same drain clogs again within weeks, or if you smell sewage. Those are signs of a problem further down the line. Older Inland Empire homes often have cast iron or clay drain lines, which can collect scale and roots that a hand tool cannot clear. A plumber can clean the line properly and use a sewer camera to see what is actually causing the clog.
Related services and areas
Related services: Drain Cleaning, Hydro Jetting, Sewer Camera Inspection. We serve the whole Inland Empire, including plumber in Rialto, plumber in Fontana, plumber in Colton, plumber in Upland. See all homeowner plumbing guides.
How to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals: FAQ
Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaner?
It is not recommended. Chemical cleaners can damage older pipes, are hazardous to handle, and create a safety risk for anyone who opens the line afterward.
Why does my drain keep clogging?
Repeated clogs usually mean buildup further down the pipe, a pipe defect such as a sag or root intrusion, or a main line problem. A camera inspection shows the cause.
Can I plunge a drain with a garbage disposal?
Yes. Turn the disposal off at the switch first, plug the other side of the sink, and plunge the side that is clogged.
When is a clog an emergency?
If sewage is backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain, stop using water and call a plumber. Drain Edge Rooter is open 24/7, so call anytime.
Need help?
Drain Edge Rooter is open 24/7, so call anytime at (909) 927-3194. We will talk through the problem and give you a straight answer on timing.