How to Clear a Clogged Drain

shower drain clogged

Dealing with a clogged drain is never fun. It can be quite a hassle because of the mess it leaves behind and the disruption it causes to your day. In some cases, you can fix the problem on your own. For this reason, it’s good for homeowners to know the basics of unclogging a drain. In other cases, however, the problem might be too challenging for you to deal with on your own. And this is when you need to enlist the services of a professional plumber. The plumbing professionals at WaterGuard Plumbing have created this informative guide outlining how to prevent clogged drains, common causes and signs, and what to do when faced with one.

What Causes a Clogged Drain?

There are several potential culprits when it comes to a clogged shower drain or a clogged bathroom sink. While hair and dirt are two common causes of clogged drains, anything large enough can clog a drain. Soap doesn’t usually create a drainage problem; however, it can mix with hair and form a mass that blocks the drain. Keep in mind that clogged drains are bound to happen from time to time, so don’t be alarmed when this occurs.

Over time, pieces of hair and debris build-up and can become large enough to obstruct the flow of water down the drain. Clogged toilets, on the other hand, are often the immediate result of the toilet paper, cat litter or wrong items being flushed down. Most commonly, your drains will get clogged if you dispose any of the following things into your drain:

  • Toxic Chemicals – Toxic chemicals can not only be harmful to the environment but have the ability to eat away at your pipes. Paint, nail polish, nail polish remover and cleaning products are all items that have the ability to be harmful to your pipes. Do your research and find specialized recycling facilities that can dispose of these items for you.
  • Oils and Grease – Disposing of oil and grease down kitchen sinks is a common way for drains to get clogged. Over time, oil and grease will build up and eventually lead to a plumbing catastrophe. Fats from cooking food should never be disposed of in your kitchen sink. Instead, you should wait for the fats and oils to harden before you wash your dirty pots, pans, and dishes. Then you can easily scrape them off with a paper towel and put them in your green bin. You can also discard cooking oils at your local drop-off location.
  • Food – It’s easy to be lazy and rinse your dinner plates allowing excess food to make its way down your drain, but this could just be the start of many problems down the road. It’s important to make sure any excess food is going in your green bin and not into your pipes. Doing so will prevent your drain line from clogging in the future.
  • Hair & Fur – It’s easy to allow hair and fur to slip down the shower drain, but there are things you can do to prevent this from happening. Getting a drain stopper to collect the hair can help prevent your drains from clogging. Moreover, during the warm months, you can bathe your furry friends outside. A clogged drain could be a symptom of a larger problem with your water line. This is when you need an experienced team who knows just what to look for. As a result, you will be able to get to the root of the problem effectively.
  • “Flushable” wipes – Flushable wipes can be a detriment to clogging up your wastewater system. Thick toilet paper, light cardboard, facial tissue, paper towels, and other paper products are simply not made to be flushed down the toilet because they do not break up. 
  • Feminine hygiene – Feminine hygiene products have a tremendous capacity to clog because they contain cotton and other fibers, and they do not biodegrade. Even when tampon applicators and pad wrappers claim to be “flushable”, usually they are not.
  • Tree roots – Tree roots are among the leading cause of drain blockages and clogs in water and sewer mains. If you live in an area with many trees nearby, lookout for any tree root invasion by listening for a gurgling sound coming from your sewer or water lines.
  • Pipe scale – Pipe scale will grow and build to an obstructive size creating a clog or blockage after the mineral deposits left behind from water collect in one spot.
  • Cat litter – All cat litter is made of clay-based material that – when wet and dry enough times – can harden like concrete. Litter pieces increase the chances of a clogged drain line because they are sharp and can easily catch on other things.
  • Disintegration – Pipe disintegration can happen from aging concrete, clay, or terra cotta pipes. If pipes freeze in the winter, they can also shift under the continuous pressure. 
  • Undersized sewer pipes – The number of water-using units, such as sinks, toilets, and bathtubs, determine the appropriate size of sewer piping needed. The main drain of a home should be minimum four inches in diameter, however, based on household needs and usage, a larger one may be necessary. 
  • Nature – Rocks, leaves, dirt, sticks, and even rodents can work their way into sewer or water lines and create blockages underground that are difficult to detect. Plants, soil, and roots will invade, build and end in blockage if they sense any breach in your plumbing pipes.
  • Objects – Objects such as jewelry, bar soap, dental floss, children’s toys, and food can become lodged in the drain and clog your pipes. Only human waste, water, and degradable toilet paper should go down your drain.
  • Overload – Even a properly sized sewer main can overload. The drain field and other workings of a septic system can fail to drain when overwhelmed. This can produce backups and/or bad smells.
  • Leaks – Leaks can damage sewer and main drains because leaking water can cause the pipe to drop, sag, or otherwise change position. The pipe can then displace and may even break.

A clogged drain could be a symptom of a larger problem with your water line. This is when you need an experienced team who knows just what to look for. As a result, you will be able to get to the root of the problem effectively.

Symptoms of a Clogged Drain

Sometimes signs of a clogged drain are fairly easy to detect. Other times, they aren’t as obvious. Look for the following symptoms:

  • Pooling or slow-moving water down the sink or bathtub drain
  • Water backing up out of a drain
  • A foul smell coming from the drain
  • Water pooling on the bathroom floor or under the kitchen sink
  • Gurgling or sucking sounds coming from your pipes and drains
  • A backed-up toilet that will not flush

Although these signs are mostly superficial and easy to manage, they could be symptomatic of bigger issues. The only way to trace the cause of the issue is to have a professional residential and commercial plumber inspect your property. Often, there might actually be a need to repair a drain line, clean it, or even replace it altogether.

Types of Drains That Can Become Clogged

Clogged drains can appear suddenly, and if not dealt with quickly, it can escalate into a property-wide issue that is both costly and damaging. It’s important to know the types of drains that can become clogged so you can handle your specific plumbing situation correctly.

  • Shower Drain – Hair and soap tend to build up in the trap and drainpipe. If you’re taking a shower and you see standing water in the stall or tub, then your shower drain is most likely clogged. The water should be carried away almost instantly with properly functioning drains.
  • Toilet Bowl/Drain – Flushing too much toilet paper at once as well as large amounts of waste are common causes of clogged toilet drains. This excess waste interferes with the toilet bowl and affects the drainage process.  
  • Sink Drain – Whether it’s in the bathroom or kitchen, every sink drain is integrated with the rest of the plumbing system using smaller pipes that run under the sinks themselves. Bathroom sinks can clog because of hair, toothpaste, soap, and grime buildup while kitchen sinks are most often clogged by loose food scraps.
  • Main Sewer Line – The main sewer line runs underground, so tree roots that penetrate pipe joints from the surrounding soil can cause your drains to clog. And since all other household drains lead to the main sewer line, debris that you wash into them can lead to toilets and drain blockages throughout your house.
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How to Fix a Clogged Drain

There are some preventative measures you can take to stay ahead of drainage problems, like using a screen over your drain. This will often catch hair and other items and stop them from going down the drain and causing a problem.

Depending on the cause of your drainage problem, you may be able to unclog the drain on your own without needing professional plumbing services.

The first step you should take is to clear the drain by using a bent wire or something that can hook the hair and pull it out. If this is not effective, try using a plunger.

How to Unclog Your Drain

  1. Use bent wire

    The first step you should take is to clear the drain by using a bent wire or something that can hook the hair and pull it out.

  2. Use hot water

    Pouring boiling water down the drain has been proven effective in dissolving whatever is blocking it. Be careful with using this method on ceramic sinks or toilets as the temperature difference may cause a crack in ceramics.

  3. Add soda and vinegar

    For a more stubborn clog, try pouring a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. Leave the mixture for a few hours, then use boiling water to rinse out the drain. Be careful with using strong acid based drain cleaners as they may damage your pipes and lead to costly repairs.

  4. Use a plunger

    If previous steps are not effective, try using a plunger. Plunging a drain or your toilet creates enough pressure to help clear the clogging.

  5. Try a plumbing snake

    Simply unwrap the cable and insert the head of the plumbing snake into your drain opening. As you go down, gently twist with the handle to remove debris stuck to the sides of the pipe wall. 

  6. Disconnect P-Trap

    Located under your sink, you will find a curved piece of piping. This is your drain’s P-Trap. Carefully remove it, clean it, and reattach the trap to remove the debris in your pipe. Your drain should begin working properly again.

Here is how to plunge your drain:

  • Allow the water to fill the sink, toilet or bathtub partially
  • If the blockage is in the double sink, use a rag to stop the train.
  • If you are dealing with a sink in a bathroom, a towel should be used to cover/stop the overflow hole.
  • If the blocked drain is in the shower, duct tape or a rag should be used to stop the overflow plate.
  • Next, use a plunger to try to unclog the drain. You will need to make quick, rapid movements several times.
  • You will need to use a cup plunger specifically for sinks, and flange plunger if you are dealing with a blocked toilet.
  • Remove the plunger quickly to see if the water goes down the drain quickly.
  • Repeat as necessary.

Keep in mind that using chemical drain cleaners is not advised because they contain harsh ingredients that are corrosive. Over time, the damage may call for drain line repair or drain line replacement sooner than necessary.

How to Prevent a Clogged Drain

We know how important it is to keep your plumbing system operating in good working order. Here are some tips to help you prevent clogged pipes so you can succeed at keeping your drains flowing freely.

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  • Be careful what you throw in the toilet – Consider placing lid locks on your toilets to keep out toys, taking preventative measures and placing a lined trash can within arm’s reach of the toilet, and placing a plunger beside each toilet.
  • Create pressure – We advise filling your sink or bathtub with water once or twice a month and drain it to create pressure that flushes the pipes and removes debris. 
  • Clean pipes regularly – Periodic drain line cleaning ensures your pipes are clear and functioning properly. There are several techniques to use including steam, augers, winding snakes, and water pressure. Home remedies such as various combinations of vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda are also recommended.
  • Observe appliances – You may be able to indicate a clog or blockage by examining the behavior of your water drainage. Lookout for how your toilet flushes, how your sink drains, and how other appliances run. 
  • Avoid certain food items in the disposal – Many food items are tough and may not shred the way you expect them to when you dispose of them. Stay away from meat, skin, and bones, tough fruit rinds, such as cantaloupe or watermelon, eggshells, and potato peels.

Let’s Solve Your Blocked Drain Lines

Whether you suspect there’s a drain blockage or have a compromised pipe, WaterGuard Plumbing can help resolve your plumbing issue. It’s important to find and fix problems immediately to avoid further damages and costly repairs. We offer helpful drain solutions and can service all your plumbing needs today!