Unclogging Bathroom Drains

Plunger, Paper, Potty

cCreative CommonsGary J. Wood

Clogged toilets are a common household problem, although with a bit of family or roomie education and some common sense, many times they could have been avoided.

A clogged toilet or commode does not drain when flushed. Water held in the tank of the toilet flows into the bowl, but does not wash away the contents down the drain. Instead the toilet bowl and drain become backed up behind a clog of waste, and the water stays in the bowl. When this happens, do not flush again! Most toilets can hold the contents of a single tank or flush of water without overflowing, but flushing an already backed up toilet is sure to cause a disgusting mess as the sewage flows over the rim of the bowl onto the bathroom floor.

A Clean Sink

cCreative CommonsJ B

Bathroom sink clogs are probably the most common type of household blocked drain. The levered drain stoppage assembly snares the ubiquitous hair in a congealed mass of toothpaste and soap scum. It is for this reason that our first piece of advice is to delegate this responsibility to a teenager. That’s right, make the nearest teenager come finish this article and unclog the darn sink for you. Then tell them they have to keep it clean from now on. It is still our recommendation that you do this, even if you have long hair and the teenager has short hair, because teens need to learn a lesson about life and buildup of gunk in pipes.

Giant Bathtub

cCreative CommonsErica Nicol

Fortunately, most clogs in bathtub drains are caused by buildup of oily hair and scummy soap, and such clogs can frequently be cleared by the homeowner or do-it-yourselfer.

Flushing Toilet

cCreative CommonsPaul Holloway

Luckily, there are several options available to people who find themselves in this common situation.

If you happen to own a tool called a closet auger, or even a smaller handheld drain auger, those may be your next best options. But even if you do not, you’re still in luck.