Home Drain Encyclopedia

Drains in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and garage each can get clogged in their own Way.

It often goes unconsidered until a problem arises just how many different drains there are in the home, and how dependent we are on them all functioning properly. Whether you’ve put up with a slow shower drain for long enough, or are here on more pressing matters, you’ll find help here to get things back in order.

Finding the Help You Need

It does not take long for a clogged toilet to become the top priority around the house. Other drains such as those in basement floors may only be needed once in a while, but when the time comes, they had better work. Maintenance, repair, and the cleaning and clearing of drains is an uncomplicated and unglamorous topic. The well prepared homeowner will have plungers and augers for toilets and sinks in the house, and so be prepared for just about any eventuality.

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain

Unclogging bathtub drains can be complicated by restricted access

Giant Bathtub

Creative 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.

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How to Unclog a Shower Drain

How to Unclog a Shower Drain

Showers pose particular challenges for unclogging

Tiled Shower Stall

Creative CommonsJimmy Fix-It

Clogged shower drains must be approached differently than clogged sinks, bathtubs, or toilets. It is always important to have idea of what is causing the blockage, but you must be particularly careful when dealing with shower and floor drains that you do not make things worse than they already are.

Do not force something solid or substantial, such as a shampoo bottle cap or part from a child’s toy, further into the drain with a hasty use of the plunger. Objects such as these should be extracted before they get beyond reach. Also consider if the problem in the shower is not a symptom of a larger issue. Shower and floor drains are among the first to show signs when there is blockage in the wastewater and sewage drains from the house to the main. This page discusses how to clear a clog in the drain of the shower, if you suspect a sewer backup, and are experiencing slow or intermittent drainage throughout the house, you will want to call your local utility company.

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How to Unclog a Lavatory Drain

How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink Drain

Dealing with Bathroom Sink Stopper Assemblies and Overflow Drains

A Clean Sink

Creative CommonsJ B

Pep Talk

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.

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How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

Don’t Panic! You’ll have flow restored in no time.

Veggie Peelings

Creative Commonsosseous

Kitchen sinks can become clogged from food residue building up over time, or from an accidental dump down the drain. Either way, the clog has to be dealt with before free flow can be restored. It is helpful if you know the location and composition of the clog exactly, but most methods will still work even if you do not.

You have three options for clearing your clogged sink. You can use a plunger, a drain auger, or no tools at all.

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