Bathroom Clogs: How to Unclog the Drain in Your Bathtub or Sink
Feb 24, 2010 4:20 PM
Q: Lately, we’ve been having some problems in both the shower and sink in our bathroom. The water is draining much slower than usual. What should we do?
A: The bathroom is one of the most common places for clogs to occur. Hair, dirt, soap and grime are constantly running down the drain (yep, we know, it’s pretty gross). This gunk can easily get stuck inside your drainpipe so that water can’t flow freely.
If water backs up quickly each time the drain is used, the problem is most likely close to the drain opening. First, remove the drain stopper and clean it off. Hair and soap scum can accumulate on the stopper and affect the water flow. Next, look down the drain for hair. If you see some, use your finger to pull up as much as you can (you can wear rubber gloves if you’d prefer not to use your bare finger). You can also use needle-nose pliers, tweezers or a bent wire hanger to help you remove this hair.
Also, try using a toilet plunger to help unclog the drain. Put enough water in the bathtub or sink to cover the bottom of the plunger, put the plunger over the drain, and push down and up a few times. If necessary, block the overflow outlet with a rag (to help with suction).
Next, use a Drano® product to dissolve the remaining hair and gunk. Remember to keep hands, face and children away from drains while using Drano®. Also, never use a plunger during or after use of a Drano® product. The formula may still be present in the drain and splash-back could occur.
For a partial clog (water that flows more slowly than usual), we recommend using Drano® Dual Force™ Foamer to unclog the drain. For standing water that doesn’t clear for several hours, use Drano® Max Gel—it pours through water straight to the clog.