The Stubborn Clog (And How to Fix It!)

We all have that one drain in our house that just refuses to clear. 

You’ve probably tried many different fixes, and none of them seem to work. Luckily, there are other ways you can try to clear this stubborn clog if you have the time and money. 

Before fixing the clog, you may want to add a few new tools in your arsenal – a sink plunger and – if you’re a more ambitious do-it-yourself-type – a plumber’s snake or cable auger. You can rent an electric power auger if the clog is far from the drain or very large.

Do you have a stubborn clogged drain? Try This

Unclogging the Drain:

Some clogs can be solved with the plunger. Fill the sink bowl with water before you begin plunging. Work the plunger up and down a few times over the drain, pull it off, and see if the clog releases.

If the drain you’re attempting to clear is on a bathtub or dual-basin kitchen sink, make sure to plug the other basin or any overflow holes with a rag. This will prevent the pressure the plunger is applying on the clog from escaping through the overflow hole. 

If this isn’t enough to clear the clog, you can turn to the pipe auger. But before you dive in, it’s important to weigh the costs and benefits of doing it yourself or having a professional handle it because it’s a bit involved. 

First, you’ll need to remove the sink trap and check it for a clog. When you remove it, make sure to have a bucket below to catch any excess water. 

Next, remove the horizontal trap arm that sticks out from the wall. Take the cable and put it into the wall until resistance begins pushing back on the cable. Begin to crank the handle of the auger clockwise and push it into the wall further.

If you sense the cable has caught onto something, crank the auger counterclockwise and pull the auger out. Push the cable back in once it’s clear. 

When you feel the clog is gone, reassemble the sink trap and run some hot water to make sure everything cleared out correctly. Finally, plunge the sink to make sure any debris has cleared out.

Having trouble fixing a stubborn clog? Contact the experts at Agentis.