· 3 min read
How to clear a clogged drain without harsh chemicals
Most blocked sinks and tubs can be cleared in fifteen minutes with a plunger or a plastic drain strip. Here is what works, what does not, and the signs of a bigger problem.
Drains and toilets
Slow drains, blocked toilets, toilets that run or flush weakly, and the smells that come up from the drain. Nearly all of it is fixable without a plumber.
Drains and toilets are where most homeowners first pick up a wrench, and for good reason: the parts are cheap, the tools are simple, and the fixes are quick. A running toilet costs a few dollars to repair and can waste hundreds of gallons a day if it is left. A slow bathroom drain takes five minutes with a plastic strip.
Do it yourself, or call?
- One fixture, slow or blocked: yours to fix.
- A toilet that runs, flushes weakly or flushes by itself: yours to fix, with a part from the hardware store.
- A smell from a drain that is rarely used: a quart of water.
- Several drains slow at once, gurgling, or water coming up in the lowest drain: the main sewer line, and a plumber's job.
What lives here
The tips below cover clearing a drain without chemicals, the three causes of a running toilet, why a flush loses its power, and the five sources of a sewer smell.
What this topic covers
- Clearing a drain without harsh chemicals
- Fixing a toilet that runs or will not flush properly
- Signs that the blockage is in the main sewer line
Common questions
Are chemical drain cleaners really that bad?
They are slow, they often fail on a real blockage, and they leave caustic water in the sink for whoever tries next. They can also damage old pipes and septic systems. A plunger, a plastic hair strip or a hand snake does the job faster and more safely.
Can I flush wipes marked flushable?
Better not. They do not break down like toilet paper, and they are among the most common causes of blocked sewer lines and failed pumps. Put them in the bin.
Tips on this topic
· 3 min read
How to fix a running toilet
A toilet that runs all night can waste hundreds of gallons a day. The cause is nearly always one of three cheap parts, and the repair needs no special tools.
· 3 min read
Why your toilet flushes weakly, and how to get the power back
A toilet that needs two flushes is rarely a blocked drain. Usually it is a low tank level, a clogged rim, or a flapper that closes too soon. All three are easy to fix.
· 3 min read
A sewer smell in the house: the five usual causes
That drain smell in the basement or a spare bathroom is almost always a dry trap, and the cure is a glass of water. Here are the five causes, from the harmless to the serious.
Need a professional?
Some jobs are not for a weekend. Here is how to find a plumber near you in Rockland County and check the license before work starts.