Three methods are commonly used to open up clogged drains: plunger,
chemicals, and an auger (or "snake").
Plunger. Be sure the plunger's suction cup is large
enough to cover the drain opening or your work will be an exercise
in futility. Fill the clogged basin with enough water to cover the
plunger cup, and coat the rim of the cup with petroleum jelly to
seal the drain tightly. Use wet rags to block any outlets-a sink
overflow or second sink-and create a vacuum. Plunge with 15 to 20
strong strokes once you have a tight seal. Try several times before
turning to other remedies.
Chemicals. Don't use chemicals if the drain is
completely clogged. These chemical will burn your skin; if they
sit in a stagnant drain, you'll have to find a way to remove both
the chemicals and the blockage. Don't use routinely because these
cleaners can damage metal pipes. Make sure the room is well ventilated,
and wear rubber gloves and eye protectors when using chemicals.
Read labels and use the right kind of cleaner-an alkali to cut grease
and an acid to dissolve hair, soap, and other gook. Never mix chemicals,
and do not use chemicals in combination with a plunger.
Drain auger. Remove any filters or stops and guide
the drain auger through the drain opening. Work the drain auger
patiently around bends in the piping as you feed it through. (For
a toilet, you'll need a special "closet auger."When you've
hooked the blockage, pull the drain auger back a little to free
it, then continue to push it through (or pull the clog out).
For a deep clog, first remove the sink trap. To do this, unscrew
the couplings (catch water in a bucket placed beneath the trap).
Work a drain auger through the drain pipe to free or extract the
clog.
If feeding the drain auger through the drain doesn't work, try
feeding it through a system cleanout.
--Don Vandervort
wibc.com is pleased to welcome columnist Don Vandervort. Don is
the author of 25 home improvement books. He's also a frequent contributor
to national magazines and a regular guest on the HGTV show, "The
Fix."
Check back each week for another of Don's "how to" articles.
If you need information on a home repair that's not at this site,
check out Don's website at
www.hometips.com 
