What's the best way to unclog a drain safely?

How to Safely Unclog a Drain

For safe and effective drain unclogging, follow these steps in order of increasing intensity:

• ✔ Boiling water: For simple clogs, pour boiling water down the drain in 2–3 stages, allowing time between pours. (Not recommended for PVC pipes or porcelain sinks.)
• ✔ Baking soda and vinegar:
  • Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain
  • Follow with ½ cup white vinegar
  • Cover the drain for 30 minutes
  • Flush with hot water
• ✔ Plunger: Create a tight seal and use quick, forceful plunges to dislodge the clog. Fill the sink with enough water to cover the plunger's cup.
• ✔ Drain snake/auger: Feed the snake into the drain until you reach the clog, then rotate to break it up or pull it out.
• ✔ Remove and clean P-trap: For sink drains, place a bucket beneath the curved pipe (P-trap), unscrew the connectors, and clean out the trap. Reattach securely.

What to avoid:

• ✔ Chemical drain cleaners can damage pipes, harm the environment, and create health hazards.
• ✔ Using excessive force with tools can crack pipes or fixtures.
• ✔ Mixing different chemical cleaners can create toxic gases.

If these methods don't work, or if you're uncomfortable performing them, our professionals can clear your drains safely using specialized equipment without risking damage to your plumbing system. For recurring clogs, we can perform video inspection to identify underlying issues.