Clogged drain? DIY fixes, what to avoid and when to call a plumber

What causes most clogs

• Kitchen sinks: fats, oils and grease, plus food scraps and coffee grounds. EPA says not to pour grease, oils or coffee grounds down the drain (EPA).
• Bathroom sinks and tubs: hair and soap buildup. MWRD lists hair among items that shouldn’t go down the pipes (MWRD).
• Toilets: anything other than toilet paper. MWRD says so-called flushable wipes are similar to paper towels and won’t break apart, and treating a toilet like a trash can could clog the plumbing in your home and the sewer in your neighborhood (MWRD).

DIY fixes to try first

• Plunger. Use a cup plunger for sinks and tubs and a flange plunger for toilets. Cover the overflow hole on a sink or tub with a wet cloth so the pressure goes to the clog.
• Clean the stopper and trap. Pull out the sink stopper or tub strainer and remove the hair. Under a sink, you can put a bucket below the U-shaped trap, unscrew it and clear it out.
• Hand drain snake. A small auger or plastic drain strip reaches clogs a plunger can’t. EPA recommends boiling water or a drain snake rather than chemical drain openers (EPA).
• Stop if it gets worse. If water rises instead of draining, or the clog comes back within days, the blockage is probably deeper in the line.

Why to skip chemical drain cleaners

MedlinePlus says drain cleaners contain very dangerous chemicals that can harm you if you swallow them, breathe them in or get them on your skin or eyes. Some contain sodium hydroxide, and exposure can cause severe burns and loss of vision (MedlinePlus). They can also splash back when you plunge, and a plumber may need to take extra care with a drain full of chemicals. If you have a septic system, EPA says pouring toxins down the drain can kill the organisms that treat your waste (EPA).

If you do use one, follow the label, wear gloves and eye protection, never mix products and don’t plunge right after. If it gets on your skin or in your eyes, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and get medical help (MedlinePlus).

Prevent the next clog

• Only flush pee, poop and toilet paper (MWRD).
• Never pour cooking oil or grease down the drain (EPA). Let it cool and put it in the trash.
• Put strainers in sink and tub drains to catch hair and food scraps.
• If you’re on a septic system, limit the garbage disposal. EPA says it adds fats, grease and solids that can clog the drainfield (EPA).

When to call a plumber

• More than one drain is slow or backing up at the same time, or water comes up a floor drain or the tub when you flush. That can point to a blocked sewer line. See our sewer line guide.
• A clog keeps coming back after you’ve plunged and snaked it.
• You smell sewage, or you hear gurgling from drains or the toilet.
• You’ve already used a chemical cleaner and the drain is still full.

Before you hire, get written estimates from more than one plumber, ask whether the price includes a camera inspection, and check the license with the Illinois Department of Public Health. Watch for high-pressure sales and big up-front payments (FTC, Illinois Attorney General).

Water in the basement after a storm? See our sump pump and basement flooding guide, our plumbing guide and our home repair hub.