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How to Clear a Clogged Drain

To clear a clogged drain, plungers work very well if you use them properly. They should be the first tool one uses when a clog happens. When you are working on a tub or bathroom sink drain, you'll most likely get the best results if you remove the stopper mechanism from the drain inlet. To do that, locate the control rod attached to the drainpipe below the sink. You will need to remove the rod – it’s usually secured by spring clip. The rod intersects your stopper stem rather like thread through a needle. You will need to pull it all the way out to free the stopper stem. You can now pull the stopper unit up and out of the sink.

Tip! Place a tub or a bucket under your sink trap before you pull that rod! Expect a gush of dirty water escaping the rod hole when you pull it.

Steps to Clearing a Clogged Drain

Pull the stopper out of the sink. You'll probably find a lovely ball of hair and soap goop clinging to the stopper rod. Most of the time, a good de-gooping will solve the drainage problem. After clearing the rod, drop the stopper unit back into the drain opening. Replace the control rod, making sure that it's "threaded" properly back into the slot in the stopper stem by checking that the stopper lifts and drops as it should. Then secure the rod with its nut and clip.

The drain stopper on your tub is usually attached to the lever on the overflow outlet. You can usually access this by removing the overflow cover with a screwdriver. You can then pull up to remove the lever and the tub stopper.

If the drain is still sluggish, try this: grab your plunger and a wet washrag. Fill the sink (or tub) about two inches deep with water. Hold the rag tightly against the overflow holes and plunge down hard two or three times. Make sure the head of the plunger is snug against the surface so that you get a good vacuum when you plunge. If you're lucky, that will do the trick, and water will flow readily down the drain. If plunging doesn't work, it may be time to try some of the off-the-shelf drain cleaners, or call in a professional.

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