How to Unclog a Drain (And When to Call a Plumber)

A slow or clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing calls we get. It’s also one of the problems where a homeowner can genuinely handle it themselves — if they use the right approach. The wrong approach, though, can make the problem worse or damage your pipes. Here’s what actually works.

Start Here: Identify the Drain

Before you do anything, figure out which drain is affected and whether it’s isolated or widespread.

• One fixture is slow or blocked — you’re almost certainly dealing with a localized clog. This is DIY territory.
• Multiple fixtures are slow or backing up — kitchen sink and washing machine both draining poorly, or water backs up in the tub when you flush the toilet. This points to a partial blockage in your main line. Stop and call a plumber.
• All drains are backing up — main line blockage or a sewer issue. Don’t use any fixtures and call immediately.

The rest of this guide assumes a single, localized clog.

Method 1: The Plunger

A good plunger is the most underused tool in most homes. People give it a few half-hearted pushes and give up. Here’s how to do it right:

For a sink: Use a cup plunger (the flat-bottomed kind). Remove any standing water so you can see the drain. Plug the overflow hole — the small hole near the top of your sink basin — with a wet rag. This is important; otherwise, you lose suction. Place the plunger over the drain, make a solid seal, and use firm, rhythmic strokes for 15–20 seconds. Pull off sharply at the end of a push cycle to create suction.

For a toilet: Use a flange plunger (the one with the rubber flap that extends downward). Insert the flap into the drain opening before plunging. Same principle — consistent strokes, firm seal, patience.

If plunging works, run hot water for a minute to flush debris through.

Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar

This one is popular on the internet. I’ll give you an honest take: it works for mild, grease-related slowdowns, not for solid clogs. The fizzing action does help break up light soap and grease buildup.

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for 15 minutes, then flush with a kettle of boiling water (for metal pipes) or very hot tap water (for PVC).

In Utah, where we deal with heavy mineral buildup on top of the usual grease and soap, this method has limited effect on the scale itself. Think of it as preventive maintenance on a drain that’s still flowing reasonably well, not a fix for a true blockage.

Method 3: A Drain Snake (Hand Auger)

If plunging doesn’t break it loose, a drain snake is your next move. You can buy a basic hand auger at any hardware store for $25–$40, or rent a longer motorized version.

For a bathroom sink or tub, remove the stopper first — most pop-up stoppers unscrew or lift out with a slight turn. Feed the snake cable into the drain, pushing steadily until you feel resistance. Crank the handle to work through the clog, then pull back slowly. You’ll likely pull up a satisfying mat of hair, soap scum, and mineral buildup. Run water to confirm flow is restored.

For kitchen sinks, remove the P-trap first (place a bucket underneath — it will have water in it). If the clog is past the trap, snake from there. If the trap itself is packed with grease and debris, cleaning it out by hand is often faster than snaking through it.

What NOT to Do: Chemical Drain Cleaners

Liquid drain cleaners — Drano, Liquid-Plumr, and similar products — are something I discourage for most situations. Here’s why:

They don’t always work. Chemical cleaners are designed for organic clogs (hair, grease). They do almost nothing for a solid object or a mineral-scale buildup, which is common in Utah homes.

They can damage older pipes. The caustic chemicals generate heat during the reaction. In older galvanized steel or even PVC pipes, repeated use weakens pipe walls and joints over time.

They make our job harder. If you call us after using a chemical cleaner, we’re now working with a drain full of caustic liquid. It’s a safety issue and it complicates the job.

They’re a temporary fix. They may open the drain enough to flow for a week, then the problem returns. The underlying buildup is still there.

If you want to use something chemical, enzyme-based drain cleaners (BioClean, Green Gobbler Enzyme) are safer for your pipes and the environment. They work slowly — overnight — and they’re better suited to maintenance than emergency clearing.

The Utah Hard Water Factor

One thing that makes drain clogs in Utah different from other parts of the country is our water hardness. Salt Lake and Utah County water runs 15–25 grains per gallon (gpg) — roughly three times the national average. That calcium and magnesium deposits inside your drain pipes over years, narrowing the opening and giving organic debris something to grab onto.

If you find yourself battling slow drains repeatedly in the same fixture, mineral buildup is often part of the story — especially in homes that have been on city water for 10+ years without any descaling. For a deeper look at what Utah’s water chemistry does to your pipes over time, our guide to Utah hard water and plumbing damage is worth reading. A professional hydro-jetting service can clear mineral buildup completely — it’s not something a drain snake touches.

When to Call a Plumber

Call us instead of continuing DIY if:

• Multiple fixtures are draining slowly or backing up into each other
• You’ve snaked the drain and it’s still blocked or blocked again within a few days
• You hear gurgling sounds in other drains when you use a fixture — that’s air being displaced in a partially blocked line
• There’s a sewage smell coming from floor drains
• Water is backing up out of a floor drain or the lowest fixture in the house
• You’ve had the same drain slow down three or more times in the past year

That last one is important. A recurring clog in the same drain usually means there’s a partial obstruction — roots, an offset pipe joint, or heavy scale buildup — that DIY methods will never fully clear.

Call H&M Plumbing at (801) 787-6905. We serve Utah County, Salt Lake County, and the Park City area — available 24/7 for emergencies. Learn more about our professional drain cleaning services.