How do plumbers unclog deep clogs?

Author: Lenore Bosco DVM  |  Last update: Thursday, March 27, 2025

In many cases, professional drain cleaning tools like a toilet auger or hydro jetting equipment will be enough to deal with a deep clogged pipe.

How do you unclog a severely clogged drain?

Pour one-half cup table salt down the drain, followed by boiling water. Or try a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar—let it bubble, wait 15 minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try a cup of baking soda and a half-cup of salt; let it sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water.

How do professional plumbers unclog drains?

Plumbers choose hydro jetting equipment for the most stubborn, deep-set clogs. This drain clearing tool uses high-pressure water to flush your pipes and remove years of buildup. The water jet is so strong that it can even break up any tree roots that have found their way into your sewer line.

How do plumbers get rid of clogs?

Plumbers have different ways to clear clogged drains. They usually start by using a plunger to loosen the blockage. If that doesn't help, they might use a drain snake to break up and remove the gunk. For really tough clogs, they can use hydro jetting, which sprays high-pressure water to clean out the pipes completely.

What do professionals use to unblock drains?

Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.

SECRET Plumber Trick: Unclog Drain in SECONDS 💥 (Extremely simple) 🤯

How much does it cost for a plumber to remove a clog?

Across the nation, if you were going to hire a professional plumber, the average amount you can expect to spend is approximately $250. However, if your clog is minor, plumbers may charge as little as $100. Of course, if your clog is substantially more complex, this could increase your costs to upwards of $400.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain?

The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.

How do professionals unblock drains?

Drain jetting is like giving your pipes an intense hydro-cleaning session. It uses the power of high-pressure water to obliterate any drain blockages, leaving your pipes as good as new. It's like the pressure washer you use on your patio but for your drains.

What do you do if your drain won't unclog?

Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog.

How much does hydro jetting cost?

Hydro jetting costs $475 on average but range from $350 to $600. A plumber can give you a quote and get rid of your sewer clog. Having to keep your plumber on speed dial is no fun for any homeowner. If chronic sewer clogs are giving you issues, it might be time to call in the big guns.

What dissolves concrete in a drain?

Use Croc Crete to Remove Hardened Cement

This is the best method of removing hardened concrete from a drainage system. Croc Crete is a cement softener that attacks concrete at its core. It transforms cement back to its liquid form, allowing you to work it through the drain.

Why won't my snake go down the drain?

You may not be rotating the drain snake enough or you may not be using the right kind of drain snake. Rotate the drain snake more: A drain snake moves down the pipes both by forward motion and by rotation. Rotate the snake more, while continuing to push the snake forward.

How much does a plumber cost?

Average Flat Rate

Some plumbing jobs are billed at a flat rate. As of 2025, the average plumber rates for larger repairs are typically between $500 to $800, while smaller jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs typically range from $125 to $350.

How do plumbers clear blocked pipes?

How Do They Do It? 10 Tools Plumbers Use to Unclog Drains
  • Pipe Inspection. Most plumbers upon entering the home will conduct a pipe inspection. ...
  • Pipe Cameras. ...
  • Plunger. ...
  • Manual Drain Snake. ...
  • Motorized Drain Snake. ...
  • Drain Auger. ...
  • Hydro-Jet. ...
  • Hair Snake.

How does hydro jetting work?

Hydro jetting is a method used to clean slow-moving drains and clogged sewage lines. Water jetting is a method frequently used by professional plumbing contractors, employing a hydro jetting machine which uses a blast of water at very high pressure up to 4000 psi to remove hard, stubborn blockages.

How do you unblock a badly blocked drain?

Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe.

What chemical do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

How to unblock a clogged drain deep in a pipe?

5 DIY Methods to Clear Deep Drain Clogs 🥄
  1. Boiling Water. Boiling water is a simple yet effective method for breaking down grease and flushing away trapped residue. ...
  2. Baking Soda and Vinegar. ...
  3. Plunger. ...
  4. Wire Brush or Pipe Cleaning Tool. ...
  5. Plumbing Snake or Auger.

What will dissolve hair in a drain?

Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.

Does vinegar damage PVC pipes?

While harmless for most metal and PVC pipes, prolonged exposure to the acidic nature of vinegar might corrode certain metals, like copper. PVC pipes, on the other hand, can withstand these substances without damage.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in a drain?

What happens if you put too much baking soda down a drain? Too much baking soda put down a drain can clog it. It can harden and become a solid, cement-like mass.

How much does Roto-Rooter charge to unclog?

You'll likely pay between $300 and $450 to unclog your toilet with Roto-Rooter. However, the price could change depending on if the clog has caused a lot of damage, which your plumbing pro will want to inspect during your service appointment.

How long does it take a plumber to clear a clog?

If you're dealing with a more stubborn or complicated blockage, you'll likely need a professional plumber. Their solutions can take a couple of hours or even a whole day to complete.

What is the cheapest way to unclog a drain?

Salt and Baking Soda

Salt is a cost-effective alternative that works well for minor clogs. Mixing half a cup of table salt with baking soda and pouring it down the drain before adding boiling water can help break down grease and debris.

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