What is the best tool for unclogging drains?

Author: Micaela Stark  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Flange plungers, the type most homeowners are familiar with, are best for unclogging toilets because the flange helps create an airtight seal in the toilet bowl. However, a cup plunger is more appropriate for working on clogged sinks, showers, bathtubs, and other flat-surface drains.

What do professionals use to unblock drains?

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

What is the best thing to unclog drains with?

  • Baking soda and vinegar have long been known to unclog clogged drains effectively.
  • You can clean various objects with household items like vinegar and baking soda.
  • Or you can use hydrochloric acid, sometimes referred to as muriatic acid, which is the acid that plumbers most frequently used

Is a plunger or snake better for drains?

A plumbing snake is more effective for clogs that are deeper within the pipes, beyond the reach of a plunger. It's particularly useful when you suspect that the blockage is solid or too stubborn for suction alone to handle.

What tool do plumbers use to unclog drains?

Drain Auger

A tool that is similar to the drain snake is the drain auger. Drain snakes are primarily used to tackle clogged sinks and smaller drains. Drain augers are designed for larger pipes, like ones in the toilet or shower. Like drain snakes, drain augers are available in manual or motorized designs.

5 Tools to Unclog a Drain GUARANTEED

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.

What is the best thing to unblock drains with?

#1: Use baking soda and vinegar

Let it sit for an hour or more (or overnight if you suspect the blockage is really bad) and then flush with hot water. In theory, the blockage should be gone but repeat the process if you experience further problems.

Can you damage your drain with a snake?

If you use the wrong type of drain snake for the drain line, the snake could loop back on itself or scrape the sides of the plumbing pipe, causing damage that could lead to leaks and/or the need to replace the damaged piece of pipe.

What type of drain plunger is best?

Toilet Plunger With Flap

With the flap folded inside the cup, this plunger can also create a seal on a sink or tub drain. A toilet plunger is perhaps the best option for all-around home use because the fold-out flap provides flexibility to fit just about any drain.

Is an auger better than a plunger?

Unfortunately, plungers can also lead to problems since they often push the clog down the pipe. It can lead to worsening clogs or complete stoppage of any type of draining. Using a plunger may work in some minor cases, but in most instances, an auger should be your tool of choice.

Does Coke help unclog drains?

Coke and Pepsi are loaded with phosphoric acid, which breaks down the buildup that can clog your drains. Phosphoric acid can even remove lime scale and other tough buildup that regular cleaners struggle with. This is an effective and refreshing home remedy if we ever saw one.

Can you leave baking soda and vinegar in the drain overnight?

Allowing the baking soda and vinegar mixture to sit in the drain for an extended period, such as overnight, can improve its effectiveness. The prolonged contact with the clog helps break down the build-up more thoroughly, making it easier to flush away with hot water the following morning.

What is the strongest drain unclogger?

The Santeen Sulfuric Acid Drain Opener proved to be the most potent among all the chemical drain cleaners we tested, effectively dissolving 80% of the hair, 80% of the organic matter, 40% of the grease and 76% of the paper products.

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.

Does green gobbler damage pipes?

Simply put, liquid drain cleaners like Liquid-Plumr, Drano, and Green Gobbler are not designed for frequent use. Because of the chemicals found in these types of products, you could cause irreparable damage to your pipes.

What do plumbers use to unblock 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.

What plunger do plumbers use?

Most of the time, these devices are used by professional plumbers, though if you frequently deal with tough toilet clogs, you might want to purchase one (or just call a plumber to replace your toilet altogether.) Taze Plunger: Taze plungers are specialty devices, almost exclusively used by professional plumbers.

What is the best item to unclog drains?

Plungers are good for food or organic material clogs. Or use an enzyme drain cleaner. Drain snakes are the best drain cleaner for hair clogs, whether the hair is natural or synthetic. If that doesn't work and the hair is natural, try a chemical drain opener.

When not to use a drain snake?

Sometimes, using a drain snake can push the clog deeper into the pipe, making the blockage even worse. This often happens if the clog is caused by mineral buildup, like hard water deposits, that can be scraped off and further block the drain.

How to clear a main sewer line clog yourself?

Your step-by-step guide: How to clear a main sewer line clog
  1. Step 1: Loosen the cap on the drain pipe. ...
  2. Step 2: Open the cap and let the buildup drain out. ...
  3. Step 3: Feed the auger cable into the drain pipe. ...
  4. Step 4: Run the auger until the clog is clear—and beyond. ...
  5. Step 5: Hose down the pipe and auger cable.

Should I buy a drain snake or call a plumber?

If your clog is still stubbornly in place, consider a drain snake. There are cheap plastic ones and hand-cranked metal models, either of which might snag the offending blockage with no need for a plumber. But if you still can't get to the root of the problem, it's time for professional assistance.

What is safe to pour down the drain to unclog it?

Add a half cup of vinegar and put something over the drain. Wait half an hour and then pour boiling water into the drain. Dish detergent: For a clogged toilet, pour a quarter cup of dish detergent into the bowl and then pour hot water over it. Use a plunger.

Can I leave Mr. Muscle drain Foamer overnight?

Using innovative drain unblocking technology, Mr Muscle's new biodegradable formula delivers the power to unclog bathroom drains in just 5 hours. Use it at night, let it work its magic and wake up to freely flowing drains.

Do green gobbler drain sticks work?

However, some customers noted that the product may not resolve severe clogs and its effectiveness can vary based on individual drain conditions. Overall, it is viewed as a reliable preventive measure for keeping drains flowing smoothly.

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