Simple Ways to Unclog a Drain Without Toxic Chemicals

Unclogging a drain might be a job you could successfully do yourself without chemicals or a big bill. ThamKC/Shutterstock

A plugged-up sink, shower, or tub drain sends most people running for either a bottle of caustic drain cleaner or a plumber’s phone number. But wait: Unclogging a drain might be a job you could successfully do yourself without chemicals or a big bill.

Assess the Situation

Turn on taps to allow water down other drains in the house. If everything else is flowing freely, you can be fairly certain you have a localized clog, and it’s probably near that clogged drain’s opening.

If the problem involves other drains, you could have a bigger problem that might require a professional. Assuming it’s only the one drain, let’s move on.

Boiling Water

Get a large pot and boil as much water as it will hold. However, if you are dealing with a very old porcelain sink and/or PVC pipes, then there’s a slight chance that boiling water could cause damage. In that case, fill the pot with your very hottest tap water.