How to Unclog Any Drain | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows us every common household drain, and how to unclog them like a pro.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about plumbing clogs. From toilets and sinks to showers and drain lines, Richard shows Kevin what each system looks like inside and where clogs most often occur.

Where to find it?
Richard demonstrates how to handle simple clogs in a bathroom sink, kitchen sink and toilet using different mechanical devices and the proper techniques. When using a plunger he recommends creating a seal with the flange and pulling back on the plunger allowing the clog to break up.

About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Unclog Any Drain | Ask This Old House

[ecpoirier]

Nothing is more appreciated, than a knowledgeable person sharing their expertise to make the lives of their audience better. thank you.

[LY]

You know, I've always been jealous of people who had dads/guardians who taught them basic life skills like how to properly snake a drain since I never had anyone to help me like that. Thanks, This Old House, for filling that void.

[d.a.s.s]

All great advice. As a municipal maintenance tech ive used all of these options plus a couple more. One thing to note about the rubber bladders is they work well but make sure that no chemicals/ acids have been tried first. The rubber and acid do NOT mix. The acid can cause the rubber bladder to deteriorate and burst...often while being used under pressure. Not fun!

[michaelallen]

I worked for a company with 800 vacation rentals. I got a call every other day about a clogged toilet. The guests would say it's no use, they'd already plunged it. Well, they should have done it like Richard at 1:02 because that's the right way. Actually, don't pull it that hard unless you like poop in your face. No more than two or three "pulls", not pushes, and the clog is gone.

And clogged tub? It's hair. It's always hair. It's never anything but hair. Unscrew the popup or pull out the tub drain linkage. Then use needle nose pliers. As I would tell folks, "Look, I pulled out the entire cat."

Same for bathroom sinks. It's always hair. Unscrew the popup lever under the sink with a pair of channel locks, pull out the stopper, needle nose pliers down the drain and pull out that fur ball. Good to go.

[imgadgetmanjim]

My dad was a plumber/steamfitter and I went on plenty of jobs with him. Tip: if you are blocking the overflow hole to use a plunger it is more effective to use wet rag than a dry one.

[chrisdoherty]

I’m a plumber in Canada, long family history of master plumbers & carpenters. I just sent my apprentice this video to explain basic drain snaking. This old house is an excellent example for everyone.

[butterpecanrican_]

This show/channel is absolutely PRICELESS for homeowners. I've been watching TOH since I was a child though lol. I love this stuff.

[rickyiglesias]

I work for a state park system. We've been using those black expanders for like 15 years. They work so well. Love them and swear by them.

[stephenpatrician]

I love you guys! I've been watching you for 40 years and you always have a solution to help me with my DIY fixes! Thanks!

[insultobot]

More of this style of real information in a usable everyday scenarios. Bravo

[Mark_Nadams]

Thanks for the caution given about chemical drain solutions. It is often the go to solution of a home owner. The danger to the repairman is real. I was on the receiving end of a caustic flood once a long run drain was cleared. I had no way to get clear of the flow on a ladder and ended up with chemical burns everywhere it touched.

[kirkanos]

Man i thought they upped a old video but no ! i need to get out the archive and watch them side by side lol . Pretty sure was video was right after Kevin O’Connor got help taking down old wallpaper in his old house then became the new host next season. I love these guys so much years and years helping people

[garykorzelius]

Nice job! I have been clearing drains for years as a maintenance mechanic in a hospital so I was familiar with most of the methods however, the rubber bladder with the hole in it was a new one. Thanks I learned something new today.

[JustinOhlson-yosf]

I was able to remove a good sized block from my tub today, all thanks to this video. I was able to go through the vent and remove the block. Thank you very much for the wisdom.

[davidsmith]

A note about the rubber bladder...You need to make sure you're using it in front of any branches in the plumbing behind the clog. Otherwise you will shoot water up and out of a plumbing fixture...could be a flood if you're not paying attention!

[ladder]

The tip on the bathtub upper entry aided me in breaking the clog on my plumbing. The auger was able to go 5' down to the clog on the horizontal pipe before the stack. Thank you.

[crochetwithmouse]

Thank you for this video. I used to watch This Old House with my mom and dad, I learned a lot from the show. This was when Bob Vila was hosting in the 80’s. I am glad there are still videos to learn from. I will be attempting to clear the bathroom dint tomorrow. It is so bad it’s driving me insane. I don’t want to try chemicals again.

[weston.weston]

I enjoy this show so much, I've been watching for over 15 years.

[abar]

You guys are great. Thank you for your time. I am a self taught Jack of all trades in many of the disciplines I have acquired. I was impressed, I knew all the mechanics of every clogged drain you showed. However, I never really acquired the theory of the processes. A lot of it is logical in the practices. Thanks for the theory. Now in your video you showed the part that you brought from home. the one with the spiral on the end that operates the bathtub drain. I have exactly the same one. However, the spiral end that traps hair. How does that Mechanically work when it corresponds to the directional lever it attaches to or what does it actually do? Cant figure that one out Thank you in advance Semper Fi

[glorious.warrior]

My old man showed me the bladder trick because we lived in an old shot gun house and it would clog weekly. We were poor but this would get us through and I’m glad I learned early to do things yourself. Thanks dad!