Before you pour chemicals down the drain or call a plumber, try these steps in order. Many clogs can be cleared in 10 minutes with the right approach.
Step 1: The Plunger (Try This First)
A plunger works on most household clogs — sinks, tubs, and toilets. The key is using the right type:
Cup plunger (flat bottom) — for sinks, tubs, and shower drains. Create a seal over the drain and plunge vigorously 15-20 times.
Flange plunger (with a protruding flap) — for toilets. The flange creates a better seal in the curved toilet drain.
Make sure there is enough water in the sink or tub to cover the plunger cup. If not, add some. The water pressure is what pushes the clog through.
Step 2: The Drain Snake
If the plunger does not work, a drain snake (also called a drain auger) is the next step. Feed the cable into the drain, crank it forward until you hit the clog, then rotate and push to break through it.
For bathroom sinks and tubs, the clog is almost always hair tangled around the drain stopper or in the P-trap. A small zip-it tool or plastic drain cleaner can pull this out without even needing a snake.
- Drain snake 25-foot — handles most household clogs
- Zip-it drain cleaner tool — pull hair clogs from bathroom drains
- Drain hair catcher — prevent future clogs
Step 3: The P-Trap
For kitchen and bathroom sink clogs, the blockage is often in the P-trap — the curved pipe under the sink. Place a bucket underneath, unscrew the P-trap by hand or with pliers, and clean it out. This is easier than it sounds and requires no special tools.
What NOT to Do
Do not use chemical drain cleaners. Products like Drano and Liquid Plumr contain harsh chemicals that can corrode pipes — especially the older cast iron and galvanized pipes found in many Pittsburgh homes. They also create a chemical hazard for plumbers who need to work on the drain later.
Do not use a garden hose. Forcing water pressure into a clogged drain without proper equipment can blow out pipe joints, especially in older plumbing.
Do not take apart pipes you cannot reassemble. If you are not comfortable with basic plumbing, stop after the plunger and snake.
Pittsburgh Drain Issues
Pittsburgh homes have some unique drain challenges:
Old pipes. Many homes in the city have original cast iron drain lines from the early-to-mid 1900s. These corrode from the inside, creating rough surfaces that catch debris and cause recurring clogs.
Tree roots. Pittsburgh has mature trees everywhere. Roots seek out sewer lines for moisture and can infiltrate joints and cracks, causing repeated main line backups.
Basement floor drains. Many Pittsburgh basements have floor drains connected directly to the sewer. These can back up during heavy rain if the municipal system is overwhelmed.
When to Call a Plumber
Call a pro when:
- The plunger and snake did not clear the clog
- Multiple drains are backing up at the same time (main line issue)
- You smell sewage
- Water is backing up into the basement
- The same drain keeps clogging despite clearing it
- You hear gurgling from other fixtures when using a drain
Professional drain cleaning in Pittsburgh costs $100-$250 for a standard snake job. For recurring problems, a camera inspection ($100-$350) can identify the root cause.
Getting Help
If yinz have a stubborn clog or recurring drain problems, get connected through NebbyPlumber. We will find a local Pittsburgh plumber who can clear it and figure out what is causing it.