113718 616 House & Garden Plumbing Bathrooms and Tubs true Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:34:28 -0800 /system/videos/3/18/37/11/113718.flv house, home, plumbing, plumb, plumber, plumbers, unclog, unclogging, clogged, clog How To Unclog a Drain Without Toxic Chemicals http://www.howcast.com/videos/113718-How-To-Unclog-a-Drain-Without-Toxic-Chemicals http://www.howcast.com/videos/113718-How-To-Unclog-a-Drain-Without-Toxic-Chemicals/edit approved 182 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=113718"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=113718" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 6 natewood http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/Picture_8_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png 3828 false false false 53481 1 33 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/33.jpg Try baking soda If the clog isn’t too bad, try this easy cure. Remove the stopper and pour one-quarter cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by two ounces of vinegar. Let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with two quarts boiling water.

]]> 53482 2 47 Warning Don’t try this if you’ve already used a commercial drain opener, as it can create harmful fumes!

]]> 53483 3 52 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/52.jpg Prep the area If the baking soda and vinegar combo doesn’t work, prepare to plunge the drain by putting on rubber gloves and removing anything from the area, like a basket strainer in a kitchen sink. If the drain has an overflow hole—or two, if it’s a compartment sink—you’ll need to block it with cleaning rags or duct tape.

]]> 53484 4 70 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/70.jpg Add water Place the plunger over the clogged drain, and then fill the sink with enough water to nearly cover the plunger cup.

]]> 53485 5 77 Tip Rubbing some petroleum jelly on the lip of the cup will create a tighter seal.

]]> 53486 6 82 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/82.jpg Plunge Push the handle down as far as you can, and then pull it back up forcefully. Repeat this pushing-pulling motion until the clog is cleared, or until you’ve tried for five minutes. If another drain reacts to this, the clog is in the main pipe and will need to be dealt with by a plumber.

]]> 53487 7 99 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/99.jpg Clean the trap Still clogged? See if the drainpipe has a plug or sink trap that can be removed. If so, put bucket or pan underneath to catch whatever gunk falls out when you open it. Use your snake to clear debris, and close the trap when you’re done.

]]> 53488 8 110 Warning If you’ve poured any chemicals down the pipe, don’t open the trap unless your eyes and hands are protected.

]]> 53489 9 120 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/120.jpg Snake it If the clog persists or there’s no plug or trap, use a plumber’s snake, or auger. Insert the spring part of the snake into the drain as far as it will go. Crank the handle until you feel the spring hit a clog; then break it up by pushing and pulling while cranking. Be careful not to scratch the porcelain or metal as you work.

]]> 53490 10 136 Tip You can also try securing a piece of cloth around the end of a hose and threading that down a drain to force out a clog.

]]> 53491 11 141 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/141.jpg Rinse with hot water Once the pipe is unclogged, run scalding hot water down the drain to help dissolve any remaining goop and carefully clean the surrounding area and any equipment you used. But if you’ve tried everything and the drain is still backing up, it might be time to wave the white flag and, yes, call a plumber.

]]> 53492 12 162 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113718/162.jpg Prevent future clogs When your drain is finally free and clear, prevent future clogs by running the hot water for a few minutes—or flushing it with baking soda and vinegar—on a monthly basis.

]]> 53493 13 170 Fact Surveyors in Adams County, Indiana, searching for the cause of a clogged drain found a dead 120-pound alligator backing up the system.

]]> 616 43832 How To Recaulk a Bathtub or Shower AssignmentGuide 16453 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:15:40 -0700 14 karmatrain ]]> 125 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/32/38/04/43832.flv house, home, plumbing, bathroom, bathrooms, tubs, bathtub, bathtubs, tub, recaulk House & Garden Plumbing Bathrooms and Tubs 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/43832/Picture_8_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/43832-How-To-Recaulk-a-Bathtub-or-Shower 616 113079 How To Retrieve an Item Dropped Down the Drain AssignmentGuide 1529 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:52:37 -0800 3 natewood ]]> 156 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/79/30/11/113079.flv house, home, plumbing, plumb, plumber, plumbers, retrieve, retrieving, get, getting House & Garden Plumbing Bathrooms and Tubs 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113079/Picture_1_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/113079-How-To-Retrieve-an-Item-Dropped-Down-the-Drain 615 188536 How To Prevent Pipes From Freezing AssignmentGuide 1073 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:02:54 -0700 3 jamiep ]]> 93 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/36/85/18/188536.flv house, home, plumbing, freezing, winter, protecting, preventing, damaging, ice, good House & Garden Plumbing General Plumbing 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/188536/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/188536-How-To-Prevent-Pipes-From-Freezing 615 218252 How To Thaw a Frozen Pipe AssignmentGuide 291 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:33:53 -0700 0 mattmcgrathrocks ]]> 54 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/16/69/26/266916.flv pipe, thaw, frozen, cold, freezing, unfreeze, plumbing, general plumbing House & Garden Plumbing General Plumbing 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/218252/ThawFrozenPipes_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/218252-How-To-Thaw-a-Frozen-Pipe 617 112867 How To Fix a Leaky Faucet AssignmentGuide 12419 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:17:38 -0800 9 natewood ]]> 117 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/67/28/11/112867.flv house, home, plumbing, plumb, plumber, plumbers, fixtures, fix, fixing, repair House & Garden Plumbing Plumbing Fixtures 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/112867/Picture_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/112867-How-To-Fix-a-Leaky-Faucet 617 195950 How To Install a Water Purifier on Your Faucet AssignmentGuide 459 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:02:55 -0700 3 Pyrom ]]> 123 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/50/59/19/195950.flv house, home, installing, kitchen, water, plumbing, purifier, fixtures, putting, on House & Garden Plumbing Plumbing Fixtures 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/195950/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/195950-How-To-Install-a-Water-Purifier-on-Your-Faucet 617 218164 How To Install a Shower Head AssignmentGuide 992 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:32:42 -0700 2 gbacklin ]]> 95 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/42/05/24/240542.flv house, garden, plumbing, fixtures, installing, showerhead, shower, head, changing, new House & Garden Plumbing Plumbing Fixtures 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/218164/Picture_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/218164-How-To-Install-a-Shower-Head 618 3194 How To Unclog a Toilet AssignmentGuide 3220 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:29:50 -0700 5 senglish ]]> 119 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/94/31/3194.flv bathroom, clog, clogged, DIY, Do It Yourself, Essential Skills, home, house, Instructional, Learn to, plumber, plumbing, restroom, stuck, Tips, toilet, tutorial, unclog House & Garden Plumbing Toilets 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/3194/15_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/3194-How-To-Unclog-a-Toilet 618 112977 How To Fix a Running Toilet AssignmentGuide 12230 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:47:38 -0800 5 natewood ]]> 154 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/77/29/11/112977.flv house, home, plumbing, plumb, plumber, plumbers, toilets, toilet, fix, fixing House & Garden Plumbing Toilets 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/112977/Picture_8_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/112977-How-To-Fix-a-Running-Toilet 561 166007 How To Hang a Door AssignmentGuide 3370 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:17:15 -0700 5 heroicarts ]]> 155 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/2/07/60/16/166007.flv house, home, hanging, new, frame, doorframe, improvement, room, bedroom House & Garden General House & Home General Home 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/166007/hang_a_door_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/166007-How-To-Hang-a-Door 561 166033 How To Fix a Door That Sticks AssignmentGuide 2599 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:04:41 -0700 4 heroicarts ]]> 152 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/33/60/16/166033.flv house, home, fix, fixing, repair, repairing, door, sticks, sticky, sticking House & Garden General House & Home General Home 0 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