Clean Out Your Drains

When a drain stops draining, most homeowners know how to work a plunger or pour drain cleaner down a drain. However, more often than not, these steps fail to clear a clogged drain. Either the drain won't unclog or it continually re-clogs after a little time has passed. When this happens, it is usually because something unusual as either been flushed or pushed down into the drain (think children). When this happens to you, more dramatic drain cleaning measures are required.

Drain Cleaning

If liquid drain cleaner doesn't work (and it won't, if there is a toy shoved down your drain), physical drain cleaning is the only way to clear the clog. If your clog is a sink, remove and check the trap. Hopefully the trap did its job and caught the obstruction. Clean or replace the trap and you've solved your problem.

If the clog isn't in a sink, or is beyond the sink trap, you may be able to reach it with a plumbing snake or augur. A plumbing auger needs to be used with care. Your plumbing pipes are not indestructible. Carefully feed the auger through your pipes until it bumps up against the clog. Once you've hit the clog, try to either push the obstruction through or hook into it and pull it out.

Drain Cleaners and Maintenance

Drain cleaner manufacturers don't want you to know this, but for most homeowners, drain cleaning chemicals are unnecessary. Baking soda mixed with either boiling water or vinegar will usually work just as well if not better. If you are sure your clog is due to hair and a baking soda mixture isn't working, try a hair removal product like Nair. It is far less toxic than drain chemicals and will work better.

Drain maintenance means using an enzyme culture once a month in all your drains. Doing this will help ensure your drains remain clean, clear, and open. It's also great for eliminating odors in areas like your garbage disposal.

A word of caution: never mix different drain cleaners. Each may contain different chemicals that when combined, react violently and cause serious damage to your pipes, septic system, or you.

Professional Drain Cleaning

Sometimes a clog is just too severe and you can't clear it yourself. You require a professional with professional tools. If the clog is far down your sewer line, hydrojetting is a great option that can clear virtually any clog. It's also a great way to clean out all your drain lines. If you have slow-running drains, hydrojetting can easily and safely clean out the interior of your pipes, returning all of them to their full and original flow.


We at All Trades in Las Vegas, Nevada are hydrojetting specialists. We can clear clogs that seem impossible, or which are over a hundred feet deep into your lines. Hydrojetting is safe and non-toxic. It uses only high pressure water. We service Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, and most of Clark County Nevada.