How To Unclog Any Drain For $4! (Plumber's Don't Want You To Know), by Alan Russell on YouTube. 9 min 21 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 21 s
- Time to do it
- 40 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Run hot water at the kitchen sink for ten seconds, then shut it off. Watch the basin. If water pools and drains slowly, you already have a grease clog forming.
Put on rubber gloves. Pour about half a cup of washing soda straight down the drain opening. A funnel helps keep it in the drain.
Follow the powder with a cup or two of hot water. Do not use boiling water here. It helps the soda dissolve and start working on the grease.
Leave it alone for about 30 minutes. The soda needs time to soften the grease coating the inside of the pipe.
Heat a large pot of water until it is hot but not rolling boiling. Pour it slowly down the drain in stages, letting it run between pours.
Run the hot tap for two to three minutes to flush the loosened grease through the pipe. Check that the basin now drains freely.
If the water still sits, repeat the soda and hot water treatment once more. Stubborn grease layers may need a second round.
Keep the drain clear by pouring a little hot water down the sink after cooking with oil or fat. Catch grease in a jar instead of rinsing it down.
Tips and common mistakes
Never mix washing soda with bleach or other drain chemicals. The combination can release dangerous fumes.
Skip boiling water on older porcelain or plastic pipes. Sudden heat can crack the sink or warp the fittings.
Washing soda is not the same as baking soda. Check the box label for sodium carbonate.
A drain snake only pushes through the grease. It does not remove it, so the clog often returns within days.
Questions
Can I use baking soda and vinegar instead?
You can, but it works mainly as a fizzing rinse. Washing soda is stronger on grease and is the better choice for a slow kitchen sink.
How often should I treat the drain?
Once a month is enough for most kitchens. Treat it sooner if water starts draining slowly again.
Is washing soda safe for plastic pipes?
Yes, in normal amounts. The risk comes from very hot water, not the soda, so keep the water hot rather than boiling.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
