How to Unclog a Floor Drain

When floor drains or shower stalls clog, they can creat giant messes that spread throughout the house. While in some cases a plumber's expertise is needed, this method is a good first shot before calling in professional help. Water pressure from a garden hose can sometimes blast that clog to bits, allowing water to drain freely in the pipe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Thick rubber gloves
• Garden hose
• Rags
• Protective eyeglasses

1. Remove the drain cover. Put on a pair of thick, rubber workman's gloves and check the drain to make sure the clog isn't near the surface. If it is, it may be possible to reach in and remove or loosen the clog by hand.

2. Connect the garden hose to a faucet or spigot. Feed the hose down into the drain until it won't go any further.

3. Plug up all openings around the hose with rags. Fit them in the opening tightly so that they don't slip down the drain and worsen the clog.

4. Put on a pair of protective eyeglasses. This step will give proper protection in case water or debris shoots out of the drain during the procedure. Stand at least 10 feet away from the drain.

5. Turn on the hose full blast for a couple minutes, listening for a draining noise. Turn off the water and remove the rags.

6. Turn the hose back on and watch to see if the water drains or overflows. If it drains, the problem is likely fixed. If it doesn't, either repeat the procedure or call a plumber.

Tips & Warnings

• Never stand near the drain while attempting to remove a clog. The water pressure can force the rags or other debris to fly out of the hole if the clog is tight.