How to Unclog a Drain That Has Hair Plugging It

Make sure your drains are working properly by unclogging any problems.

Drains can become clogged quite easily. Hair can often be the biggest culprit of clogged drains. Other things like mold, fatty acids, soap scum and other gunk will line the drain walls making them smaller in size. When this happens, the hair will have a more difficult time being flushed down the drain. In order to fix the clogged hair, the other gunk in the drain needs to be cleared. Luckily, this is not a difficult task--and it certainly doesn't warrant the need for an expensive plumber.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• Duct tape
• Medium-sized pot
• Water

Instructions

1. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.

2. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down the drain immediately after the baking soda.

3. Place a few pieces of duct tape over the drain to cover. When the baking soda and vinegar mix they bubble up (think high school volcano science project). The duct tape will force the solution to travel down the drain rather than up and out.

4. Allow the solution to set in the drain for several minutes. While you're waiting, fill a medium-sized pot with water. Place the pot on your stove, turn the heat to "high" and wait for the water to boil.

5. Untape the drains, and pour the boiling water (carefully) down the drain. The baking soda/vinegar mixture will dissolve the fatty acids, soap scum and gunk sticking to the sides of the drain. The boiling water will wash the solution and the hair away.

References

• Handy Man U.S.A.: Clearing Clogged Drains
• Online Tips.org: Fixing Bathroom Drain Clogs