How to Unclog a Basement Drain

Regular maintenance keeps your house's biggest drain clog-free.

Basement drain clogs can occur due to a buildup of dirt and debris. Most of the time, it is not necessary to call a plumber to fix a clogged basement drain. Basement floor drains that get clogged often cause a flood of the entire basement because the water has nowhere else to go. These drains are close to the street water drains so they are generally the biggest drains in the house, used to clear away air conditioning water and washing machine water, making them important to keep clean.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Crescent wrench
• Plumber's snake
• Water

Instructions

1. Ask anyone in the house not to run any water while you are working on unclogging the drain.

2. Put on gloves.

3. Remove the drain's grate and/or clean-out plug using a crescent wrench.

4. Insert a few feet of a plumber's snake into the drain until you feel some sort of resistance. Pour a small amount of water down the drain to help move the snake along.

5. Crank the snake clockwise to move the auger. Continue threading the snake down the drain to break up any clogs that are there. If you meet solid resistance that you can't break through, rewind the snake. Some of this solid material may stick to the end of the snake. Discard when it reaches you so that it is removed from the drain.

6. Pour hot water into the drain to clear out any remaining debris from the pipes. Your basement drain should now be completely clear.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best not to use harsh chemical cleaners in drain pipes.

References

• Home Tips: How To Unclog A Floor Drain