how do you unclog a laundry room drain

To unclog a laundry drain try the easiest, least expensive options first.

• First try a handheld drum auger to clean the laundry drain.
  • A 25 foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for around $30.
  • The auger can pass through most small-diameter traps that are present in laundry drain lines. And, if the clog contains fibers or hair the spiral tip ...
  • To clean a clogged laundry drain with a handheld drum auger:
  • Read and follow the drum auger safety instructions, then put on work gloves and eye protection.
  • Unplug and move any appliances to access the drain, place towels under the drain opening to handle any spills, and then carefully remove the washing ...

Full Answer

How to unclog a washing machine drain easily?

Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Using Drain Cleaners

1. Find the drain. Usually the drain of a washing machine is a pipe behind the machine that the hose on the machine pours into.
2. Pour hot water down the drain. If your washing machine is draining slowly but it is not completely clogged, you can try simply pouring very hot water down the ...
3. Buy a commercial drain cleaner. ...
4. Detach the drain. ...

More items...

How to use a plunger to unclog a drain?

• Put on those waterproof gloves and gather petroleum jelly, a rag, and a cup-type plunger.
• Remove the pop-up drain from the sink.
• Use a wet rag to stop up the overflow drain in your sink.
• Put petroleum jelly on the bottom lip of the plunger; this will help to create an airtight seal against the sink bottom.

More items...

How to clean clogged drains with vinegar?

How to Unclog a Drain with Salt and Vinegar

• Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Using a Salt and Vinegar Mix. Mix salt and vinegar. In a small bowl, pour 1 cup of salt. ...
• Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Unclogging with Salt and Boiling Water. Pour salt down the drain. ...
• Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Mixing Baking Soda, Salt, and Vinegar. Pour dry ingredients down the drain. Use a narrow cup or glass for mixing. ...

How do I unclog my washing machine drain line?

Method 2 Method 2 of 2: Snaking a Drain

1. Detach the drain hose from the machine. [3] ... ...
2. Put a snake down the drain. [5] ... ...
3. Snake the drain until all resistance is gone. It may take several turns of the handle on the snake to get a clogged area attached to the snake.
4. Reattach the hose. Once you are sure that the clog is gone you should reattach the hose to the machine.

How do you unclog a laundry drain pipe?

If you don't feel prepared to manually take apart your laundry unit and use a drain snake to clear dense debris from your clogged washing machine drain, you can also try flushing out your drainage systems with non-caustic home cleaning mixtures, typically made of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water.

How do you snake a laundry room drain?

How to Operate a Drain SnakePush its end into the drain opening and turn the handle on the drum to release it into the pipe.Keep pushing the head of the snake deeper into the pipe until you feel resistance.Rotate the snake clockwise or counterclockwise until you feel the clog break free.More items...•

How do you know if your laundry drain is clogged?

The number one sign of a clogged drain affecting your washing machine is finding water inside the unit after the washing cycle is complete. During the cycle, water is flooded into the chamber of the machine, mixing in with the detergent to clean your clothing.

Why is my laundry drain backing up?

The washing machine uses too much water for the drain The pipe that drains your washer might be too small for the water capacity of the machine. Imagine trying to pour a gallon of water through a small funnel all at once. The water can't exit the funnel fast enough, so it overflows.

Will vinegar unclog a washing machine drain?

If pulling apart drain pipes and hoses isn't your thing, there are other options you can try. For instance, you can try to flush out your system with a mixture of baking soda, hot water, and vinegar. The acids in these substances can work to break down clogs, and get your machine running the way it was meant to.

Can you put baking soda and vinegar down washing machine drain?

For Minor Clogs Now if hot water won't solve the problem, you may also use the popular duo, baking soda and vinegar. Pour a box of baking soda into the washing machine drain pipe. After that, follow through with 2 to 3 cups of vinegar. Plug the drain pipe immediately and let the fizzing reaction take place.

What is the best drain cleaner for washing machine drain?

Best Overall Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover. Best Drain Cleaner for Hair Clogs: Liquid Plumr Clog Destroyer + Hair Clog Eliminator. Best Single-Use Drain Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Opening Pacs. Best Enzymatic Drain Cleaner: Bio Clean.

How do you unclog a drain if a snake doesn't work?

What to do when snaking a drain doesn't workClean the drain snake. If you haven't cleaned it since using it last, the old clog may still be embedded on the corkscrew end. ... Tighten the thumbscrew. To feed the wire into the drain, tighten the thumbscrew that locks the wire in place. ... Use a different type of auger.

Can't get the snake down the drain?

Too much force – When you're trying to dislodge a blockage, it can be tempting to try and force a snake cable through the drain too fast. If you force it, sometimes the cable can bend back on itself or kink. Instead of forcing the cable, extend the snake cable a few inches at a time until you reach the clog.

How do you snake past a 90 degree turn?

The proper way to use a snake is to insert the head into the drain and push very slowly without cranking. If you try to force it, it can bend back on itself and actually come out of the drain. Push gently and slowly, and if the auger is the right one for the job, it should slide smoothly through the pipe.

How do you unclog a zip tie drain?

Use a zip tie to unclog a drain: Fasten together several long zip ties in a chain; you'll need about five to reach the trap. Cut barb-like notches along the ties with wire cutters. Snake one end into the drain and move it up and down to loosen debris and hair clogs.

What is a needle nose drain cleaner?

A Needle Nose™ drain cleaner is a sewer jetter with a stronger, braided steel jacket and a special compact nozzle tip that allows it to pass through nearly as many drain elbows and transitions as the hand-held auger.

How much does a 25 foot auger cost?

A 25 foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for around $30. The auger can pass through most small-diameter traps that are present in laundry drain lines. And, if the clog contains fibers or hair the spiral tip might pull out some of the residue.

What is a sewer jetter?

Unlike a mechanical auger, the sewer jetter scrubs the sides of dirty pipes and flushes out grimy residue so fewer clogs come back. You can see the differences between a mechanical auger and the sewer jetter as they both take on a greasy clog in this 2 minute video.

How to feed a drum auger?

Feed the auger into the drain by locking the cable, turning the drum in a clockwise direction, and then unlocking and feeding the cable as needed to pass the auger tip through traps and elbows. After you have inserted the drum auger its full length into the drain, pull out the auger cable as you feed it back into the drum.

How to prevent water from leaking from pressure washer?

And, if you're using a gas-powered pressure washer, only operate it outdoors. Connect the drain cleaner to the pressure washer trigger gun. To avoid getting water on indoor floors, check your trigger gun and supply hoses for leaks while still outside.

How to find a good plumber?

If you are unable to find a recommendation from someone you know, search local directories like Google Maps, Yelp and CitySearch for licensed plumbers nearby who have good online reviews . Don't always trust reviews from individuals who published very few other reviews, or from people who give only positive reviews to everyone. Be aware that good service providers sometimes get a small number of negative reviews for reasons that might not be relevant to your situation. Look for a company with several reviews that tell a positive, believable story about repairs that are similar to yours.

Can needle nose drain cleaner be used in laundry?

Important: you should try the Needle Nose drain cleaner only if you were able to insert the drum auger its full 25 foot length into the laundry drain. And, you should have an alternate, clogged drain opening available (such as the opening under a nearby clogged sink) in case the sewer jetter can't pass through the laundry drain trap.

How to break up a clogged drain?

Put a pipe snake through the drain so that it can travel through the u-shaped pipe under the sink, as far as possible. As soon as you hit the clog, just turn the handle of the pipe snake to break it up.

What is the purpose of articles being reviewed?

To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.

Can you unclog a laundry sink without a plumber?

It is possible to unclog laundry room sinks without the help of professional plumbers. Of course it depends largely on the severity of the clog, but different methods and various tools will help you to clear the blockage.

What Causes a Clogged Laundry Room Sink?

The sink into which the washing machine drains can clog for a variety of reasons, just like any other sink in your home. The following are the most frequent causes of utility sink clogs:

How to Fix a Clogged Laundry Room Sink

You can still fix a slow-draining utility sink if you skipped any important preventative steps or your best efforts failed. Here are ways to unclog a clogged laundry room sink:

Final Thoughts

While a do-it-yourself repair is cost-effective, it won’t always work for your situation. The bottom line is no two clogs are the same. Some require less effort and expertise, while some require more. If none of the above plumbing tips work, a skilled plumber can safely and securely remove the blockage.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with a clogged laundry room sink.

Is it possible to put Drano in the floor drain?

Drano® Clog Removers are capable of quickly unclogging a drain. Drano® Clog Removers can be used to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, or clogged bathtub, but they should not be used in toilets.

What is the best drain cleaner for a washing machine drain?

About Drano The solution is best suited to blockages caused by lint, soap scum, or dirt. Drano’s liquid clog remover should not be used on its own to remove a washing machine drain obstruction caused by a piece of clothing. About Drano

Is it necessary to install a vent in a floor drain?

The floor drain trap will require its own vent, but once you’re above floor level with it, you can make horizontal runs and tie into other vent pipes if the sizing is right. Some codes allow for a mechanical venting device, which eliminates the need to run the vent outside in some way.

What is the best way to waterproof a laundry floor?

To avoid problems in this area, waterproof your laundry room floor. Membrane. To keep the subfloor waterproof, a waterproofing membrane is designed to be used under flooring rather than as a sheet. It is applied out of a bucket.

In my garage, how do I install a floor drain?

Dig a trench outside to match where you cut the hole and then cut a hole in the floor where you want the water to drain. Run a 3/4 inch PVC pipe under your slab with the hose until you reach the hole. You may need to add pipe together at times, but it’s simple with glue.

In a basement, how do you install a floor drain?

Step 1: Make a plan for the basement floor drain. You must first determine the location of your basement floor drain.

Is there a connection between floor drains and sewer?

Floor Drains and Sewer Gas If you smell sewer gasses on your floor drain, the trap beneath the drain is dry, or the cleanout plug is missing. Prevent sewer odor by pouring a pitcher of water down the drain every few weeks if nothing drains into the floor drain. Sewer and floor drains

What Is The Floor Drain For?

A floor drain is generally located at the lowest point of the floor, and it is used to remove standing water which could be caused by a leaking pipe, water heater, furnace, washing machine, water softener, or a sump pump not working correctly.

Why Does My Floor Drain Smell Like a Sewer?

There are several different reasons why your floor drain might smell like a sewer, but the most likely reason is because of a dried up P-trap that is allowing sewer odors to pass through and into your home.

Can You Drain Washer Into Floor Drain?

Draining a washer into a floor drain depends on where the floor drain connects. For example, if the floor drain connects to a sump pit that discharges the wastewater to the outside of the home, then you can not drain your washing machine into the floor drain.

Can I Connect My Laundry Tub Drain To The Floor Drain?

A laundry tub should only drain to a floor drain when the floor drain connects directly to the main sewer system pipe. You should never have your laundry tub drain into a floor drain that connects to a sump pit. The reason for this is because you don’t ever want to have cleaning products, chemicals or anything else pumping out of a sump pit and onto the property surrounding your home.

What is the most common set up in a residential home?

The most common set up in a residential home is that the floor drain connects to a pipe that will remove the wastewater to a main sewer system underground that is shared by other homes in the area, or to a separate septic tank located on the property. #2.

How to remove a drain bladder from a pipe?

Leave this running for about 1 to 2 minutes. #5. With the water turned off, slowly remove the drain bladder from the pipe by turning it clockwise as you lift it out.

What to use to break up a P trap?

Alternatively, you can try using either Drano or Liquid Plumber to help break up the blockage. That might help if the clog is in the P-trap.

What is a clog in a washing machine?

The clog is usually made up of either lint or even the filth from your clothes which all go first through the filter then the water pump and eventually the drain itself. Anyone who got some detergent on their hands while pouring it in the machine knows that it tends to get sticky when dry.

Why is my washing machine drain clogged?

More often than not people would much rather unclog the drain by themselves than call the plumber, mainly because plumbing services tend to be expensive. Over time lots of nasty materials build up in the drain causing a clog ...

Why is my water filter clogged?

The filter acts as a water purifier and not cleaning it for a certain amount of time can lead to it being clogged and not being able to trap the lint resulting in the buildup and a clogged drain also.

How to keep a drain clean?

1. Use Enzymes Regularly. First things first, in order to keep the drain clean you should pour some of those enzymes based chemicals at least once a month. Check and clean the filter monthly or weekly depending on how frequently you use the washing machine.

Why does my drain clog up?

Over time lots of nasty materials build up in the drain causing a clog and water not being able to go down which leads to water coming back up and creating a flood which is a huge mess to clean up .

How to get a clogged hose out of a hose?

Don’t lose hope. In that case, your best solution is to use some kind of pole or even a coat hanger to push or pull out the clogged mess. Rinse and repeat until the hose is emptied from all the junk.

How to get gunk out of a washing machine?

Take the water pipe off the machine by using pliers and connect it to a hose to rinse out the gunk.