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How to Fix a Clogged Drain

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Category: Home Improvement, Bathroom Basics

Why resort to chemical drain cleaners that can harm your pipes when you can fix that blockage yourself? Eric Stromer shows you his trade secret for getting it done with a few simple tools and some know-how!

Step 1: Sink Clogs
Take a pair of channel locks and undo both connectors at the P-trap. Simply empty or clear out the piece in a bucket, and replace when clean.

Step 2: Sink Clogs Past the P-Trap
If your clog is past the P-trap, get a drain-clearing bladder. After removing the P-trap, place the item into the pipe in the wall, and attach a garden hose to the other end. Turn on the hose to blast the clog out.

Step 3: Bathtubs and Toilets
Clogs in your bathtub or toilet can be cleared by using snakes, which come in specific varieties. Just head to your local hardware store to pick one up.

Items You'll Need for this GMC Trade Secret

  • Channel Lock Pliers
  • Bucket
  • Drain-Clearing Bladder
  • Auger or Snake

More Trade Secrets

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32 Comments

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Ross

Eric doesn't know how to unclog a toilet. You put the rubber end of the toilet auger at the bottom of the bowl or you will scrach up the toilet bowl real bad.The video showing him clean the kithen drain is all wrong. If you preasurize the drain with the bladder, you will get water going up the vent pipe and over your roof. What a mess that would make. There is no way you can get that bladder in the drain anyway without taking that elbow off first. He is such a joke. I have been a plumber for 36 years. I never have to worry about Eric taking work away from me.
Once people try and then screw up, it's me they will be calling.

November 03 2012 at 8:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bsilver05

Hasn't anyone from GMC checked out to see if Eric knows anything about plumbing? These GMC trade secrets are a joke. In this video Eric shows how to use a hand snake and a toilet auger in a way that will just scratch the sink or toilet you are working on and not unclog anything. Blow bags don't remove hair, which is usually the problem in lavatory sink drains. Eric drives a nice looking pickup. Why doesn't he drive himself somewhere where he can learn a little about plumbing before he tries to teach others about it? After seeing these videos, my next van is going to be a Ford.

August 15 2011 at 3:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to bsilver05's comment
edjewels

I agree...this guy would mess up your sink or toilet with those snakes and stuff.You must be a plummer.

October 03 2011 at 9:36 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tony174

I agree Eric doesn't know anything about proper tool handling or techniques used to properly clear a basic stoppage.

November 24 2011 at 10:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Russ the plumber

Erick Stromer has a great personality but is no plumber (I expect nothing less from holly wood) Don't be telling people to use a hose bladder/ blow bag on a vented line it will just go up the vent and or flood out other areas of the house. Wow! GMC should be ashamed of this absolute disregard for facts that will really make a bad situation terribly worst. You should be selling coke or pepsi anything but advice on plumbing.

August 15 2011 at 2:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jimmduddy

Good info for the home owner. Here is like a rock in your shoe, have you ever tried to stretch the plastic
hose from the dryer to the outlet where the hot air goes out from the house. It never fits and I am sure someone
must know the trick. Please share. One more, how about when your faucet on the bathtub keeps falling off. A
quick fix is to use a pair of pliers to attempt to unscrew until water begins to run. Not at all impressive when
you have company.

August 15 2011 at 12:39 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Peggy Parker

That is great to know. Thanks Eric.

August 14 2011 at 10:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aauron

Just too add a comment to unclog a toilet. A suggestion when using a plunger, run the rubber under hot water as hot as you can get it. It helps suction the plunger more securely and effective. Thanks for all your other suggestions. They help.

August 14 2011 at 9:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aauron

Just too add a comment to unclog a toilet. A suggestion when using a plunger, run the rubber under hot water as hot as you can get it. It helps suction the plunger more securely and effective. Thanks for all your other suggestions. They help.

August 14 2011 at 9:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JOYSHREE KRISHNA

just pump n pump ha ha ha ??????

August 14 2011 at 8:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JOYSHREE KRISHNA

whts up ?

August 14 2011 at 8:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JT

do I need joint sealer to place P-Trap pipe back on?

August 14 2011 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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