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How to Snake a Clogged Drain | Ask This Old House

This Old House · 786K views · 2:15

Skill Level

Beginner

Time Required

< 1 hr

Estimated Cost

$0–50

Permit Required

No

Tools Needed

drum auger, snake, strainer removal tool
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to clear a stopped bathtub or shower drain. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse Cost: $15 Skill Level: Beginner Tools List for Snaking a Drain: Drum Auger Steps: 1. Richard recommends avoiding drain cleaning chemicals when possible. 2. He instead suggests using a drum auger, also called a snake, for clearing a stoppage. 3. For a shower, remove the strainer and run the snake down the drain until the stoppage clears. 4. In a bathtub, remove the overflow and run the snake through that opening. Resources: Drum augers can be found at a home center or plumbing supply store. About Ask This Old House TV: Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook. Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House: Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter http://bit.ly/AskTOHTwitter Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG http://bit.ly/AskTOHIG Tumblr: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTumblr For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseWebsite How to Snake a Clogged Drain | Ask This Old House https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/