Drains clog with hair because strands get snagged on drain parts and, crucially, tangle with sticky soap scum, grease, and body oils, forming a dense, fibrous mass that physically blocks water flow over time. Hair itself is sticky and fibrous, but it's the combination with these other substances that creates the stubborn blockage, with dirt and product residue making it worse.
FAQs About Hair Clogs in Drains
Brush your hair before showering, use a hair trap, and flush the drain with a bacteria-based drain cleaner regularly.
Plumbers advise against using chemical drain cleaners because they corrode pipes (especially older metal ones), pose serious health risks (burns, fumes), harm the environment, and are often ineffective on tough clogs, potentially making the problem worse by sitting in the pipe and creating hazardous situations for plumbers who then have to clear it.
It is okay to pour boiling water down the sink if your plumbing is clear. However, a blockage can trap the water in the pipe. This can melt PVC pipes and seals, causing serious damage. Additionally, using boiling water to unclog a toilet can melt the wax seal around the toilet.
Pour down a cup of Bi-Carb soda down the drain clogged with hair, followed by a cup of vinegar. The bi-carb will 'sizzle' up and lead to a chemical reaction helping with cleaning the drains and removing hair clogs. Follow the procedure with a rush of hot water down the pipes to clear away any residue.
Remedies such as vinegar and baking soda are a good way to clear a hair clog, and there are specialist products like bottled drain cleaners or a plumbing snake which help with the process. Using hot water makes sense, but be careful when using boiling water, both for yourself, and its impact on pipes.
Hydro-jetting is an extremely effective method for clearing out residential and commercial pipes. Traditional drain-clearing machines like cable cleaners use spinning blades to cut through blockages. This means CCTV can't be used at the same time as the blades would damage the camera cable.
Follow these easy steps to unclog your drain:
11 Ways To Prevent Clogged Drains
Additionally, if the clog contains grease or hardened debris, boiling water may not fully clear the blockage. Repeated attempts at this method could strain your plumbing. Avoid this method for PVC pipes, as high heat can damage them.
You should never flush wet wipes (even "flushable" ones) and sanitary products (like tampons/pads) because they don't break down, causing serious blockages in pipes and sewage systems. Other items to avoid include paper towels, tissues, cotton buds, dental floss, hair, and cooking oils/fats, as they all contribute to clogs and environmental issues.
Some of the best Drano alternatives include using a plunger or pipe snake, soap or salt mixed with boiling water, or baking soda and white vinegar. Also, for maximum effectiveness, you can combine several of these methods together to get rid of the clog.
Unlike surface clogs, which affect individual fixtures, a deep blockage impacts multiple drains at once, leading to more serious plumbing problems. If you notice slow drains, unusual backups, or foul odors, these could be signs of a deep blockage that requires immediate attention.
We highly recommend this practice, and often people ask “why pour salt down the drain?” The answer is that salt will break down grease and emulsified fats by itself, and especially when combined with vinegar and hot water it can contribute to clearer pipes.
Drano is a household cleaning product that has been used for decades to unclog drains and pipes. It is known for its ability to dissolve hair, soap scum, grease, and other materials that can accumulate in pipes, causing blockages.
Repeated use of the baking soda-vinegar combination can gradually degrade your pipes, leading to leaks or even burst pipes in severe cases. Additionally, the fizzing action caused by this mixture may be misleading.
1. Hair and Soap Scum. One of the most common causes of clogged drains is the buildup of hair and soap scum. This can occur in bathroom sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
DEAR HELOISE: I just had some work done in my kitchen, and the plumber said not to pour boiling water down your drain because it could cause the plastic pipes to warp and start to leak. You should run cold water down the drain first, then pour out the boiling water.
Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid)
Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.
Items to Never Flush or Pour Down the Drain:
If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar. The two ingredients will create a chemical reaction that's excellent at cleaning out clogs.
A plumber to unclog a drain generally costs $100 to $500 for basic to moderate issues, with simple kitchen/toilet clogs starting around $100-$200, but escalating to $300-$800+ for severe blockages needing cameras, hydro-jetting, or main line work, plus potential after-hours fees. Key factors are clog severity, drain type (sink vs. main line), equipment needed (snake, camera, hydro-jet), accessibility, and if it's an emergency.
How Do You Know if Your Drain Is Clogged?
While WD-40 won't serve as a long-term solution for severe clogs, it can help with minor blockages caused by hair, soap scum, or grease build up. This is a short term solution and while we think WD40 is wonderful, we would prefer that customers don't continuously use it down the drain as it is bad for the environment.