Dish Soap and Hot Water. If your issue is not too complicated and the drain is simply dirty, you can use liquid soap and boiling hot water to clean the drain. Repeat the steps below until the smells from the drains clear out: Fill your sink with a couple of inches of hot, boiling water. Add liquid soap until you get a bubbly mixture.He describes the technique: “Boil a lot of hot water, plug up the sink, put hot water in. Drain the water while the disposal is running.”. If you don’t have a disposal, just pour the water right in. The quick rush of hotter-than-usual water will flush out the food and the grease buildup. Credit: Cat Meschia. 4.11 Aug 2023 ... The smell is often due to a buildup of bacteria, mold, or mildew in your pipes. They feed on the debris that frequently washes down your drain: ... Potential Problem #5: Sulfur Water. Sometimes, the smell that appears to be coming from the drain is actually because of the water running down it. Homes with well pumps often suffer from the problem of sulfur in the water underground. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs, making the bathroom or even the whole house smell. 18 Jul 2023 ... Vinegar and baking soda are not only kitchen staples but also potent natural cleaning agents. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, ...Solution 1: Remove Potential Drain Clogs. If you have smelly shower drains, the most likely cause is a blockage or a buildup of some kind. In these instances, you should deal with any kind of blockages within the …Nobody likes the smell of a smelly drain, but it’s an unfortunately common problem. Fortunately, there are some easy and quick ways to get rid of the smell. Here are a few tips on ... Potential Problem #5: Sulfur Water. Sometimes, the smell that appears to be coming from the drain is actually because of the water running down it. Homes with well pumps often suffer from the problem of sulfur in the water underground. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs, making the bathroom or even the whole house smell. Jan 30, 2024 · 1. Boiling Water. One of the simplest ways to tackle a smelly drain is with boiling water. Simply boil hot water on a stove or in an electric kettle and pour the water directly over the drain. 2. Baking Soda, Vinegar and Boiling Water. There are a few ways you can use baking soda to clear a drain. 31 Dec 2015 ... Need a Charlotte Plumber? · You may have gunk in your drains · It could be related to the drain trap and venting system · Shampoos and soaps ca...Tub/shower drain: Hair clogs lead to soap buildup and badly gunked pipes. Clean thoroughly with a snake for this smelly drain fix. Clean thoroughly with a snake for this smelly drain fix. Kitchen sink: Food disposers (dispose-alls) are …13 Jun 2016 ... If, for some reason, it's leaking around the drain pipe, you may have rot beneath the pan. Have you noticed any hint of moisture in the ceiling ...Bathroom & Kitchen Drains, including stinky sink drains and smelly toilet drains; Backed-up Sewers; Appliances; The cause of the smell could be one of the above or a variety of different factors. We’ve included a list of some of the most popular causes below, and the best ways to deal with them, including tips for how to clean smelly drains.Slowly pour 1 cup of bleach down the drain a few inches away from the drain itself in a circular motion. This action will allow the bleach to reach the sides of the drain where the smell may be originating. Video of the Day. Leave the sink alone for about 30 minutes; do not turn on the water. Waiting allows the bleach to fully penetrate without ...Besides drain clogs, another possible cause of a smelly bathroom is a dry P-trap. When your shower drains smell like sewage, it is a red flag that the P-trap is not performing its primary function – blocking sewer gases from reaching the shower. If that's the source of the bad smell, then the only solution is to clean the dry P-trap.Boil 4 cups of white vinegar and pour half down the drain. Flush pipe with cold tap water to solidify any lingering gunk, then pour the rest of the boiling vinegar to wash it out. 4. Check the ...Immediately cover the drain with a rag or drain stopper. As the two materials react, you’ll hear some fizzing and bubbling. This is the sound of your mixture working its magic on those foul odors! Step 5: Wait. Let the mixture sit in the drain for 10-15 minutes. This will give it time to break down whatever is causing the stinky drain smell: .6 Common causes of nasty smells in your basement drain and how to fix them. 1. Accumulation of organic matter. When organic matter, such as food particles or grease, accumulates in your basement drain, it can lead to unpleasant odors. To fix this, start by removing any visible debris from the drain using a pair of gloves and a drain brush.1/2 cup baking soda. Boiling water. 2 cups of white vinegar mixed with 1 cup of boiling hot water. tb1234. To easily remove a mildew smell from your house if it seems to be a drain issue, pour a large pot of water (boiling) down the drain and then pour the baking soda into the water-filled drain.The shower drain is often blamed for the stinky smell that comes out of the bathroom. Sometimes, it’s not the drain itself but actually the faucet. Like the drain, gunk can build up in the shower faucet. Since this …Nov 24, 2023 · Prevention Tips to Avoid Smelly Shower Drains. Preventing smelly shower drains is just as important as knowing how to remove the odors. Here are some tips to help you keep your shower drains fresh. 1. Use Drain Screens. Installing drain screens in your shower can catch hair and debris before they enter the drain, reducing the risk of clogs and ... Using a cleaner to thoroughly clean the area, and in ideal settings removing the drain to clean outside of the shower, may help if this is what is causing a sewer gas smell in the shower. 5. Perhaps it’s a blocked vent. A cracked or improperly-installed vent is not the only way a vent can cause a drain smell in the house.Bathroom & Kitchen Drains, including stinky sink drains and smelly toilet drains; Backed-up Sewers; Appliances; The cause of the smell could be one of the above or a variety of different factors. We’ve included a list of some of the most popular causes below, and the best ways to deal with them, including tips for how to clean smelly drains.10 Apr 2019 ... The other part then sits inside that which is supposed to create the seal to stop foul smells. The white curved part just under the chrome is ...Oct 16, 2020 · If your shower drain smells like a sewer, there could be built-up residue, clogged drains, a dirty p-trap, failed plumbing, or a sewer issue. Begin by pulling out any debris and residue in your drain with a strainer. Next, pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain. If the smell persists, clean your pipes or call a plumber. You can also use baking soda and vinegar to create a bubbling reaction to help clean away the biofilm. Put about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour the ...Potential Problem #5: Sulfur Water. Sometimes, the smell that appears to be coming from the drain is actually because of the water running down it. Homes with well pumps often suffer from the problem of sulfur in the water underground. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs, making the bathroom or even the whole house smell.3. Grease. Unique to other drain muck, grease, fats and oils so easily congeal … and stink. If you’re guilty of pouring oily, greasy gunk down your drains, try to repair the damage with some of those drain maintenance tips above. And stop pouring it …Bad-smelling drains can indicate a problem with the main sewer line. If the methods above don’t stop the smell, or if you’ve noticed multiple drains with sewer odors, then the issue is likely damage to the sewer line. The sewer line removes the waste water from your home and transports it to the city sewer system (or septic tank).Nov 12, 2021 · Remove Build-Up from the Bathroom Pipes. Clean-Up Your Bathroom Sink Basin. Use a Drain Snake. Step One: Put the drain snake into the drain. Step Two: Push the drain snake or auger down the drain. Step Three: Rotate the drain snake/auger. Step Four: Run hot water. How To Prevent Smelly Bathroom Drains. Leave the mixture to fizz and bubble for about 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. This method can help to break down minor clogs in your stinky shower drain. Use a drain snake – A drain snake, also known as a drain auger, is a long, flexible tool that can be put into the drain to physically break up or retrieve the blockage.In most cases, the easiest way to remove the rotten egg smell from your plumbing is to shock the well with a chlorine solution. This solution will kill the ...Dump one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let the concoction fizz. After one hour, flush the drain with hot water. The fizzing reaction helps …Gurgling, foul smells and the shower is slow to drain. The P-Trap is clogged or installed incorrectly. Only the shower is affected and you have a tub-shower combo. No gurgling or smells. The tub-lever may have malfunctioned. The shower in addition to close by plumbing fixtures are slow to drain. The toilet may bubble and the shower gurgles.Step 4. Eliminate odor with baking soda. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the shower drain followed by a gallon of hot water, to absorb and remove odors and freshen the smell of the drain. Make it a regular weekly routine to use baking soda in order to freshen drains and prevent drain odor from building up in the first place.1. Your Drain Is Clogged. The most obvious reason your shower drain smells is a basic clog. Hair, soap scum, and foreign objects can block the free flow of …The shower drain can have all sorts of disgusting smells. From a musty scent to that of rotten eggs, stale and stagnant water, or even accumulated soap scum. The most prevalent smell is the musty type, also known as a mildew odor. A mildew-like scent is a clear indication of the growth of mold and …Sink or shower drains often begin to smell badly over time. The horrible smell is the result of a smelly build up of sludge in the drain and accumulation of ...16 Jan 2024 ... When you have a stinky shower drain, it is most likely caused by a buildup of biofilm in the drain pipe or not enough water in the p-trap, ...Pour half a cup of baking soda down your drain. Let the baking soda sit for about a half-hour. Pour boiling water down the drain. Let this sit for another half-hour. If the smell persists, repeat the process or try adding vinegar and baking soda at the same time. Let it sit – Wait for 10 minutes. After that, use a toothbrush to scrub the whole drain properly. Make sure to be thorough. Use hot water – Repeat the scrubbing part as much as you need to loosen up the mold. After that, use a whole pot of hot water (not boiling water) to rinse the mold out of the shower drain. 17 May 2023 ... Maintenance: How to Prevent Shower Drain Smells in the Future · Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain · Follow this with 1/2 cup of white .....Sep 26, 2023 · 2. Boil some water. When you are confident that your drain isn’t clogged, you can then move on to the first step in the cleaning process. And all you need to do is boil some water. Pop on your best kettle and boil around four cups of water before pouring the whole thing down your shower drain. Pour half a cup of baking soda down your drain. Let the baking soda sit for about a half-hour. Pour boiling water down the drain. Let this sit for another half-hour. If the smell persists, repeat the process or try adding vinegar and baking soda at the same time.When your car idles, the engine and alternator run slowly. The alternator provides enough electricity to charge the battery. If you use high-powered accessories, the idling alterna...Here is how to clean your drain using just baking soda. The first step is to boil water. Heat the water in a kettle or a measuring cup. Next, pour some soap into the drain and pour the boiling water into the drain. The soap will help with some of the clogs. The next thing is to pour a cup of baking soda into the drain.Mix 1/3 cups of vinegar and baking soda then pour down your bathroom drain. Try pouring boiling water down a smelly drain. Use a wet and dry vacuum. You can use the hose to suck out any blockages from bathroom drains. You can also use a drain snake or wire coat hanger to dislodge any debris in your drains.Jul 10, 2020 · From helping you determine the cause of your shower drain smell to taking all the proper steps to extinguish it, Lutz has 100 years of experience and skills in tackling bathroom odor nuisances. Call Lutz Plumbing, Inc. at 913-888-9500 to schedule a virtual consultation or a service today! Here are a few tips for getting rid of a dead animal smell from your shower drain: – First, try pouring boiling water down the drain. This will help to dissolve any organic matter that may be causing the odor. – Next, mix together baking soda and vinegar, and pour this mixture down the drain.First, pour hot water down the drain (but not boiling water). Then sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda into the drain and follow it with 1/2 to 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Let the baking soda and vinegar react and fizz for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the drain out by pouring in more hot water.Dump one cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by two cups of hot vinegar. Let the concoction fizz. After one hour, flush the drain with hot water. The fizzing reaction helps …To apply this method: Follow the same steps as baking soda and vinegar. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down your drain. Add a cup of salt and let the mixture sit for a few hours. Flush the drain with hot water. 5. Use Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is also a fantastic product to clean your drains. Call your local Fox Valley plumbers at Watters Plumbing if you have already tried the easy solutions above without effectively removing the smell from your drain. We can help locate the plumbing issue! Appleton & Fox Cities: 920-886-8800. Toll Free: 800-801-8125. Call Watters Plumbing now to handle your leaky repairs. Easy call, fast fix. Flush Hot Boiling Water Into The Drain: In order to remove the smelly drains odour coming out of your drain, you can do is to remove the debris inside of it. To do so, you can boil a pot of water and slowly pour it into your drain. Then, pour cold water into it to solidify the gunk that hasn’t been removed. Afterwards, pour the hot water again.Dec 4, 2023 · Most of these odors go away fairly quickly, and where they originated is clear. However, if you have a stinky shower drain, you may not know what’s causing it. Shower drain smells, especially a rotten egg smell, can indicate a problem, so it’s important to determine the cause and take care of it. The Problem with a Malodorous Shower Drain Method 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar. One of the most popular tricks for cleaning a smelly drain is to use baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. This natural process can be easy as you likely have all the supplies in your kitchen cabinets. First, boil two cups of water over the stove. Next, prepare one cup of …The shower drain can have all sorts of disgusting smells. From a musty scent to that of rotten eggs, stale and stagnant water, or even accumulated soap scum. The most prevalent smell is the musty type, also known as a mildew odor. A mildew-like scent is a clear indication of the growth of mold and …Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then pour hot water (not quite boiling) down the drain to rinse it away. Hopefully, this will rinse away the debris caught up in your drain and remove the smell. Repeating this every few weeks can keep your drains clean and prevent the odor from returning. If that fails, you can try a drain …Does your shower drain smell? This video will show you how to get rid of the smell from your shower drain. It's easy and cheap and doesn't take much time. If...Does your shower drain smell? This video will show you how to get rid of the smell from your shower drain. It's easy and cheap and doesn't take much time. If...Gurgling, foul smells and the shower is slow to drain. The P-Trap is clogged or installed incorrectly. Only the shower is affected and you have a tub-shower combo. No gurgling or smells. The tub-lever may have malfunctioned. The shower in addition to close by plumbing fixtures are slow to drain. The toilet may bubble and the shower gurgles.Common causes of bad smells in your shower drain include: Dry or Clogged P-traps: A P-trap is an extra drain fitting, designed to keep sewer gases from backing up into the house. The P-trap is meant to hold water, which creates a seal to keep the bad smells from entering your home. If you are smelling a sewer smell, it is likely that the P-trap ...Let it sit for about 30 minutes before flushing the drain with hot water to wash away any remaining residue. Salt and Baking Soda: Mix equal parts salt and baking soda, then pour the mixture down the drain. Let it sit for at least an hour to dissolve grease and grime before rinsing with hot water. The abrasive nature of salt helps scrub away ...18 Sept 2019 ... How to Tackle Smelly Drains ... Cleaning Drains · 1. Plug the sink. · 2. Fill it with hot water. · 3. Add half a cup of Domestos Thick Bleach.23 Mar 2023 ... Those lingering bathroom odors and hard to identify smells could becoming from a shower drain that needs a serious cleaning. Does your shower drain smell? This video will show you how to get rid of the smell from your shower drain. It's easy and cheap and doesn't take much time. If... 1. Boiling Water. One of the simplest ways to tackle a smelly drain is with boiling water. Simply boil hot water on a stove or in an electric kettle and pour the water … Mix 1/3 cups of vinegar and baking soda then pour down your bathroom drain. Try pouring boiling water down a smelly drain. Use a wet and dry vacuum. You can use the hose to suck out any blockages from bathroom drains. You can also use a drain snake or wire coat hanger to dislodge any debris in your drains. Potential Problem #5: Sulfur Water. Sometimes, the smell that appears to be coming from the drain is actually because of the water running down it. Homes with well pumps often suffer from the problem of sulfur in the water underground. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs, making the bathroom or even the whole house smell. Leaky pipes in your bathroom walls or under the shower will allow sewer gases – hydrogen sulphide – to escape, causing your shower drain to smell like rotten eggs. Drainage pipes are designed to keep sewer gases contained, and if it's not coming from the P-trap then you have a leak somewhere in your drain line.Gray water reclamation is a developing way to reduce water waste and go green. Find out how gray water reclamation works. Advertisement Ever stop to wonder how much water goes down...Routine Cleaning. Regular cleaning is the first line of defense against bad smells in your shower drain. Remove the drain cover and clear out any visible hair or debris. Mix a solution of equal parts hot water and vinegar and pour it down the drain. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before flushing with hot water.White vinegar has become one of the best cleaning products on our roster, and by mixing this store cupboard essential with baking soda, you can successfully …Pour 1/2 cup coarse salt down the drain. Next, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Finally, pour 1 cup vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain to the get the bubbles working in the drain only (takes about 30 seconds). Pour a kettle of boiling water through to get it all out and dissolve any remaining salt. The fizzing reaction helps clean out any gunk in the drain and kills bacteria. The Clean the P-trap Method. Put on rubber gloves and place a bucket beneath the curved portion of the drainpipe beneath the sink. Once the bucket is in place, remove the curved portion. Empty any water and gunk from the trap into the bucket. Related Article. Bring your lawn to life with septic-approved landscaping. 2. The P-Trap Is Dry. The P-trap in your shower is another common reason why your shower drain smells like sewage. When the P-trap is dry, it can cause sewer gasses from the main sewer line to push up through the pipes and …Nov 10, 2021 · 1 cup white vinegar. 1 cup bleach. 1 cup water. Mix the water and bleach. Pour the diluted bleach down the drain. Next, pour a cup of baking soda into the shower drain. Then pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain and cover the opening. Allow it to fizz for a few minutes. Flush the drain with hot water. Flush Hot Boiling Water Into The Drain: In order to remove the smelly drains odour coming out of your drain, you can do is to remove the debris inside of it. To do so, you can boil a pot of water and slowly pour it into your drain. Then, pour cold water into it to solidify the gunk that hasn’t been removed. Afterwards, pour the hot water again.Having a clogged shower drain can be a frustrating experience. It not only slows down the water flow, but it can also lead to unpleasant odors and even water damage if left untreat...When you have a stinky shower drain, it is most likely caused by a buildup of biofilm in the drain pipe or not enough water in the p-trap, allowing the shower drain smells to rise back up through …Send us your pictures and videos: http://skill-builder.uk/send🎬 Ask Skill Builder Playlist: https://bit.ly/3j7heJTRoger has a solution for your smelly showe...Cleaning the Drains. Diluted bleach helps clean the drains while minimizing the corrosive nature of the chemical. One way to do this is to close the drain and pour 1/2 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water in the tub or sink. Open the drain to let the diluted bleach go down into the pipes. Avoid using this method on copper sinks or other sinks ...17 Apr 2023 ... So, if you're smelling sewage, it's likely because your P-trap is not carrying enough water. One reason may be the infrequent use of this ...1. Mold Growth. If you notice a musty odor coming from your shower drain, it is highly likely that mold is growing beneath the drain cover. Mold spores produce …Gurgling, foul smells and the shower is slow to drain. The P-Trap is clogged or installed incorrectly. Only the shower is affected and you have a tub-shower combo. No gurgling or smells. The tub-lever may have malfunctioned. The shower in addition to close by plumbing fixtures are slow to drain. The toilet may bubble and the shower gurgles.Jul 31, 2023 · Pour 1/2 cup coarse salt down the drain. Next, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Finally, pour 1 cup vinegar down the drain. Cover the drain to the get the bubbles working in the drain only (takes about 30 seconds). Pour a kettle of boiling water through to get it all out and dissolve any remaining salt. Dish Soap and Hot Water. If your issue is not too complicated and the drain is simply dirty, you can use liquid soap and boiling hot water to clean the drain. Repeat the steps below until the smells from the drains clear out: Fill your sink with a couple of inches of hot, boiling water. Add liquid soap until you get a bubbly mixture.Contaminated Water. In rare cases, the water is the source of the rotten egg smell instead of the shower drain. If you suspect the water is the problem, take a sample and send it to a local lab for testing. Raw sewage may have seeped into the home water source or the water may have high sulphate levels, …1. Mold Growth. If you notice a musty odor coming from your shower drain, it is highly likely that mold is growing beneath the drain cover. Mold spores produce …DIY Shower Drain Sewer Smell Removal. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into the drain. Follow with one cup of white vinegar. Let that sit for two hours with the bathroom door closed. Slowly pour a gallon of hot water down the drain. After 15 minutes, run cold water for 10 minutes to thoroughly rinse the vinegar down.
Does your shower drain smell? This video will show you how to get rid of the smell from your shower drain. It's easy and cheap and doesn't take much time. If.... Rabbie's tours scotland
Got a grimy and smelly shower drain? Follow these steps to give yours a thorough clean and learn how to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place.Gurgling, foul smells and the shower is slow to drain. The P-Trap is clogged or installed incorrectly. Only the shower is affected and you have a tub-shower combo. No gurgling or smells. The tub-lever may have malfunctioned. The shower in addition to close by plumbing fixtures are slow to drain. The toilet may bubble and the shower gurgles.Steps to remove mold from shower drain: Mix equal parts baking soda and water to create a paste. Use the toothbrush to apply the paste over the shower drain. Wait 10 minutes. Then use the toothbrush to scrub the entire shower drain thoroughly. Repeat as many times as needed to loosen any mold around or under the …The how to clean the smelly shower drain: Remove the drain part if it comes out. Give the drain hole a quick scrub with a toothbrush or similar. Pour down the bicarb (I did it in stages because I didn’t want to create an over flowing, fizzing mess), then 2 cups of the white vinegar. Watch the fizz. Pour down the boiled water, or in our case ...Wait a few minutes, then pour the rest of the boiling (or hot) water down the drain. Finish by running the hot water for a few minutes. This process should take care of both the odor and the source. If the smell coming from the drain isn’t musty, the problem could be soap scum. An easy solution is to clean your drain with …Shower drain smells, especially a rotten egg smell, can indicate a problem, so it’s important to determine the cause and take care of it. The Problem with a …Sinks, drains, and disposals—everything including the kitchen can stink to high heaven when not cleaned properly. The smell of musty, mucky mold or the inexplicable smell of sewer gas can all link back to a dirty drain. Thankfully, learning how to clean a smelly drain is a quick and easy DIY job you can finish before you even hop in the shower.Tub/shower drain: Hair clogs lead to soap buildup and badly gunked pipes. Clean thoroughly with a snake for this smelly drain fix. Clean thoroughly with a snake for this smelly drain fix. Kitchen sink: Food disposers (dispose-alls) are …Nov 14, 2023 · Contaminated water. Hydrogen sulfide gas. Improper ventilation. Check out the reasons for shower drain odors in detail and the solutions to get rid of them. 1. Mold Growth. If you notice a musty odor coming from your shower drain, it is highly likely that mold is growing beneath the drain cover. Apr 17, 2023 · Get that gunk out of your drain. A common and likely reason why your shower drain smells like sewage is because of a nasty clog. Things you'll typically find stuck in a shower drain are hair, dirt, soap buildup, and other grime that will accumulate and stop the smooth flow of water needed to maintain a healthy and functional drainage system. Run hot water down the drain regularly: Hot water helps to dissolve any grease or debris that may have accumulated in the drain. It also helps to keep the P-trap wet, which prevents sewer gases from escaping. 2. Use a drain cleaner: A drain cleaner can help to remove any buildup in the drain and keep it flowing smoothly.When your car idles, the engine and alternator run slowly. The alternator provides enough electricity to charge the battery. If you use high-powered accessories, the idling alterna...Eliminate odor with baking soda. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the shower drain followed by a gallon of hot water, to absorb and remove odors and freshen the ... Sink or shower drains often begin to smell badly over time. The horrible smell is the result of a smelly build up of sludge in the drain and accumulation of ... To apply this method: Follow the same steps as baking soda and vinegar. Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down your drain. Add a cup of salt and let the mixture sit for a few hours. Flush the drain with hot water. 5. Use Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is also a fantastic product to clean your drains.DIY Shower Drain Sewer Smell Removal. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into the drain. Follow with one cup of white vinegar. Let that sit for two hours with the bathroom door closed. Slowly pour a gallon of hot water down the drain. After 15 minutes, run cold water for 10 minutes to thoroughly rinse the vinegar down.Leave the mixture to fizz and bubble for about 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. This method can help to break down minor clogs in your stinky shower drain. Use a drain snake – A drain snake, also known as a drain auger, is a long, flexible tool that can be put into the drain to physically break up or retrieve the blockage..