Honestly, I’d never trust a pressurized blaster unless I was desperate. Last time I tried one, it just forced the clog deeper and I ended up with a bigger mess. Wet/dry vac is my go-to too—quick and keeps things manageable while I figure out the next step. I also keep a cheap drain snake handy. It’s not fancy, but it’s saved me more than once when the backup was just hair or gunk near the surface. Borescope’s on my wishlist, though… would’ve saved me a ton of guesswork last winter.
Pressurized blasters are a gamble, for sure. I tried one once when I was in a rush—ended up with water all over the floor and a clog that was somehow angrier than before. Wet/dry vac’s my MVP too. I’ve even used an old wire hanger as a makeshift snake when I was in a pinch… not ideal, but it did the job. Borescope sounds tempting, but I’d probably just end up staring at the gunk for way too long.
Wire hangers have saved me more times than I’d like to admit. I keep baking soda and vinegar around too—sometimes it helps, sometimes it’s just a science experiment. Wet/dry vac is clutch, but I try to avoid harsh chemicals if I can.
- Wire hangers are underrated—I've fished out more clogs than I care to admit, but sometimes they just push the mess further down.
- Baking soda and vinegar are my go-tos too, though I agree, it’s hit or miss. Sometimes it fizzes up and clears things, other times it’s just a bubbling mess.
- Wet/dry vac is a game changer, especially for standing water.
- I also keep a cheap manual drain snake on hand—less than $20 and way more effective than hangers for tougher blockages.
- Not a fan of chemical drain cleaners either... they’re rough on old pipes and the wallet if you use them often.
Honestly, prevention’s cheaper than repairs—mesh drain covers have saved me from a lot of headaches.
Mesh drain covers are a must, I agree—saved me from tenants flushing who-knows-what more than once. I’d add a heavy-duty plunger to the list, though. The cheap ones barely do anything, but a good flange plunger can clear most toilet backups fast. Manual snakes are great, but for main line issues, I keep a 25-foot auger on hand. Wet/dry vacs are handy, but they’re not much use if you’re dealing with a full-on sewer backup—at that point, I usually call in a pro. Prevention’s key, but sometimes you just can’t avoid the big messes.