If more than one drain in your home is not working, chances are the main drain line is clogged. You can call a professional or you can do the job yourself by renting an auger from your local hardware store or rental yard.

Step 1: Choose a drain auger with at least 50 ft of 5/8″ cable and multiple cutter heads. Start with the smaller cutter heads to clear the line and use the larger heads to finish the job.

Step 2: Augers are dangerous tools, follow all safety instructions carefully.

Step 3: Position the drain auger on dry level ground within two feet of the drain opening.

Step 4: Plug the drain auger into a grounded outlet and move the auger switch to the on or forward position. Manually feed several feet of cable down into the drain line until you meet resistance. Pull another foot of cable out of the cable cage and tighten the retaining screw to hold the cable in position.

Step 5: Use the auger’s foot switch to set the cable cage in motion. Slowly feed the remaining loose cable into the pipe. If you meet resistance, use the foot switch to stop the cage rotation and pull the cable back 6 to 12 inches.

Step 6: Start the cage rotation again and continue to feed the cable into the pipe until the excess cable is in the drain line. Use the foot switch to stop the cage rotation. Loosen the retaining screw and pull another foot of cable out of the cage. Tighten the screw and start again, slowly feeding the excess cable into the pipe. Repeat the process until you have broken through the clog.

Step 7: Run water into the drain to flush away debris and rinse the auger cable. Manually rewind the cable back into the cage. Never use reverse to rewind the cable.

Step 8: Attach a larger cutter head to the cable end and repeat the drain cleaning process. Be patient. Do not force the cable into the pipe; let the cutter head do the work.

Step 9: Once the drain is clear, flush the line with water and manually rewind the cable into its cage.

Step 10: Replace the floor drain cover or clean out plug. Flush a toilet several times to test the line before returning the drain auger to the hardware store or rental yard.