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To clean gunk out of a sink drain, pour in a half cup of baking soda, then 1 cup of white vinegar. The two will react chemically; let them fizz for 15 minutes, then rinse with boiling water. Repeat these steps if necessary for particularly dirty sink drains, and consider a drain snake if there are clogs.

Yes, drains are one common entry point for water bugs. However, water bugs may enter your home through various locations including doors, windows, pipes, and vents. Water bugs are drawn to the dark and moist atmosphere drains provide, and can easily find their way into your home through sewer drain pipes. You can stop water bugs from entering through drains by regularly cleaning your drains and repairing faulty drainage systems.

A bit of water in the bowl can help unclog a toilet, especially if you're using a plunger. However, if the bowl is full to the brim, you'll need to strap on gloves and remove some of the wastewater in a cup or container so it doesn't overflow when you try to unblock the pipe. If you're concerned about it filling further, manually close the flapper in the toilet tank or turn off the water supply to the toilet.

The cost to unclog a drain varies based on the location and severity of the clog. For simple clogs within your home, such as in a sink, toilet, or shower, hiring a plumber typically costs between $110 and $350, with an average of around $200. Snaking a toilet or sink usually costs between $110 and $275, while a bathtub or shower clog costs about $225.

For a more serious clog in the main sewer line, the cost is higher. Clearing a main line clog generally costs between $200 and $600, with an average of about $380. However, prices can range from as low as $100 for snaking a minor clog to over $1,600, particularly if advanced methods like video inspection and hydrojetting are needed for a large or hard-to-reach blockage. Some severe main line clogs can cost upwards of $1,000 to clear depending on factors like the cause of the clog, its distance from an accessible cleanout, and whether the pipe is located beneath an occupied space (e.g., in an apartment building). You may be able to save money on minor clogs by using a drain snake or bladder yourself.