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Boiling water helps unclog a drain, but usually only with a harder abrasive such as baking soda or vinegar. On its own, it isn’t the most effective tool. In addition, you shouldn’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes, as it can soften or melt them. Use a plunger or enlist the help of a pro if you have plastic pipes.

It’s possible to snake minor drain clogs yourself, provided they sit within a foot or two of the drain itself, but it’s usually best to hire a professional plumber regardless. Even experienced DIYers have a high chance of accidentally pushing the clog further into the drain using a drain snake or another tool, so hiring a plumber is the ideal course of action. A professional plumber can use camera equipment to locate and identify the clog, and remove the entire blockage to fix your issue permanently.

You can often unclog a garbage disposal in less than 10 minutes, though sometimes you might need longer if you’re unsure what’s causing the clog. For minor clogs, consider plunging the drain, flushing the drain with baking soda and vinegar, or using an Allen wrench to free the clog. If the clog is more severe, contact a local plumber.

If the drain is frozen, the pipes connecting to the washing machine are likely frozen. If the hot water trick doesn’t also unfreeze the washing machine pipes, you can gently apply heat with a hair dryer on the lowest setting. Start at the end of the pipe closest to the faucet to prevent pressure from building in the pipes, and make sure the faucet is open to drain the water as it melts.