Step 3 · Connect and Position the Bladder

This is the step people usually slow down on. Go finger-tight first, then a quarter turn. No rush — replay the clip whenever it helps.

Securely attach the threaded metal end of the drain cleaning bladder to the male fitting of your garden hose. Hand-tighten the connection to ensure it is snug. Next, carefully feed the bladder and the attached hose into the open cleanout pipe. Push the bladder as far into the pipe as you can comfortably manage, ensuring it is at least one foot past the cleanout opening. The farther you can insert it, the closer it will be to the clog. Hold the hose firmly a few feet back from the opening.