Home Maintenance tips

Tips to Fix Clogged Pipes and Drains

Whether you live in a brand-new home, or one that’s 100 years old, you will likely encounter the same problem: clogs. Fortunately, there are a few tried and proven methods to solve these problems.

For metal pipes, the first thing you should do is slowly pour boiling water down the drain. This should work in both sinks and showers if the problem is not to severe. The idea is that the boiling water will dissolve any hair, soap and other buildup. If the boiling water breaks through, continue to run hot water for about five minutes to thoroughly flush the pipes.

Be careful with plastic pipes, as the boiling water could soften the joints and cause other problems, like leaks. If your not sure your plastic pipes can withstand the boiling water, consider another method.

For stubborn clogs, try using a cup plunger, just like you would in a toilet. With double-sided sinks, you should either use two plungers at the same time or plug up one side while plunging the other. Make sure there is enough water in the sink or tub so that when you plunge you can feel some pressure. A few short plunges should break up the clog; then rinse with hot water to flush out any debris.

If you have a serious clog, it’s time to take out the big guns; either a straightened metal coat hanger, or if you have one, an augur. If you frequently get clogs, and you don’t want to pay a plumber, it’s probably worth investing in an augur (a long, stiff metal coil wire designed for clearing clogs).

The first step is to remove the drain stop. Sometimes just pulling out the stop will give you enough access to remove the debris clogging the drain. If not, proceed by slowly inserting the chosen weapon and extend down the pipe a few inches, wiggling slightly, until you’ve gone down as far as possible. Note that it’s hard to distinguish resistance caused by the clog or from following the curves of the piping, so never force it as you could break something and cause even worse problems.

The last method is to try a chemical drain cleaner. If you follow the instructions, you may have success. Depending on the clog, you may need to do this several times.

If, after using one or more of these methods you still have a clog, you’re going to have to remove the pipes. The U-shaped pipe is usually the culprit, but not always. Unless you know what you’re doing, you’re probably better off calling a professional.