DIY Plumbing - Unclogging Drains

There are as many methods for unclogging drains as there are recipes for chocolate cake. And it's a good thing, too, because a clogged drain isn't just an inconvenience. Clogged drains can contribute to a burst pipe in winter by giving no route to relieve the pressure. They smell, they're unsightly and - not least, of course - they prevent use of the place the drain was installed to service.

One easy and ultra-low cost method is simply to run hot water. If the drain is only partially clogged it may be due to grease, small bits of food or other soft material. Hot water will often melt or dissolve enough of it to get the rest to flow all the way out.

That won't work, of course, on drains that are completely clogged. But other remedies can sometimes still be just as cheap, or nearly so.

The old-fashioned plunger still plays a useful role in the modern home. By increasing the pressure inside the pipe, it may force the clogging material to flush out of the system. Take care, though, about using this in winter. If the clog is the result of ice blockage produced from low temperatures it's possible to tip the scales and burst a pipe.

For those common clogs in the U-shaped section of the kitchen sink, removing the section of pipe can be the way to go. It takes only a few minutes to remove the two large metal or plastic retaining nuts. Then the pipe can easily be cleared of dropped earrings or spoons, grease plugs or anything else that made its way in.

Take care when replacing the pipe, though, to do it properly. Don't be tempted to seal it with PVC glue or other adhesive or sealant. Simple Teflon plumber's tape is the right solution. Wind it in a direction that will cause it to get further stretched when winding the nut back on. You don't want tightening the nut to undo the tape. That encourages leaks.

Chemical drain openers are safe and effective, if properly used. They dissolve grease, hair and other common materials to open up the passageway again. Then, when hot water flushes everything down, they degrade rapidly to produce no harm to the environment. They can be used on all modern plumbing pipes without fear.

One home recipe uses baking soda and vinegar. For simple clogs produced by calcium carbonate build up (hard water), this works great. Others will require commericial products to clear the clog.

The plumber's snake is a handy thing to have for those larger jobs. Sometimes it's a clogged toilet that the plunger won't fix. In other cases, the kitchen sink just won't flow freely after all other methods have been exhausted.

Before you call an expensive professional, try using a plumber's snake to clear the clog. That's the first thing the professional will do, anyway. Just run the wire cable into the pipe as far as possible and twist the handle on the cable feeder.

It grinds away at any material inside and can also be used to recover small cloths, sponges or other items that fell in. Many have small metal 'fingers' that can be clamped to pull items back out easily.

If all else fails, call your local plumbing professional. Better an expensive house call than a damaged or clogged pipe.

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