Plumbing: Fixing Clogs

Hand soaps, shaving cream, lotions and a myriad of other household products can clog drains over time.  Although clogged drains are a nuisance, they are generally pretty easy to fix.  Here are a few tips to help you:

Begin by removing the plastic and/or metal drain stop.  Sometimes removing hair and soap from this is enough to clear the passage.

For metal pipes, try pouring a pot of boiling water slowly down the sink. If there's not too much accumulated water, and the clog isn't too severe, the plug of hair and soap (the typical villains) may be dissolved, freeing the clog. Follow with a steady rinse of hot water for a few minutes.

For plastic pipes, the boiling water method may soften joints presenting a risk of leakage. Unless you know your pipes are made of material that can withstand the heat, it's best to use one of the methods below.

For more stubborn clogs an ordinary plunger may do the trick. Be sure to use a cup plunger, not a flange plunger. The latter is shaped for use with toilet bowls.

In double-sided sinks it may be necessary to use two simultaneously or plug up the second hole. Often a towel is sufficient, sometimes you'll need to improvise with a heavy pan, a plastic bowl or some other means.

Plunging action should be sharp and short. If pressure is going to relieve the plug, it will need to be high, but not long. If that seems to have worked, once again follow with a long rinse of hot water. That will both cleanse out remaining debris and test the results.

For those real serious stoppages, you'll need an augur or at minimum a straightened metal coat-hanger.  An augur is a stiff, coiled wire typically in a metal housing with a handle for moving the wire.

Take care when using the augur not to puncture pipes or drain traps. Extend the augur or snake the coat-hanger down a few inches. It may be difficult to distinguish between resistance from curving pipe versus running into the clog. Turn the crank handle firmly, but don't force it.

Be careful not to force the snake or augur to avoid breaking in-pipe traps or filters. The plastic pieces from breaking in-pipetraps or filters will make a biggerproblem to solve, requiring you to remove the pipe. Some types of augurs can be attached to a drill, but if the clog is that severe you'll generally want to try other methods first.

As a next to last resort, chemical drain cleaners can be useful. Used according to the directions, they're safe for pipes and people. Always be prepared to wash off any that contacts your hands or arms, and wear safety goggles if there's any risk of splashing.

Really severe clogs may require removal of the pipe. Usually it's the bend in the U-shaped pipe that contributes to the clog. But if you can't clear the clog without removal, you may or may not make any better progress having the pipe in hand. Sometimes a professional plumber is your only remaining option.

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