How to Clear a Difficult Clogged Pipe
Dinner is complete, and you have just completed washing what seemed like a million dishes. As you pull the sink stopper out, you notice the dirty water in your sink is not going down the drain. You start to panic. The drain is clogged, and all you wanted to do was finish cleaning up your kitchen. Clearing a difficult clogged pipe requires a sewer snake and some patience. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- Screwdriver--flathead and/or Phillips
- Sewer snake
- Bucket
- Plumber's wrench
- Teflon tape
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the sink stopper from the clogged sink drain, if still in the drain, and set it to the side.
-
2
Remove the strainer from the clogged drain using a screwdriver. The strainer may have some screws or you may have to pry it up using the tip of the screwdriver. Set the strainer to the side for cleaning later. Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles.
-
-
3
Insert the sewer snake into the drain and extend the tool out until you meet the clog in the pipe.
-
4
Twist the sewer snake's handle clockwise around the clog to break up the obstruction.
-
5
Run cold water to flush the pipe and wash away the clog.
-
6
Continue running the cold water to make sure the sink is draining. If the water is draining OK, skip to Step 14.
If the water is draining slowly or starting to back up in the sink, proceed to the next step.
-
7
Shut off the water and remove the clean-out plug from the trap under the sink (place a bucket under the trap to catch any water or debris). It will be a square or hexagonal plug. Use a plumber's wrench to take off the plug.
-
8
Insert the sewer snake into the trap and extend it to its full length until you meet the clog.
-
9
Twist the sewer snake's handle clockwise and hook on to the clog.
-
10
Push the clog backward, then forward to break up the clog.
-
11
Remove the sewer snake from the trap.
-
12
Place some Teflon tape around the clean-out plug's threads and reinstall the plug back on to the trap.
-
13
Run cold water into the drain and check to see if the drain is clear.
-
14
Clean the sink stopper and strainer using a damp towel, then reinstall the two parts.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not dispose of grease, food waste or other substances down drains in your house. Run plenty of cold water to flush food particles down the pipe of your garbage disposal to keep slime and particles from building up in the unit. Pour a pot of boiling hot water down your kitchen's drain at least once a week to melt away any slime from fat or grease that may have collected. Every six months, use a non-acid commercial drain cleaner in each of the drains in your house.
