How to Clean Bad Drain Pipes

Bad drain pipes can be cleared with a strong drain cleaner and plunging.

Badly clogged or dirty drains need to be cleaned routinely, every six to eight months, to keep them free of debris. Use a strong commercial drain cleaner to loosen up drain clogs. Then, use a plunger or cable auger to remove abrasive and stubborn debris. This remedy can be used to clean bad drain pipes in the kitchen and bathroom sinks and bathtub.

Things You'll Need

• Maximum strength drain cleaner
• Plunger
• Rags
• Bucket
• Pipe wrench
• Closet auger
• Cable auger or plumber's snake

Instructions

1. Pour a maximum strength off-the-shelf drain cleaner down the sink. According to AskThe Builder, drain cleaner products that contain alkali chemicals (sodium hydroxide) and bleach components works well to dissolve hair, cosmetics and soaps. "The alkali ingredient works with the bleach to actually soften and dissolve the biofilm deposits."

2. Fill the sink partially with water after you have used a drain cleaner. Plunge the sink vigorously, several times to unclog the drain pipes from debris. Stuff a damp rag into one drain opening while you plunge the other drain if the sink has a double bowl. Rag use aides in adding pressure directly to the clog.

3. Insert a cable auger (or plumber's snake) under the sink. First, remove the sink trap with a pipe wrench. Unscrew the threaded coupling on PVC plastic traps by hand. Empty any standing water from the trap into a bucket.

4. Use the pipe wrench to dislocate the horizontal trap arm protruding from the stub-out in the wall. Feed the cable auger into the stub-out just until you feel resistance. Pull out 18 inches of the cable and tighten the lock screw. Turn the handle clockwise, pushing forward to drive the cable farther in.

5. Pull out another 18 inches of cable and repeat the process until you fully remove blockages inside the drain pipes. Turn the crank counterclockwise, pulling back the auger if the cable catches on something. Crank and push forward the cable once it is clear. Remove the cable.

6. Replace the sink trap and horizontal trap arm. Test your drain to see if it is clean by turning on the faucet and adding hot-water to the sink. Plunge again several times if the debris from the clog has settled into a loose blockage.

References

• This Old House: Clear Any Clogged Drain
• Ask The Builder: Drain Cleaners - Thick is Good