Clogged Drains - Tips for Unclogging Drains

Clogged drains are inevitable. Sooner or later you will find yourself with a drain problem. Luckily, clogged drains are one of the easiest problems to fix. You can save yourself a costly plumbing bill by using the information shown below.

The Trap

If you have a slow moving drain in the sink or bathroom, chances are you have a clog. Lots of times a clog will form in the section of the pipe directly below the sink. Usually shaped like an 'S' or a 'P', this part of the pipe is known as the trap.

The curved section of the trap 'traps' water to keep sewer gases from seeping into your house. Unfortunately, soap, hair, food and anything else that washes down the drain, tends to build up and get stuck here.

Unclogging the Drain

Before reaching for a jug of chemicals, you should try to remove the trap and clear the line manually. Chemicals can be damaging to your drain and plumbing system. Here are some tips that will help you remove the trap:

• Place a bucket beneath the trap before getting started. There's no telling what will come out of that pipe once the trap has been removed.
• Use pliers or a wrench to loosen and removed the bolts that hold the trap on.
• Use a wire brush to clean the trap and remove debris. Then flush the pipe with hot water.
• When the trap is clean, apply pipe joint compound (found at your local hardware store) to the surface of each side of the trap. Then, replace the trap using the bolts that you removed.
• Make sure you check for leaks after replacing the trap.

Most likely, this will fix your clogged drain issue. If not, you may need to call a professional plumber to come and finish the job.  Go to our search form and find your professional today.