Summary
– Step 1: Determine the cause of the clogged pipe
– Step 2: Method 1: Clear a clogged pipe with simple solutions
– Method 2: Clear a clogged pipe manually
When the water flow is slow and foul odors are coming up, the problem is probably a clogged pipe. It is necessary to solve this problem quickly before they become completely blocked and cause a flood.
There are several solutions to clear a clogged pipe. Here are the details.
Step 1
Determine the cause of the clogged pipe
Clogged pipes are caused by a variety of factors, the most important of which are the user habits:
– Foreign matter goes down the drain: hair clumps, toilet paper, dish grease, soap, food build-up.
– All these foreign bodies that are not dissolved form a clog at the siphon level, whose role is to retain this type of dirt.
But it is also possible that the plumbing installation itself is defective because it was poorly thought out at the beginning (insufficient slope, badly placed elbow). In this case, it is necessary to call a professional to remedy the problem.
Step 2
Method 1: Clear a pipe with simple solutions
If the water flows slowly but still goes down the drain, it is probably a pile of debris that can easily be dissolved.
With boiling water
Simply:
– Pour boiling water into the sink, shower, or sink. It will dissolve the few residues that are clogging the pipes.
– Repeat the operation several times, if necessary.
With a mixture of baking soda, salt, and white vinegar
Mix baking soda and salt, then:
– Pour the mixture into the pipes.
– Sprinkle with white vinegar and boiling water.
Or:
– Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the pipe.
– Pour 2 cups of boiling water over it.
– If the clog doesn’t dissolve, change the process by replacing the baking soda with 1 glass of white vinegar.
– Cover the whole thing tightly.
– The chemical reaction produces a fizzing sound that helps dissolve the gunk.
Necessary: You can also use caustic soda-based drain openers, but know that these products are potentially dangerous if misused, irritating and harmful for the planet.
Method 2: Clear a drain manually
Drain by removing the trap
Place a basin under the trap so you can catch the water inside, then:
– Dismantle the trap.
Good to know: be careful with the seal, which can be easily lost during disassembly.
– Empty the trap by removing all the detritus that is in it.
– Clean it and put it back in place.
In case of leakage after reassembly:
– Disassemble the trap.
– Make several turns around the trap threads with a Teflon roller.
– Put it back in place.
Drain with a plunger.
Plug the overflow hole in the sink or basin with a well compressed wet cloth, then :
– Run water and fill the bottom with a few inches of water.
– Position the suction cup on the drain.
Move the suction cup back and forth (up and down) without removing the suction cup from the bottom.
– The water, which will be pushed back and sucked out, will destroy the clog.
With a ferret
The unblocking with a ferret (long flexible metal rod equipped with a brush) is done in a critical clog. It disintegrates it thanks to its rotation movement:
– Gradually introduce the ferret into the clogged pipe.
– If you feel a blockage at the end of the ferret, it may be the clog or the curves of the pipe.
– Use the crank of the plumbing wrench to rotate the wrench to free it.
– If you can’t get it out, increase the cranking and continue until the pipe is unclogged.
– Take out the plunger and let the water run to remove the debris from the clog.
Materials needed to unclog a drain.
| Bowl | $1 |
| Baking soda | $2 per 250 g |
| Rag | Your old and unused cloth |
| Ferret | Starting at $15 |
| Refine salt | Starting at $1 |
| Glass of water | From your tap |
| Teflon | Less than $1 |
| Suction cup | Starting at $2 |
| White vinegar | About $1 |
