A clogged drain pipe doesn’t have to be a drain on your time! Although some blocked pipes can only be repaired by emergency plumbers, the majority of pipes can be unclogged with little hassle and fuss and with only a few specialist tools.
Read on to find out what to do if a pipe is clogged. If you cannot unclog a pipe after a few attempts, then call the professionals, as any further attempted repairs could lead to additional damage.
You may need:
- A plunger
- A drain rod or ‘snake’
- Drain unblocker
Where is the clog?
To repair the plumbing, you will first have to isolate the source of the problem. Bathtub drains can become clogged with hair and cleaning products, kitchen sink drainage pipes can become blocked up due to food scraps, and outside drains can become clogged up with leaves and other debris. Small clogs grow over time to become big problems!
Try drain unblocker
The easiest way to clear a clog from a pipe is to use drain unblocker. This product is available from most large supermarkets and home improvement stores. The packaging should tell you how you can use the product to deal with a clogged pipe, but typically, you will have to pour it down the plughole, wait for at least an hour, and then pour water down the plug. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to be successful.
Using a plunger to remove a clog from a pipe
Plungers can repair a lot of clogged pipes, but they are particularly effective when water cannot seep through the blockage and has backed up outside of the drain. Cover the drain completely with one end of the plunger and submerge this end in water.
Then push the plunger down smoothly but firmly several times. If your drainage seems to have improved, keep on plunging, but if you appear to be unsuccessful, then try another method. Continually plunging can create a huge amount of pressure within your plumbing and drainage system, potentially leading to burst pipes or loose plumbing joints.
Using a drain rod or ‘snake’
Drain rods, otherwise known as drain snakes or plumbing snakes, are available from most hardware and home improvement stores. Put the snake down the drain, holding firmly to one end of it and rotating as you push it down. You may be able to feel it poking through the clog and breaking up the blockage.
Then pull the drain rod upwards. You may need to repeat this process a few times and pour drain unblocker down the plughole to completely clear the clog from your pipe.
No success?
If you have not been able to remove the clog from the pipe, you may need to contact the plumbers. If you feel equipped to do so, remove the blocked-up section of pipe with a wrench, manually clean it out, and then reattach it – however, if you have no experience in plumbing, you may be unable to do so properly and may end up with leaking pipes.
Contact us on 0345 3192 247 and we can help! Our technical teams will run through some simple troubleshooting tips with you to see if your problem can be resolved over the phone. If not, we’ll send a highly skilled and qualified plumber round to get your plumbing problems sorted as soon as possible.
Remember, prevention is better than cure! If you are dealing with clogs in your pipes regularly, read about how to prevent blocked drains to nip this problem in the bud.
247 Home Rescue accepts no liability for any injuries or damages you sustain following the advice on this website. If in doubt, seek professional assistance.
