Handyman Guide > Clogged drains

In attempting to clear a stoppedup line, use a device called the "plumber's friend." This is a piece of equipment that no home mechanic should be without. It consists of a rubber, bell-shaped cup on the end of a long wood handle. To use this plunger, partially fill the fixture with water and place the rubber cup over the drain opening.

Work the plunger up and down, and the resulting alternate compression and suction will generally dislodge any object caught in the drain. If there is no water in the fixture, the plunger will not work, because water must be present to make an airtight seal around the drain. Be sure to give the" pl umber's friend" a fair chance before you resort to some other method of trying to clear a drain. Once the drain is clean, flush hot water through it to clear it completely.


Cleaning Trap. If the drain cannot be cleared with the rubber plunger, it may be possible to get rid of the obstruction by removing the clean-out plug at the bottom of the trap and using a piece of wire to push the obstruction out or pull it back through the opening. Place a pail under the trap to prevent the water that is in the trap from splashing the floor. Remove the plug carefully so that the water will pour into the bucket.

You will need an adjustable wrench to loosen the plug. If the plug is plated, put a piece of cloth around it to prevent the wrench from damaging the plating. Once the plug is out, try to dislodge the obstruction in the pipe with a piece of stiff wire. If this method fails to do 'any good, you can remove the entire trap by unscrewing the slip nuts located at the top and bottom connections of the trap. When these two nuts have been loosened and moved out of the way, take off the trap and push out the obstructions. While the trap is off, clean it thoroughly inside with a stiff brush and hot water.
Clearing Beyond Trap. If the object blocking the pipe is beyond the trap, use a steel spring auger. This resembles a snake in that it is flexible and can be inserted in the pipe.

The auger can be rotated, and this action will either break up whatever is clogging the pipes, or the auger bit will pierce the obstacle so that it can be pulled out of the pipe.

Before replacing the clean-out plug of the trap: examine the washer to be sure it has not been damaged. Any leakage around this plug will cause the trap to run dry.

Chemical Cleaners. Chemical drain cleaners can be used to clear a pipe when it is impossible to get at the obstruction with a plunger or a steel spring auger. The best chemical for this work is caustic potash, but it is very strong and should be used with a great deal of caution.

Remove as much water as possible from the fixture and the drain so that the chemical will not be diluted. Mix the caustic potash, according to the directions on the container, with hot water. Be very careful not to let any of this solution touch any part of the body, particularly the eyes. To avoid damaging metal fixtures, pour the solution into the drain through a funnel. Do not expect any immediate effect from a chemical drain cleaner. The chemical must burn through whatever has clogged up the pipe, and this action may require several hours at least. Do not pour any water down the drain until the chemical has had ample time to work. After sufficient time has elapsed, say overnight, flush the drain with boiling water.

When caustic potash comes in contact with grease, it converts the grease into a substance soluble in water. Some types of drain cleaners contain caustic soda, but this chemical turns grease into hard matter that cannot be easily removed.

Chemical cleaners should be used only in the drainage system - never in any fresh water supply lines. Gasoline and coffee grounds should not be used as drain cleaners. They will not do any good, and gasoline in a drain may cause an explosion if the fumes are accidently ignited.






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