What You Can Do About Clogged Drains

A clogged drain can be a problem, and if it is really bad, you may even need to call a plumber. If you absolutely need to use the sink while waiting for the plumber to arrive, there are several things you can do. A drain is a very simple device, using gravity to draw liquids through the pipes from the drain to its ultimate destination. As long as where it starts is higher than where it ends, and the pipes are all fine, the only problem the drain runs into is something stopping it up.

All types of pipe have the same basic parts, a trap, a cleanout, and a stack. Traps are curved sections of a pipe that go down then up, to let solids settle so the liquid can pass. A cleanout is the section of the trap at its lowest, helping to simplify the search for a clog. Finally, there is the stack, the section of the pipe that rises after the trap. The stack allows gasses from decaying solids in the trap to escape, preventing pressure from building up in the pipes.

The most common way to clean a drain is through some type of liquid drain cleaner. Depending on the type of pipe and specific drain cleaner, the drain cleaner may damage your pipes. Before using a liquid drain cleaner, ensure that it is safe for your pipes. Also, while a drain cleaner may get rid of the clog, it won't scour buildup on the pipes, and the pipes could clog again even faster. So while it could be a good quick solution while waiting for a plumber, it is not a good permanent solution. After using drain cleaner, run hot water for five to ten minutes to flush the chemicals out of the pipes.

If you have recently poured fat or grease down a drain, that could be contributing to the clog. If your sink is clogged up, but still drains a little, you can try running hot water slowly down the drain. While this won't remove the rest of the buildup or clog, it may help water flow a little faster, letting you complete everyday tasks while waiting for a plumber to arrive. Even if grease and fat aren't the problem, this could help clear up a clog slightly.

Finally, you can try using a standard suction plunger and a long, flexible wire to temporarily clear out some of the clog. Remove any strainer from the drain and fill the sink one to two inches deep with water. Position the plunger directly over the drain and pump up and down a few times. Remove the plunger, take the wire, and push it down into the pipe a few times. Repeat those two steps a couple times, waiting a moment between attempts to see if the water in the sink starts draining.