A house has three types of waste drains: fixture
drains, such as those at sinks and toilets; main
drains, which lead from the fixture drains to the
main pipe that carries waste from your house;
and sewer drains, which run underground to the
sewer or septic tank. A blockage may originate
in any of the three, so your first chore is to
locate the blockage. Usually it will be in a trap
or in or next to a pipe connection that makes
a turn.
Open a faucet at each sink, tub, or other fixture
-- but don't flush a toilet; it could overflow. If
only one problem fixture is stopped up, the
problem is nearby. If two or more drains won't
clear, something has lodged in a main drain. If
no drains work, the blockage is near the point
where the main drain connects to the sewer
drain or in the sewer drain itself. The fact that
waste water always flows downward lets you logically ferret out an obstruction. I will explain next what to do once you know the general vicinity of the blockage.
Unplugging sinks. To remove a lavatory stopper, turn and lift. Debris may accumulate around the lifting mechanism. Plungers with molded suction cups are best for toilets or rounded lavatories.
drains, such as those at sinks and toilets; main
drains, which lead from the fixture drains to the
main pipe that carries waste from your house;
and sewer drains, which run underground to the
sewer or septic tank. A blockage may originate
in any of the three, so your first chore is to
locate the blockage. Usually it will be in a trap
or in or next to a pipe connection that makes
a turn.
Open a faucet at each sink, tub, or other fixture
-- but don't flush a toilet; it could overflow. If
only one problem fixture is stopped up, the
problem is nearby. If two or more drains won't
clear, something has lodged in a main drain. If
no drains work, the blockage is near the point
where the main drain connects to the sewer
drain or in the sewer drain itself. The fact that
waste water always flows downward lets you logically ferret out an obstruction. I will explain next what to do once you know the general vicinity of the blockage.
Unplugging sinks. To remove a lavatory stopper, turn and lift. Debris may accumulate around the lifting mechanism. Plungers with molded suction cups are best for toilets or rounded lavatories.
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Plug the overflow outlet with a wet cloth. Make sure the plunger seals tightly over the drain, then push down until drain is cleared.
If this doesn't work, then you may need to thread a plumber's snake down the trap, or open the clean out on the bottom of the trap to work from there. Still, if the drain is still clogged, you may need to remove the trap under the sink.
Still, if the drain is still clogged, you may need to remove the trap under the sink. There are a series of slip nuts and washers to remove. Just use a simple pipe wrench (or large channel lock pliers) to remove these parts.
Unclogging toilets. Apply a plunger to the outlet hole. Try a suction stroke upward first, then a
If this doesn't work, then you may need to thread a plumber's snake down the trap, or open the clean out on the bottom of the trap to work from there. Still, if the drain is still clogged, you may need to remove the trap under the sink.
Still, if the drain is still clogged, you may need to remove the trap under the sink. There are a series of slip nuts and washers to remove. Just use a simple pipe wrench (or large channel lock pliers) to remove these parts.
Unclogging toilets. Apply a plunger to the outlet hole. Try a suction stroke upward first, then a
pressure stroke downward. If the bowl is empty, fill it to the rim. Spread petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger to aid suction. If the plunger doesn't work, use a closet auger. As you crank, it winds it's way down through the passages.
Unclogging tubs. For plunger-type drains, remove and clean the stopper and strainer. Try a plunger; block the overflow drain with a wet cloth. For pop-up drain types, remove the pop-up assembly. Try the plunger here first also. If the plunger doesn't work, run a snake down through the overflow pipe, not the tub drain. Some tubs have a drum trap in or under the floor near the tub. Clean it out by removing the cleanout plug.
Unclogging main drains. There may be more than one cleanout in your drain system. If so, find the cleanout plug nearest the sewer line and loosen it. If water forms around the threads, the trouble is between this plug and the sewer. If no water forms, the plug is further back from this cleanout. Move to the next cleanout back and check there for water. Once you find out where the clog is, insert your snake and be ready for a messy job.
Unclogging tubs. For plunger-type drains, remove and clean the stopper and strainer. Try a plunger; block the overflow drain with a wet cloth. For pop-up drain types, remove the pop-up assembly. Try the plunger here first also. If the plunger doesn't work, run a snake down through the overflow pipe, not the tub drain. Some tubs have a drum trap in or under the floor near the tub. Clean it out by removing the cleanout plug.
Unclogging main drains. There may be more than one cleanout in your drain system. If so, find the cleanout plug nearest the sewer line and loosen it. If water forms around the threads, the trouble is between this plug and the sewer. If no water forms, the plug is further back from this cleanout. Move to the next cleanout back and check there for water. Once you find out where the clog is, insert your snake and be ready for a messy job.
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Opening Clogged Drains
Unscrew the cleanout plug. Have a large bucket handy to catch residue and protect your floors. Sewerage residue is messy stuff to work with. Thread an auger or snake into the cleanout opening toward the sewer line. Once you break through, flush with a garden hose. On a U-trap, work from the cleanout plug nearest to the sewer line. If the obstruction isn't in the trap, continue up the main drain, then toward the sewer.
Unclogging sewer drains. The sewer drain rarely gets clogged. If it does, remove the cleanout plug and try threading a garden hose into the line and turning on the water full blast. Push the chose through the blockage, letting the water clear away debris. If that doesn't work, insert a power auger snake into the pipe and twist it through the blockage. If your problem persists, you'll probably need a professional to look at the problem.
Unclogging sewer drains. The sewer drain rarely gets clogged. If it does, remove the cleanout plug and try threading a garden hose into the line and turning on the water full blast. Push the chose through the blockage, letting the water clear away debris. If that doesn't work, insert a power auger snake into the pipe and twist it through the blockage. If your problem persists, you'll probably need a professional to look at the problem.