How to Clear a Drain Pipe

Over a period of time household drains may become clogged and unable to use. These sinks can become clogged with various types of items such as hair, grease and other types of debris. Many people look for ways to unclog their drains without having to call in professionals. Cleaning a drain yourself will save you a significant amount of costly plumbing repairs.

Items Needed To Clear a Drain Pipe:

• Hot Water


• Plunger


• Liquid Plumr/Draino


• Plumber's Snake

How to Clear a Drain Pipe

1. Fill the clogged pipe with an inch of hot water. Affix your plunger to the area and push down forcefully. Repeat pumping your plunger back and forth to release the debris.


2. Remove the plunger to see what comes up from the drain. Take your hand and remove any debris the plunger has brought up. Continue plunging your drain. Flush your drain with hot water to see if the clog has been removed. If not you may have to take further measures. 


3. Use a drain-cleaning solution such as Liquid Plumr or Drano, both are known to work very well. Read the back of the bottle to find out how to properly use the solution. Make sure you allow the solution to sit in your drain for about fifteen minutes.


4. Flush the drain with hot water for a full minute. If the clog is not cleared by this, pour the rest of the solution into the drain, wait another ten minutes, then flush the drain with hot water.


5. Use a plumber's snake if the Liquid Plumr and Drano do not work. Snake the drain a few feet deep to loosen the debris. Keep pushing the snake down the drain until you feel the clog break free. Rinse the drain with hot water.