Save Hundreds Unclogging Pipes Yourself

Is your sink draining slower than molasses in January? Do you cringe when you flush, bracing for an overflow? Few things are more annoying than a clogged pipe. And hiring a plumber isn't cheap--most charge $100 or more per hour.

But before you resign yourself to a triple-digit bill, know that you can unclog pipes yourself. With a little effort and the right gear, you can dissolve gunk, extract hair, and dislodge debris to get your water flowing freely again.

Sizing Up Your Clogged Pipes

First things first--you need to do some sleuthing to understand the type of clog you're dealing with. Start by identifying precisely which pipe needs unclogging. Common problem areas include:

• Kitchen sinks
• Bathroom sinks or tub drains
• Toilets
• Outdoor drainage pipes
• Water supply lines

Pinpointing the location allows you to focus your cleaning efforts. Next, consider what might be causing the clog. Usual suspects include:

• Hair: Strands naturally shed and wind up circling your drains.
• Grease/food: Fats, oils, and scraps build up over time.
• Soap scum: Residue from bathing products and cleaning agents.
• Tree roots: Invasive root systems penetrating outdoor pipes.
• Mineral scale: Hard water deposits lining indoor pipes.
• Foreign items: Everything from toys to toiletries accidentally flushed.
• Pipe damage: Cracks, leaks and holes that enable debris to enter.

Identifying the location and probable cause of your clog will inform the best DIY unclogging method.

Attempting a DIY Drain Cleaning

Armed with an understanding of your specific clog, it's time to try clearing it yourself. Start by gathering supplies:

Essential Equipment

• Plunger - For sink, tub, shower and toilet clogs.
• Drain snake/auger - For pulling hair out of bathroom sinks and showers.
• Closet auger - Curved snake for unclogging toilets.

Useful Materials

• Gloves
• Bucket
• Hot water
• Vinegar - For dissolving mineral deposits.
• Baking soda - For lifting grease clogs.
• Chemical drain cleaners

Then, based on your detective work, try these common solutions:

Removing Hair Clogs

For simple hair-clogging bathroom sinks or tub drains, start by detaching the drain cover and manually extracting strands with tongs or needle-nose pliers. You can also try forcing a sink plunger over the drain to suction out hair.

For excess hair wound deeper, feed a drain snake into the pipe. Spin the auger's hook tip to capture strands and slowly extract the snake with debris in tow. Finally, finish by flushing piping hot water to rinse away shampoo residue attracting more hair.

Busting Grease and Grime

In the kitchen, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the sink, chasing it with 1/2 cup heated white vinegar. The chemical reaction produces CO2 bubbles that break up grease. Let the mixture sit several minutes before running hot water to flush debris. You can also try this method for soap scum tub clogs.

If your kitchen drain fills with murky water despite using a garbage disposal, the P-trap likely needs a cleaning. Place a bucket underneath and detach the curved pipe beneath the sink. Remove trapped gunk, then reattach the P-trap.

Attacking Toilet Troubles

For stopped-up toilets, a forceful, quick plunge can often dislodge the obstruction. Angle the plunger to ensure the bell forms an airtight seal over the hole at the base of the bowl. If plunging fails, try using a closet auger specifically designed for toilets.

Gently rotate the auger to navigate pipe bends. Once you feel resistance, crank the handle to bore through and extract the blockage without scratching porcelain. Finish by flushing a few times to rinse away loose debris.

Seeking Professional Assistance

While many clogs yield to home remedies, some call for professional equipment. Signs you need to hire a pro include:

• Clogs affecting your main sewer line. Roots are a common culprit.
• Toilet overflowing with each flush attempt.
• Leaking water around pipe joints, indicating damage.
• Bathtub backing up with gray water.
• Clogs recurring despite your best DIY efforts.

For extensive sewer clogs, plumbers have industrial drain snakes that reach pipes up to 400 feet underground. They also utilize high-powered hydrojetters producing streams exceeding 3,500 PSI to scour away years of accumulated gunk.

While paying a professional hurts the wallet initially, it prevents extensive water damage that ultimately costs more. Plus, plumbers can visually inspect pipes with sewer cameras to identify issues requiring replacement.

When To Consider Repiping

Behind recurring toilet clogs and perpetually sluggish sink drains often lurk antiquated and corroded pipes. If your home was built before 1990, odds are good you have galvanized steel or iron piping.

While durable, these metallic pipes eventually rust and accumulate mineral buildup. The degradation causes cracks enabling hair, silt and debris to continually clog narrowing pipes. Factoring in perpetual drain cleaning costs, replacing outdated pipes with smooth PVC provides long-term savings.

For repiping, plumbers methodically replace pipes running from the street to the farthest indoor fixtures. On average, total PVC replacement costs $2,500 to $5,000 depending on home size and layout.

While few escape the occasional clogged drain, you can minimize headaches with vigilant maintenance:

• Use drain catchers to trap hair near sinks and showers.
• Pour hot water weekly to clear grease before it sticks.
• Avoid pouring fats directly down drains.
• Only flush waste and toilet paper to prevent toilet clogs.
• Install GFCI outlets near wet areas to detect pipe leaks.
• Clean P-traps under sinks every 6 months.

Unclogging pipes yourself keeps money flowing where it should--through your faucets instead of the plumber's pockets. Just remember your limits and don't hesitate calling in reinforcements for serious sewer troubles.