A blocked water pipe is a hassle that most people will eventually have to deal with. They are not the most catastrophic plumbing problem you will ever have to worry about, but they can be rather annoying nonetheless. That is because they can result in a slow drain if there is a partial blockage or a backed-up sink or tub if there is a complete blockage.
Fortunately, a blocked water pipe is one of the easier plumbing problems to solve; you might not even need to call a professional plumber to help you. All you need is some common, easy-to-get items, and you can solve the problem of a blocked water pipe yourself.
Use Drain Cleaners
Your first instinct when you realize that your water pipe is blocked is likely to be to get a bottle of chemical drain cleaner. That can sometimes work, but it may not be a good idea if your home was built before 1970. It may have metal pipes, and the chemicals in drain cleaners can be corrosive to metal. Before you try using chemical drain cleaners, you should find out what kind of pipes are in your home and ensure that the drain cleaner will not damage them.
If chemical corrosion is a concern, you can purchase an organic, non-corrosive, environmentally-friendly drain cleaner instead. You can also try powder cleaners because they are less corrosive than liquid chemical cleaners, and they work quickly. However, you will need to run some hot water into the blocked water pipe before using the powder.
Use Homemade Solutions
Instead of buying a bottle of drain cleaner, you can make your own using common household ingredients. Hot water, baking soda, and vinegar are all you need to clear out a blocked drain. The combination of baking soda and hot water will loosen the clog, and the vinegar will help to dislodge it. Not only is this method easy to accomplish, but it also will not corrode the pipes, and it is environmentally friendly as well.
Use a Drain Snake
If you are not interested in chemical solutions and prefer a mechanical one instead, then you can try using a drain snake, also called a plumbing snake or a drain auger. This is a device that professional plumbers use, but it can be found in any home improvement store. A drain snake has a flexible piece of steel with a tight spiral on end called an auger. The snake is extended into the blocked drain until it hits the obstruction. When that happens, the user twirls the snake around to loosen the blockage. This process is repeated until the clog is completely cleared. A drain snake is safe for the pipes and does not have an environmental impact. It is also an excellent tool to use if a backed-up drain has caused the sink or tub to overflow because chemical cleaners would be difficult to use in such a scenario.
Use a Plunger
Plungers are typically used in toilets, but they can be used with any clogged pipe, though there are special plungers made just for sinks. The technique for using a plunger on a drain is much the same as using it on a toilet. You place the rubber suction cup over the drain hole, press it down, and then work the handle up and down until the blockage is dislodged. The versatility of the plunger makes it a great tool to use when you need to clear a drain.
Use a High-Pressure Drain Blaster
This is a tool that uses compressed air to blast the blockage right out of the pipe. They are inexpensive devices that can be found at most home improvement stores. They are straightforward to use; you need to pump the handle of the drain blaster a few times to build up the air pressure and then release the built-up pressure into the drain.
Know When to Hire Professionals
While many blocked water pipe issues can be resolved with DIY methods, there are times when it may be best to call in a professional. This is especially true if you have an older home with outdated plumbing that may require more extensive repairs or replacements. Additionally, if your home relies on a septic system, a local septic pumping service can help identify and rectify underlying issues before they escalate. Understanding your limit with DIY solutions can save you time, stress, and potentially costly repairs down the line. However, for minor blockages, the following methods can help you clear a blocked water pipe quickly and easily.
Clean Out The Pipes
This is the most complicated way to clear a blocked drain, but it is also the one with the highest chance of success. Cleaning the pipe involves removing the part of the pipe called the U-bend or P trap. It is found under the kitchen or bath sink and is easily identifiable since it is the u-shaped part of the pipe.
First, you need to place a bucket or bowl underneath the U-bend to catch any water that spills out of the pipe. Next, you need to remove the retaining caps of the U-bend with a wrench and then remove the U-bend itself. Carefully clear out whatever is causing the clog and then reattach the U-bend. This should clear out the drain, but if it does not, then there may be a problem further along the pipe. If that is the case, then the intervention of a plumber will be necessary.
There Are Many DIY Methods Of Clearing a Blocked Water Pipe
As you can see, a blocked water pipe does not mean that you have to call a plumber as soon as possible. There are many different ways that you can do it yourself, most of which are cheap, easy, and effective. So make sure to try one of them the next time you have a slow or completely blocked drain and make a call to the plumber the last resort instead of the first.