Snaking Could Be The Solution When You Have A Bad Sink Clog

Kitchen drain clogs can often be cleared with a plunger and strong arms, but sometimes the clog is so deep that a plunger is ineffective. In those cases, a pipe snake could be the most effective way to eliminate the clog. If you're handy with tools, it's a good idea to buy an inexpensive pipe snake or auger to have on standby for clearing clogs yourself. If the clog isn't too bad, you might have success with the auger. If not, then calling a plumber to clear the drain with more powerful equipment is necessary. Here's a look at the process of clearing a kitchen drain clog.

Remove The Trap Under The Sink

If you have a newer home with plastic pipes, then unscrewing the trap under the sink should be easy. If you have an older home with metal pipes that haven't been bothered in years, then the trap may be locked in place due to corrosion and scale that's coated the pipe. The inability to remove the trap could be the main stumbling block to DIY repairs because if you try to force the trap off, you could break the pipe and create a bigger problem.

The trap will be full of water, so be sure to put a bucket under the pipe to keep water from spilling on the floor when you remove it. Once you have the trap out, you can examine it for clogs and clean it out if it's the problem. If the trap is clear, then the clog is deeper in the line.

Advance The Snake Into The Pipe

With the curved trap out of the way, you or the plumber will have access to a straight pipe that you can feed the snake into. A home snake is operated with a hand crank while a plumber may use one that's powered by electricity. The snake has a cutting edge on the end that allows it to punch through a clog; even clogs caused by tree roots. While a home snake might be too short or not strong enough to clear a bad clog, a commercial snake is usually able to handle the job. However, in some cases, your plumber may want to try hydro jetting instead of snaking.

Hydro jetting uses a forceful stream of water to wash away a clog and scrub the sides of the pipe. It's a powerful way to clean clogs, but not always appropriate for clearing kitchen sinks. Your plumber will decide on the right way to clear the clog, so your drains are not damaged in the process. For more information, contact a company like Two Men And A Snake today.