Maintain Your Drains

What you need Got it Get it   Latex Gloves Bottle Brush Drain Cleaner Screwdriver

If you want your drains to flow like they should, you need to perform regular maintenance and cleaning. Keep drains free of items that clog them such as food, hair and soap scum. Try to clean drains regularly. Approximately once a month is good for routine maintenance.

Step 1. Keep Bath Drains Clean

Hair is the main source of clogs in shower and lavatory drains. Over time, hair and soap scum team up to form a clog that can slow your tub or sink. To prevent clogs from forming, you must stay vigilant in keeping hair from going down the drain.

Use tweezers to remove hair visible in the drain. You may need to use your fingers to get the hair out too. It's best to wear latex gloves because drains can be very dirty and slimy. Use your finger to remove the slime and soap scum from inside the drain. If you need to, use an old toothbrush to scrub away stubborn slime. Clean the drain with an abrasive cleaner and a rag or sponge and then run hot water for a couple of minutes.

Step 2. Clean the Kitchen Drain

Helpful Tip:

Use a sink strainer in your kitchen sink to catch as many food particles as possible to cut down on the chance of a clog.

Repair Clogged Drains

As soon as you notice that water seems to be draining more slowly than usual, it's time to clear a clog. Don't wait for the clog to grow and cause more serious problems. There isn't one method that always works to eliminate a stubborn clog so you may want to try a combination of the following methods.

Step 1. Use a Plunger

Using a plunger is the easiest and most cost-effective way to clear a clog. A plunger should be the first thing you try, before using a harsh chemical clog remover or before taking anything apart. Plungers are particularly effective for food particle clogs in the kitchen sink. A plunger also works on soap, grease and hair clogs in a tub, though often not as well. There is a risk that you will just force the clog further down the drain making it harder to remove.

First, remove the sink stopper. In a bathroom sink or tub, plug the overflow hole with a wet rag. This prevents the air pressure generated by the plunger from dissipating out of the overflow hole instead of acting on the clog. In a kitchen sink that has a dishwasher drain attached to the sink drain, use a clamp to crimp the dishwasher drain hose closed.

Place the plunger over the drain and add water as needed to cover the rubber cup. Then pump up and down quickly to dislodge the clog. Try running hot water down the drain for approximately 10 minutes if your clog hasn't completely backed up the drain. Afterward, try using the plunger again. If the clog remains, you'll need to try a different method.

What you need Got it Get it   Abrasive Cleaner Plunger Rag / Sponge Baking Soda Vinegar Pliers Auger Chemical Solution

Step 2. Clean Sink Trap

If a plunger fails, remove the trap below the sink. Usually you can loosen the slip nuts by hand, but if not, use channel-type pliers. Place a bucket under the trap to catch any spills and to hold the removed trap. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Use a bottlebrush to force any material out of the trap and clean it well with hot, soapy water. If the trap was not clogged, then it's likely that the clog is in the drainpipe and you'll need to use a snake (see step 4). In any event, always shine a light into the drainpipe to inspect for a clog. Replace the trap and then run water down the drain to see if the clog is gone.

Step 3. Use a Snake (Auger)

If you see a clog in a drainpipe, or if your sink or tub is still clogged after trying other removal methods, you may need to use a snake – also known as an auger – to clear it.

Insert the auger into the drainpipe slowly until you feel resistance. Crank the handle to get past any right-angle bends and continue to insert the auger until you feel soft resistance. Turn the handle to "screw" the snake into the clog and then withdraw it slowly. If you cannot withdraw it, just try to push the clog past whatever bend in the pipe is restricting it, hoping that it will break free and go down the drain.

Step 4. Use a Clog-Killing Chemical

This should be a last-case scenario. There are many well-known drain clog-removal products available at your local Topline store. They are often the first things tried when a drain clogs but keep in mind, they are harsh chemicals and should be used and handled properly.

Safety Alert!

Read the manufacturer's directions thoroughly. Chemical clog removers can irritate skin and not all of them are safe for every type of pipe or drain in a bathtub or sink.

If you prefer not to use a chemical clog remover, you can mix together a homemade remedy of baking soda and vinegar. Pour ½ cup baking soda and then a ½ cup of vinegar down the drain. Let the combination sit for about three hours before running water. When running water, turn it all the way to hot and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes.

If you've tried all these approaches and you still have a persistent clog, it may be time to throw up your hands, and reach for the phone – a plumber can get the job done.

Good job! Your pipes should now be in great shape. Keep them that way by periodically following the steps above to maintain them. For the rest of your home maintenance needs, visit your local Topline DIY store for the tools, products and expert advice you need to start right.