Clogged Pipe? You’ve Got This.
Clogged pipes are a major inconvenience that can turn into a major mess. Enlisting a plumber for help can drag out the process and cost you a pretty penny. Thankfully, you don’t need handyman-level skills to clear a drain, you just must be willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen. Here are a few strategies you can try on your own:
- Plunging
- Removing the stopper and clearing the blockage
- Using hot water, baking soda and vinegar
If those strategies don’t get the job done, turn to a more powerful option — renting a drain cleaner. That way, you can remedy the problem quickly and on your terms. Depending on the size and difficulty of the clog, you’re looking at a plumbing snake or some type of drain-cleaning machine.
Drain snakes are usually hand-operated devices designed for light clogs, while drain cleaning machines are larger, more powerful and built to tackle stubborn clogs. Rental store experts can help you determine the best option for your specific situation.
What is a drain snake?
A drain snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a specialized head that’s inserted into the drain to break up a clog. When you rent a drain snake, ensure it’s long enough for the job. For most clogs, a 50-foot snake is sufficient. Ask for a tutorial on how to use the plumbing snake rental, too. It’s a great DIY tool, but using the snake incorrectly can cause tearing and leaking in the pipes.
What is a drain cleaning machine?
Generally speaking, you rent a drain cleaning machine to remove clogs from drains and pipes. These include manual and automatic models, such as handheld cable machines, drum cable machines, air-burst cleaners, hydro jetter cleaners and video inspection machines. The exact type you’ll need depends on the size of your drain and what’s clogging it.
The most common drain cleaning machine homeowners rent is a sectional cable machine. Why? They’re portable and fit nicely into most vehicles. Sectional cable machines do take a bit longer to use since you’re required to couple and uncouple small segments of cable to make it longer and shorter. It can also be messy inside a home since the drum is caged, and not fully enclosed. Go ahead and ask the rental store if a disposable cover can be used in conjunction with the machine to prevent spraying.
The alternative to a manual machine is an automatic machine, such as a continuous cable machine. If you want the project done quickly and with professional-quality results, this is the way to go. Continuous cable machines use a power auger to drive the cable into the drain, then retract it, at up to 20 feet per minute. All liquid and debris are fully contained due to the enclosed drum, resulting in minimal mess. The only downside is these machines are typically heavier and more difficult to maneuver.
Next steps
In the unlikely event the clog won’t budge, or if you’ve lost a valuable item down the drain, rent a drain camera instead of a drain cleaner. These have a small cable-mounted sewer camera that feeds the recorded images to a video monitor. That way, you can view the inside of the pipe and get to the root of the problem quickly and confidently.
When your quick DIY project turns into a larger deep-cleaning task or opens up the door to more projects, your local rental store has the tools you need to tackle it all. To locate a rental store in your area, use the store locator above.