How To Clean Out Old Drain Pipes

Stand clear as you remove the plug and as you work on the clog.

How to clean out old drain pipes. The nut should thread out easily but if you see water or feel pressure in the line tighten the nut again and call a plumber to clear the clog in the line. Keeping your pipes clear of food waste soap and grease residue and hair or lint can start with being mindful of what you put down the drain. Before replacing the clean-out plug wrap Teflon tape around its threads.

Otherwise you will eventually have a clogged drain that does not empty properly. The traditional method used most of the time to clean cast iron pipes is a drain snake with cable and blades. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub.

This method is great when you have a clog but were talking about descaling the inner walls of the old cast iron pipes to. This will make it easier to unscrew the plug in the future. This is known as hard water and can become a problem for your drains and pipes if.

Use care to release the trigger to stop the flow of water before the nozzle reaches the drain opening. Wastewater may drain out when you open the clean-out and when you break the clog. After you have finished cleaning the drain pull the drain cleaner out.

Use a plunger to loosen buildup in your drain pipes. See below for toolsSUBSCRIBE to This Old House. If you have some baking soda to spare it doesnt hurt to throw a handful in every now and then and run some hot water in behind it.

A sewer camera inspection will confirm the condition of your cast iron sewer line prior to using any method. Use a pipe wrench or a set of large channel locks to slowly unscrew the nut from the pipe. Afterward mix 1 cup 240 mL of vinegar with 1 cup 240 mL of boiling water.