Clogged Drain Video

Clogged Drain

Clogged drains can be easy to clear if the drainpipes are designed properly. If you need to make a 90-degree bend, don't just do it with a standard elbow. It may be too hard to get a snake down past this hard bend. Instead, use a gentle bend elbow. The bend is larger to make it plumbing snake friendly.

Another option is to use two 45-degree elbows with a short section of pipe in between. The further apart the two elbows, the easier for the snake to get through.

To help with clogs in the future, when installing the drains, use a Y fitting and a 45-degree elbow. The Y fitting has the first part of the turn and the 45 degree elbow completes the turn. On the straight section of the Y, insert the clean-out fitting. Now you have access to the drain without having to disassemble any connections. Remove the clean out plug and you can gain access to the clogged drain.

Tim Carter

Tim built custom homes and did ultra-custom remodeling for 20+ years before launching his Ask the Builder media presence. He was selected as one of the Big 50 by Remodeling magazine in 1993. This award gave birth to Ask the Builder in October 1993. Tim also operates https://DrawPlumbingPlans.com. His @askthebuilder YouTube channel was the first home improvement channel on YouTube.