By Lizzie Weakley
It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare: you wake up one morning to find that your pipes are clogged and not draining properly. And to make matters even worse, the temperature outside is cold—very cold. If you’re dealing with a clogged pipe, especially in colder climates, there are several methods you can use to help clear them and get your plumbing back on track.
Boiling Water
One of the simplest methods for clearing a clogged pipe is also one of the least expensive. Boiling water can help melt away any blockages caused by grease or fat deposits that have built up in your pipes over time. Just be sure to pour it slowly around the edges of the sink or bathtub so as not to scald yourself or damage anything else in your bathroom. You may want to try this method a few times before moving onto something more drastic.
Drain Cleaner
If boiling water doesn’t do the trick, then it might be time for some drain cleaner. Drain cleaners come in both liquid and powder form, so be sure to read the instructions carefully before using either one. These chemicals are highly corrosive, so exercise caution when handling them and make sure you wear gloves to protect your hands from burns or other injury. Also, keep in mind that these chemicals should only be used as a last resort since they can cause damage to your pipes if used too often.
Plunging
The plunger has long been a go-to tool for unclogging drains and toilets alike, but did you know that it can also work wonders on clogged pipes? All you need is an old towel and some rubber gloves; then simply stick the plunger over the pipe opening and give it several firm plunges until any blockage is cleared out of the way. Again, take care when handling this tool as it can cause serious injury if used incorrectly or too forcefully.
Professional Help
If all else fails and you still haven’t managed to clear out your clogged pipes, then it might be time to call in some professional help from a plumber or seek out services like high-pressure line water jetting. Plumbers will have access to specialized tools such as augers and snakes which are designed specifically for clearing out difficult blockages like tree roots or broken waste items that have become stuck inside your pipe system. Depending on how bad the blockage is they may even need to replace sections of pipe altogether. Additionally, high-pressure water jetting can remove even the most difficult clogs.
No matter what type of issue you’re facing with your plumbing system—from clogged pipes to broken fixtures—it never hurts to know what options are available when it comes time for repairs or maintenance work. With these four simple methods at your disposal, you should now have no problem clearing away any stubborn blockages that may arise due to cold weather conditions! Remember, always use caution when dealing with plumbing repairs and don't hesitate to contact a professional if things seem too difficult for DIY maintenance work!
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.
