Wastewater pipe clogged
By Yanzalong
@yanzalong (19091)
Indonesia
August 25, 2012 10:44am CST
The wastewater pipe is being clogged. For the time being I cannot use the kitchen sink as the wastewater pipe from the sink to the gutter is being clogged? I tried my head off to get rid of the clog but my effort was fruitless. I used a rubber tube that I inserted into the wastewater pipe. The rubber tube went in for one meter but it hit a hard clog. It was felt like a stone but I didn’t think it was. It may have been deposition of waste that came with the wastewater. Last year I had similar problem and used the same method but it worked.
What do you use to get rid of the clog? Does anyone have similar experience?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
25 Aug 12
Before you use acid you need to check to see what kind of pipes you have. Some pipes won't stand having acid poured down them. It sounds like it might be a combination clog of grease, soap, food scraps and other stuff.
Try putting some vinegar down the pipe and let it sit for awhile...about half an hour. Then take a gallon pot of boiling water and pour it down the drain. You might also add a half a cup of salt to the vinegar in the drain. The vinegar and salt will cut through any grease. Even if you don't cook with grease, the soap contains grease...actually oils to make it soapy. Anyhow pour the boiling water down the drain. If it doesn't start running on its own, then use another pot of boiling water. Also you might get some stiff wire (like a heavy coat hanger) and run it down the drain. Every little bit of digging at the clog helps shift it with the boiling water. After you get the clog moved and the pipes are running freely, periodically run the hot water a longer time to wash any build up away so that you don't form another clog. In the U.S. we have a tool that is called a snake. It is a long metal object that is able to be put down the drain and moved around easily. On the end of the snake is a barb made up of four prongs that will cut through the clog. They are really handy for removing clogs. But between using the vinegar, salt and boiling water I haven't had the problems with clogs. Of course the other thing I do is keep all the fats and greases from going down the drain.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
26 Aug 12
I would give a try all your valuable suggestion my friends. Thank you so much. Till now I am still doing the best I can.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
26 Aug 12
Cold water will cause the grease to solidify and harden. Grease is a substance that reacts to "hot". If you want grease to liquify in the skillet you need to turn on the heat, if you want it out of your drain you need to add hot water otherwise it will solidify along the walls of your pipes and will build up a grease ball. I keep my drains running freely by pouring boiling water down them at least once a week.
If you pour hot grease in the sink you do need to pour cold on it to solidify it and get as much off the sink before it goes down the drain. Otherwise it will go down and mess up your pipes. I also keep an empty can around to pour the grease in so it doesn't go down my drain.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
27 Aug 12
Hi all, finally I had no choice. I had to dig out the other end of the pipe outside the kitchen. I manage to find the pipe and dug out about half a meter long to make a space to insert the hose inside the pipe to break the hardened grease that block the water passage. Thank God after trying hard and wounded my fingers the water passage from the sink ran well again.
I will follow your suggestion to pour hot water into the pipe once a week to avoid the clog.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
25 Aug 12
If using strong chemical and acid treatment don't work, then this one solution will definitely work to solve the problem, go buy a new wastewater pipe, get rid of the clog one, and replace it. The last option available is always the best one, you have a new pipe for your sink. 
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
5 Sep 12
I had to dig out where the pipe was. It was at the end of sewer outside the house. From there I tried to insert a plastic hose into the sewer. It worked after a long effort.
@deodavid (4147)
• Philippines
25 Aug 12
I think you can try hydrochloric acid but am not really sure if that is the kind of acid to use on clogged pipes anyway you can also try water that is boiled to soften the matter then try again the thing that you used but i doubt it will really work but it worked for me before but the clog was soft anyway i hope you get done with the clog my friend.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
25 Aug 12
Hi deo, thank for your suggestion. I will give it another try first thing in the morning. I am now already tired. I hope tomorrow I will get more power to do it again.
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
25 Aug 12
I also experience the same thing yanzalong. What we do is we pour in hot water but if it didn't work, we use the chemical to unclog the pipe.
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
5 Sep 12
To avoid a clogged sewer, I think we have to pour hot water at least once a week into the sewer. This will liquidate the accumulation of fat. Don't you think so?
