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Yes, you can use flexible pipe for a sink drain. Flexible pipes can make it easier to fit sink plumbing together with less measuring and fewer cuts. However, corrugated flexible pipe can trap hair, grease, and food particles in the folds and cause foul odors and eventually build up enough to clog the drain. Smooth pipes are recommended for sink drains and plumbing.

Most people tend to use outdoor spigots more frequently in the summer. Watering plants, filling kiddie pools, having neighborhood water fights, and washing cars and pets are all outdoor activities people do when it's hot and sunny. The heat causes the pipes to expand, weakening the metal and creating cracks. The sudden spike in water use combined with this effect is why pipes burst often in the summer.

If you try a drain snake and various DIY methods for unclogging drains to no avail, bring in a professional plumber to assess the situation. Also, if multiple drains in your home are backing up or you smell sewage, a visit from a plumber is best. You can expect your drain cleaning costs to fall around $250, and this can include an assessment of what’s caught in your plumbing and if there’s a larger, underlying problem. You should also consider calling a pro if you need to snake a toilet, as DIYing this could lead to a cracked fixture.

Replacing cast iron pipes when they’ve reached the end of their life span is key to preventing leaks and clogs. Over time, cast iron pipes corrode and experience pipe scale, which thickens the inside of the walls and increases the chance of clogs while also decreasing water flow. As the material deteriorates, you could experience costly leaks that increase reparation expenses. 

Cast iron can last between 50 and 75 years, but it’s still a good idea to check for leaks as your pipes approach the 25-year mark, as pipes can already show signs of deterioration within the first three decades.