How to tackle your congested drainage problem
How to tackle your congested drainage problem
Do you know what the best way to unblock drains pipes is? Using a plunger is the most effective and fastest way to solve this common household problem. Using a drains pipes plunger is relatively simple to do. What you don’t want to do however is to vigorously pump up and down like a jack hammer. To achieve the desired effect, the drain should be totally covered with the head of the plunger and then the bell-shaped rubber must be pressed down slowly; next the handle should be pulled up fast and with good enough force to produce an effective suction. Hopefully the suction of the upwards movement of the drainage plunger will pull what ever is stuck in your drain pipe back up into the bathroom toilet, tub or sink. It should be noted here that some bath tubs and sinks have overspill outlets that must be plugged with a sponge or wet towel before using your plunger if this approach is to work.
An alternative for plunger is a chemical waste pipes clearance product, one that uses corrosive chemical to unclog the blockage of the drainage. However this option should be used only after you have used the plunger to unclog your drain. Let the chemicals stay in the drain for some time and then wash them out with hot water, do this slowly to ensure that the water is flowing away. Just to be careful, you must put on clothes that you wouldn’t care about if they get spoiled by dirt or harmful chemicals. If you plan to use the plunger after the application of chemical to remove the remaining debris, then eye protection is essential because the chemical laden water may back-splash on you and burn. The chemical product comes with specific manufacturer’s instructions; it is important to read and follow them carefully.
Another thing that you can do, if the plunger doesnt remove the blockage, is to use the pliers and pipe wrench to open the nuts that hold the P-trap in place. You should have a bucket and a towel handy as this can be a really dirty job. By covering the jaws of your wrench with electrical tape you will avoid damaging the chrome on your pipes and it will also allow you to get a better purchase of them. After you have removed the P-trap, clean it thoroughly to eradicate any solid material that may be blocking the pipe opening. If you dont find anything on the P-trap, then it means that the problem lies deeper somewhere between the trap and soil stack.
A toilet auger is the best tool for dealing with toilets that are blocked,. If you are attempting to clean the drain pipe of your tub or sink, you should use a drainage snake. Because of their size and length, drainpipe snakes are well designed for getting at stoppages in small spaces in difficult to reach places. Once the snake has reached the blockage you can twist the adjustable handle which will drill into the obstruction so you can then pull the material out. When you are sure that all the clogging material is cleared, replace the P-trap and test the drainage with hot water. Make certain the whole thing is tightly closed and check for any leakage in the P-trap and ensure that the water flows well.
If all the above enlisted methods fail to unclog your bathroom drainpipe, then you should call a professional drains pipes contractor. Some common issues that are beyond the capabilities of the common homeowner are stoppages in the soil stack or the sewer service by tree roots or even a collapsed pipe which could be the result of old age or deterioration of the pipes because of Mother Nature or an unforeseen Act of God.