The optimal repairs to decongest choked drains in your home
The optimal repairs to decongest choked drains in your home
Do you know what the best way to unblock drainage is? Using a plunger is the most effective and speediest way to solve this common household problem. Using a plunger is very simple if you know how. But don’t just shove the plunger into the drainpipe and start pumping it violently, you could make matters much worse. The most effective procedure to adopt is to cover the drainage completely with the bell-shaped head of the plunger and push down gently, then come up quickly and forcefully creating suction. So any material that is stuck into the bathroom, sink or tub drainage should come out with the upward pull on the drainage plunger. Some tubs and sinks have an overflow outlet; remember to plug this outlet with the help of a wet towel or sponge before using the plunger.
Instead of using your plunger you can apply commercial products containing chemicals that can dissolve the clog, for instance concentrated drainage cleaner. The chemicals are normally applied only after an unsuccessful attempt to remove the clog using a plunger. The solutions should be left alone for sometime as they loosen up the blockage, then you should pour down hot water into the drain pipe to clear the whole thing out. Because these chemicals can be corrosive or contain bleach you should only wear clothes that you are happy to be damaged. Putting on eye cover will be a good idea if you intend to plunge again and prevent the splattering of left over chemicals into your eye. To avoid unwarranted problems from creeping up, follow the manufacturers instructions ardently.
If the plunger does not work, try detaching the drainpipe trap by removing the bolts with suitable tools. You should have a bucket and a towel handy as this can be a really dirty job. Chrome plated fittings can be protected from scratches by taping up the teeth of the pliers or wrench; that should also give you a firmer grip on the nuts of the trap. After you have removed the P-trap, clean it thoroughly to eradicate any solid material that may be blocking the pipe opening. Unfortunately if you can’t find anything, the problem probably runs a lot deeper and could be anywhere between the trap and the soil stack.
A deep blockage in the toilet can be loosened by a toilet auger. A drainpipe snake should be used if you are trying to unclog your sink or tub. Because of their size and length, drain snakes are well designed for getting at obstructions in small spaces in difficult to reach places. Once you have pushed deep enough, rotate the handle to screw and hook into the blockage and slowly draw it out, this should pull the blockage with it. The P-trap should be reconnected once the obstruction is cleared, slowly flush the drainpipe with hot water to confirm that there is no obstruction and that there are no leaks. Finally, you should double check that everything is sealed properly, tightly screwed into place and make sure that the P-trap does not have any leaks.
If the drain is still clogged up after all these measures, or if the problem reoccurs chronically, employ a competent plumber or waste pipes contractor to fix it. Professional plumbers can identify and solve serious issues like aged pipes caving in, tree root invasion, blocked sewer line or soil stack; these should not be attempted by the homeowner as you will not have the right tools to solve the problem.