Plan to deflect plugged drains pipes
Plan to deflect plugged drains pipes
Do you know what the best way to unblock drains is? Using a plunger is the most effective and fastest way to solve this common household problem. What’s involved is very clear, cover the drainage with the plunger and push. But the last thing you want to do is be too aggressive and pulse to quickly. For the best results you should place the head of the plunger over the drainpipe, smoothly push down and bring up again quickly creating and even suction in the drainage pipe. In theory the suction created by pulling up quickly will dislodge the material that is clogging your bathtub, toilet or sink. Some tubs and sinks have an overspill outlet; remember to plug this outlet with the help of a wet towel or sponge before using the plunger.
You could use a waste pipes clearance chemical that is designed to break down the material instead of the more conventional plunger. These products should be used only when the plunger has failed to clean out your bathroom drain. Leave the chemical for a few minutes so that it loosens the blockage, and then use hot water to rinse out the drainage, taking care not to splash yourself. 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.
If the plunger still doesn’t make any difference after the chemical treatment you could use pliers or a pipe wrench to loosen the P-trap nuts. Removing the drainpipe trap can release a sudden rush of waste water, so keep a mop and pail handy, put a bucket underneath the p-trap before you disconnect it. If you don’t want to damage the chrome finish of your pipes and also to get a better grip on the pipe, you can wrap the jaws of your wrench with electrical tape. With the trap opened, insert gloved hands to remove any debris that may be blocking the bends. But in case you are unable to find any blockage, chances are that the problem lies deep down between the soil stack and the trap and you will need additional tools.
If you are trying to unclog your toilet you can use a toilet auger. If you are attempting to clean the drainage of your tub or sink, you should use a drain pipe snake. drain pipe snakes are manufactured to be able to access the far side of your pipes as narrow as they may be. By turning the handle to dig into the blockage, you can bring the clog up and away from the drain pipe. After removing the blockage, reassemble the P-trap and let hot water flow into the drainpipe to double check it works properly. Make sure that all the connections are properly fitted and sealed, and also check the P-trap for leakages.
After trying all of these methods and you still have a water flow problem, it is time to contact a drainage contractor or local plumber. Professional plumbers can identify and solve serious problems 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.