Unblock Drains, Quick respite for your obstructed drains
Quick respite for your families obstructed drains and advice on how to unblock drains.
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 drain pipe with the plunger and push to have the best chance to unblock drains. But remember you should avoid applying unnecessarily too much force to the plunger when pulsating it up and down. To ensure that the plunger works effectively, wholly cover the drain pipe with its bell-shaped head, and gently push it down once, and immediately come up, so that suction is created. In theory the suction created by pulling up quickly will dislodge the material that is clogging your bathtub, toilet or sink. Note that some tubs and sinks are fitted with overflow holes that must be closed with a sponge or wet towel before proceeding with the plunger.
You could use a drainage clearance chemical that is designed to break down the material instead of the more conventional plunger to unblock drains. However this option should be used only after you have tried to use the plunger to unclog your drainpipe. Let the chemicals stay in the drainage pipe for some time and then wash them out with hot water, do this slowly to ensure that the water is flowing away. Because these chemicals can be corrosive or contain bleach you should only wear clothes that you are happy to be damaged when you unblock drains. 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. Also remember to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully so that you do not create new problems.
The next thing to unblock drains you can attempt to use if your plunger is ineffective is to loosen the nuts holding the P-trap in place with pliers or a pipe wrench. This will create quite a mess so be ready with a towel and pail. In order to avoid scratching the chrome surface of your pipes while at the same time getting a tight hold up them, you can cover the metal jaws of your wrench with electrical tape. After you have removed the P-trap, clean it thoroughly to eradicate any solid material that may be blocking the pipe opening. If you don’t find anything on the P-trap, then it means that the problem lies deeper somewhere between the trap and soil stack.
A deep clog in the toilet can be loosened by a toilet auger. If you are attempting to unblock drains and clean the drainage of your tub or sink, you should use a drain snake. Plumbers drainpipe snakes have been specifically designed to enter deep into the narrow pipes. A plumbers drain snake has an adjustable handle which is used to make a drill into the clog, it then becomes easy to remove the obstruction by pulling it upwards. When you are sure that all the clogging material is cleared, replace the P-trap and test the drainpipe 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 the drainpipe is still blocked after all these measures, or if you need to unblock drains chronically, employ a competent plumber or drainage contractor to fix it. Some common problems that are beyond the capabilities of the common homeowner are blockages 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.