High-speed relief for your dwellings blocked drains
High-speed relief for your dwellings blocked drains
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. The process is pretty straightforward to apply. But you should avoid applying unnecessarily too much force to the plunger when pulsating it up and down. To achieve the desired effect, the drain pipe 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. 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 overspill holes that must be closed with a sponge or wet towel before proceeding with the plunger.
Chemical unblocking agents can also be used to dislodge or dissolve clogged matter. The chemicals are normally applied only after an unsuccessful attempt to remove the blockage using a plunger. You should allow the chemicals time to take effect and then, once the material that is clogging the drainpipe has been disintegrated you can flush it out with hot water. During the cleaning process, chemicals and dirt may spill over your clothes, therefore as a precaution wear old clothes. Eye protection is not a bad idea either if you plan on plunging again in case there is any residual back splash of chemical laden water. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any unnecessary issues.
If both the plunger and chemicals fail to alleviate the clogging problem you have, then you can try unscrewing the nuts on the P-trap with pliers or a pipe wrench to gain access to the pipe. This will create quite a mess so be ready with a towel and pail. 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 disassembling the P-trap, examine the trap for anything blocking the mouth of the pipe. If the plunger, the chemical or trap removal does not help, then the blockage could be much deeper in the pipework.
A deep blockage in the toilet can be loosened by a toilet auger. However a plumbers drain pipe snake is more suitable for bath tub or kitchen sink drainage. drainage snakes are manufactured to be able to access the far side of your pipes as narrow as they may be. 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. The P-trap should be reconnected once the obstruction is cleared, slowly flush the drain pipe 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 none of the steps you have taken work, it is time to bring in an expert plumber. Some common issues 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.