Points to figure out that plugged drainage problem
Points to figure out that plugged drainage problem
Do you know what the best way to unblock drainage is? Using a plunger is the most effective and quickest way to solve this common household problem. The entire process of opening blocked drain pipe with a plunger is simple and straightforward. What you don’t want to do however is to vigorously pump up and down like a jack hammer. The most effective procedure to adopt is to cover the drainpipe 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 drain should come out with the upward pull on the waste pipes plunger. 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.
The other alternative to using your drains plunger is to use a commercial product that uses chemicals to loosen the blockage, such as caustic soda. 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. During the cleaning process, chemicals and dirt may spill over your clothes, therefore as a precaution wear old clothes. After chemical flushing, you may try the plunger again – this can cause the chemical/water mix to splash back on you – eye guards are highly advisable here. Make sure to follow the supplier’s guide so that you won’t come across any problems.
You can use a pipe wrench or pliers to unscrew the P-trap if you are unable to remove the clog with the plunger, this will give you access to the pipe. Now, this process can be really messy, so keep the towel and bucket handy. 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. Once the P-trap is removed, check the trap for any solid materials obstructing 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.
To unclog the toilet, you should use a toilet auger to get at these deep seated obstructions. With a bathtub or sink, however a drain snake should be used. drain pipe snakes are designed to reach deep down into the far reaches of your narrow pipes. 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. After removing the clog, reassemble the P-trap and let hot water flow into the drainpipe to double check it works properly. Everything should be sealed properly after the whole process is over, the P-trap and pipes should also be checked for any leaks.
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.