It always happens at the most inconvenient time. Your drain backs up. A stopped up sink is an awful mess to contend with. You can't use your sink normally. You have to dip out the backed up water to even see the bottom of your sink. If you are fixing a meal or entertaining company, it is a frustrating development. The first thing to do is grab a plunger.
Many times, a blocked drain can be quickly cleared with a household plunger. A plunger is a tool no home should be without. If you get a good seal and are strong enough to work the plunger, you might be able to create enough pressure to force the clog on through your pipe so the water can flow normally again.
The tricky part of the procedure is to get a good seal with the drain and plunger. That's why plunging a bathtub doesn't work very well, there is an overflow outlet built into it that keeps you from creating a seal. A bathroom sink may be formed with a slope that interferes with your ability to use the plunger. Kitchen sinks are most suited for plunger use, but you may need to climb onto the counter to get enough strength behind the handle. If you have a double sink, don't forget to close off the opposite side or you will simply force air out of it rather than through the clogged pipe.
Plunging works well on clogs that can be forced loose by pressure and reshaped so they float on through the system. This typically includes food and hair clogs. What is your next move when the plunger doesn't do the job? You might think you should go buy a chemical drain cleaner. These products are dangerous and may not even be effective. If you are determined to try them, follow the instructions exactly as they are printed on the label to avoid injury.
Chemical drain cleaners contain acid and other harmful chemicals that burn your skin or cause blindness. When you use these cleaners, a chemical reaction takes place in your drain that might cause an eruption that splashes acid into your face. Never peer into a drain after you pour in chemical drain cleaner. Avoid using the plunger too. Call a plumber for help if your drain is still clogged after using a drain cleaner. Just let him know the pipe has drain cleaner in it so he won't get burned when he goes to work.
When plunging won't dislodge a food clog and a drain cleaner won't dissolve a grease clog, then your problem may be tree roots. If you have even a tiny crack in one of your outflow pipes, you probably won't be able to tell until the trees let you know. Trees and plants send their roots toward the water that seeps out and eventually invade your pipes. In time, the pipe drains slower and slower and eventually stops draining.
Although it is a big problem for you, a plumber has an easy fix in the form of a small machine that cuts through the roots and creates a wide opening for water to flow through freely. He may insert it through a drain or your toilet to find the clog. It is possible the fix will be temporary if the roots grow back in a couple of years. When tree roots are a problem, you should talk to a company that specializes in tree removal and tree pruning services so you can get rid of the trees that cause you ongoing problems with your drains.
Many times, a blocked drain can be quickly cleared with a household plunger. A plunger is a tool no home should be without. If you get a good seal and are strong enough to work the plunger, you might be able to create enough pressure to force the clog on through your pipe so the water can flow normally again.
The tricky part of the procedure is to get a good seal with the drain and plunger. That's why plunging a bathtub doesn't work very well, there is an overflow outlet built into it that keeps you from creating a seal. A bathroom sink may be formed with a slope that interferes with your ability to use the plunger. Kitchen sinks are most suited for plunger use, but you may need to climb onto the counter to get enough strength behind the handle. If you have a double sink, don't forget to close off the opposite side or you will simply force air out of it rather than through the clogged pipe.
Plunging works well on clogs that can be forced loose by pressure and reshaped so they float on through the system. This typically includes food and hair clogs. What is your next move when the plunger doesn't do the job? You might think you should go buy a chemical drain cleaner. These products are dangerous and may not even be effective. If you are determined to try them, follow the instructions exactly as they are printed on the label to avoid injury.
Chemical drain cleaners contain acid and other harmful chemicals that burn your skin or cause blindness. When you use these cleaners, a chemical reaction takes place in your drain that might cause an eruption that splashes acid into your face. Never peer into a drain after you pour in chemical drain cleaner. Avoid using the plunger too. Call a plumber for help if your drain is still clogged after using a drain cleaner. Just let him know the pipe has drain cleaner in it so he won't get burned when he goes to work.
When plunging won't dislodge a food clog and a drain cleaner won't dissolve a grease clog, then your problem may be tree roots. If you have even a tiny crack in one of your outflow pipes, you probably won't be able to tell until the trees let you know. Trees and plants send their roots toward the water that seeps out and eventually invade your pipes. In time, the pipe drains slower and slower and eventually stops draining.
Although it is a big problem for you, a plumber has an easy fix in the form of a small machine that cuts through the roots and creates a wide opening for water to flow through freely. He may insert it through a drain or your toilet to find the clog. It is possible the fix will be temporary if the roots grow back in a couple of years. When tree roots are a problem, you should talk to a company that specializes in tree removal and tree pruning services so you can get rid of the trees that cause you ongoing problems with your drains.
0 comments:
Post a Comment