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Blocked drains are undoubtedly inconvenient and though they can often be
prevented, they remain a part of modern day plumbing. The day may come
when there is a quiet, solitary burble, and the dirty grey dishwater
settles. The water stagnates, and staring and waiting for the water to
swoosh nicely down the drain will do little to help a blocked drain
clear.
Chemical products in stagnant water are dangerous and hazardous, and
often are not the best solution. Such products should only be used for
sluggish or slow-moving drains and not on completed blocked drains.
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There are a few ways you can attempt to clear a blocked drain yourself
without calling a professional plumber and soon have water running freely
through the pipes again.
Clear the
Blockage
The workings involved in plumbing
and pipes are both simple and rather complex at the same time. Complex in
that there is more inside the pipes of your home than first meets the eye;
simple in that with a little knowledge, clearing a blocked drain is
relatively easy for homeowners to accomplish.
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The first step
is eliminating any blockage near the drain itself. Blocked bathroom drains
are generally caused by hair and soap scum that collects just inside the
drain. With a length of wire, a screwdriver, or a long, thin implement,
clear the blocked drain by trying to pull the mass out, bit by bit.
Sinks may have
blockage near the drain as well. If possible, remove the cleanout plug and
loosen the clog to clear the blockage. |
Use a plunger
and some elbow power
A plunger is the next resort.
Cover the drain with the plunger, making sure that there is enough water in
the sink or bathtub to cover the plunger cup. Coating the rim of the plunger
cup with petroleum jelly can help create a tighter seal for more suction.
Press the plunger cup over the drain, and pump the plunger 15 to 20 strokes.
In many cases this will clear parts of the blockage and water may begin to
flow.
Photo: Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus
Snaking down
with a Drain Auger
A drain auger – sold at most
hardware and home supply stores – may be required the if the water is still
stagnant. Remove filters or stops on the sink or tub, and guide a drain
auger down into the pipes, working the auger carefully in the bends of the
pipe. The auger should eventually catch on the blockage, and gentle pulling
may loosen and clear the blocked drain.
Should the blockage in a sink be
too far down the pipe for a drain auger to reach, removing the sink trap,
catching the draining water in a bucket and working the auger through the
opening of the sink trap may allow further reach.
Once the blocked drain is clear,
run scalding hot water through the pipes for a good ten minutes to remove as
much residue as possible and reduce the chances of the blockage reoccurring
again in a following weeks. Though it takes a little perseverance and some
patience, the homeowner can often unblock a blocked drain without needing to
call professional plumber and pay an expensive service call.
About the Author:
Article written by Jonathan Wakefield and provided courtesy of PAV Plumbing.
Where a blocked drain cannot be cleared by following the above steps, it may
be further down the line and require a professional plumber.
PAV Plumbing specializes in unblocking
blocked drains using plumbers snakes, high
pressure water jetters and cctv drain cameras.
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For information on how to install a new
faucet, See HomeAdditionPlus.com's "Installing
a New Faucet Ebook". It provides in-depth, easy to
understand, step-by-step instructions and pictures, on how to install a new
Faucet.
Additional Home Plumbing Resources
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