Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
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Improvement Inside And Out
Unclogging Drains
Toilets typically clog inside the trap that is built into the toilet; the
correct tool for this job is a closet auger, they are around three feet in
length.
A plunger will generally free the blockage with little difficulty, however
if that does not work place an auger into your toilet, and shove the flexible
cable into your drain and then crank the auger to the right until it comes to
a stop then push forward. You may feel the auger grab something or it might
break up the clog. If it feels like it grabbed something, remove it and check.
If it is stuck, lightly turn the crank back and forth or push and pull the
tube, under no circumstances should you force the auger, or you can end up
breaking the toilet porcelain. Once you have broken up the blockage use the
plunger once more to make certain that the clog is gone. Pour a pail full of
hot water into the toilet bowl to make certain that it empties before you
flush your toilet.
Unclogging Bathtub Drains
Bathtubs that are clogged are frequently a simple job to unclog. Hair tends
to accumulate at the drain and can be simply removed to clear the blockage.
If there is a screen over your drain, take it off and push in a bent
coat hanger to pull out any debris or hair that might be plugging your drain.
If you have a pop-up drain, raise it and attempt to pull the debris out.
If this does not remove the blockage, try using a plunger. You will have to
plug the opening underneath the overflow plate so that pressure does not come
out there.
If a plunger does not work, you will have to use the plumber’s snake like
before, but push it in through your overflow plate. Normally two screws hold
the overflow plate in place. The majority of bathtub blockages are within the
first four feet of your drain. The plumber’s snake will be harder to push
through your pipe because of the S-shaped trap beneath your floor. Just
like with your sink, the first time might not fix the problem, so you will
have to retry the procedure. Once the blockage is cleared, re-assemble the
overflow and drain screen. Run hot water for about five minutes to clean out
any remaining debris.
Unclogging Shower Drains
Once in a while, hair will gather at the drain causing a blockage, but most
of the time, the blockage will be deeper.
Most problems can be prevented by fitting your shower drain with a screen
to stop hair from entering into your drain.
If your pipe is clogged, first try using a plunger. Usually a plumber’s
snake will be required it may take the full-length reach the blockage. You
will have to take off the drain cover that is generally held in place with two
screws. Unclogging Kitchen Sink Drains
If you have a double kitchen sink, you have to keep the stopper in the
other side and hold it tightly in place, so that pressure does not come out
there, but goes straight to the clog. You should apply a thick layer of
petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger prior to using it to create a tight
seal; this will give you greater suction.
If this does not unclog your drain, you should push a plumbers snake
through your pipe underneath your sink. Look to see if your trap has a
clean-out plug. If it does, remove it, and push a coat hanger that you have
straightened out around the bends of your trap to eliminate any debris.
If you still cannot free the clog, you will have to take the trap apart.
Large nuts on both ends hold the trap together. You need to use a pipe wrench
to remove them. Use care so that you do not damage the nuts.
When you have removed the trap, make sure that it is free of any debris. If
it is, push the plumbers snake into your drainpipe that goes into your wall.
Eventually you should reach the clog, however this could be as far in as eight
to twelve feet into your drainpipe. As you twist the snake, push it in an
additional foot or two into the drainpipe, and then pull it out. There should
be some debris on the end of the plumbers snake.
Put the trap back together and run hot water through the pipe. If it is
still clogged, use the plunger once more. You might have to go over the entire
procedure once more.
Unclogging Bathroom Sink Drains
The majority of clogs in bathroom sinks are caused by hair collecting in
your drain. Remove the drain plug and use a bent coat hanger to remove any
debris in the pipe that is above the sink’s trap, this will usually clear
the blockage. If this does not remove the clog, use a plunger.
Make certain to plug up any overflow holes with a cloth before plunging so
that pressure does not come out there. If that does not work, you will have to
use the plumber’s snake. Follow the same steps as explained under kitchen
sinks. Unclogging Main Drain Blockages
This is a blockage in the main drain that leads out of your house. Blockage
in the main line that leads to the street can be the most difficult of all and
may signify a more serious problem that only a professional is best equipped
to deal with. You should have a professional do the job.
