As we spend much of our time in the kitchen and bathrooms, it’s likely that the drains will get clogged up at some point. When it comes to pass, avoid the urge to pour a chemical drain cleaner into the sink, as these chemical drain cleaners are toxic liquids that can cause burns to your skin, and may be harmful to your plumbing system. Some chemical drain cleaners even corrode pipes. However, clogged drains are typically easy enough to correct on our own. The average homeowner should be capable to clear most clogged drains in two hours or less, depending on the severity of the clog. I will explain in this article a number of simple methods to unclog drains and how to prevent clogged drains in the future.
Many clogged drains begin with a collection of debris around the stopper or strainer of the drain. Sometimes the solution to a clogged drain is as simple as removing and cleaning the strainer. Below are a few tips to ensure that your drain strainer is clear:
The plunger is one of the most handy devices for unclogging drains. As long as the blockage is not too far into the main drain, the plunger can usually clear the drain. In order to effectively use the plunger place it over the drain and pump with an up and down 8-12 times. Quickly pull the plunger away from the drain on the last pump and see if the water drains down the sink. If it does not, repeat the pumping actions with the plunger to try to unclog the drain.
The obstruction may be further into the pipes or even in the main drains if the above steps have been followed and the drain is still clogged. Next you may want to move to a more advanced technique with the plumbers’ auger. The plumbers’ auger is more popularly referred to as a sewer snake, toilet jack or electric eel. A few key items to keep in mind when using the plumbers’ auger are as follows:
The above steps should help you to clear your drain of a blockage without calling a plumber. However if you are still experiencing issues after following the steps or are uncomfortable with any of the steps, you should seek professional assistance. The next step is to contact an expert to clear your plumbing system of any issues. Be sure any expert you contact is a Licensed Master Plumber, and if you are seeking a Columbus plumber contact Reid Plumbing and Gas Service.