Removing Drain Clogs

Posted by | Posted on 1:41 AM

By Scott Rodgers

Clogged drain is one of the most common plumbing issue faced at home. It is one of the most frustrating job for anyone. Liquid drain cleaners are the first resort for this problem, reason being they are easy to use, supposed to be quick and the best part is, you don't have to get your hands dirty.

One should be very careful while using these chemical products. If your home has a septic system, make sure that the cleaner specifies it is safe for use in septic systems. Different types of drain clog removers may target different types of problems and have different instructions. Make sure you follow them to get the maximum effectiveness.

If the liquid cleaner does not work, you can go for the old faithful plunger. It works on the concept of hydraulic pressure to move the blockage. The problem with this approach in a kitchen or bathroom sink is, that the drain may not be the only outlet. There are often multiple drains or overflow connections which make a plunger useless in these cases.

If a plunger does not work for you, remove the sink trap. But, before removing it, be sure to remove as much sink water as you can. And if you have already used chemicals on the drain, be very careful while working with it as there can still be some leftovers in the sink.

Check the removed trap properly. See if there is any stuck in particles. You can check the trap in some other sink to see if it is working properly or you can use a clothes hanger to remove the blockage. If you find some clogged material in the trap, remove it and then re install the trap. But, if there is no blockage in the trap, go for some other more effective plumbing tools.

Another plumbing tool that can help clear a drain clog is a plumbers snake(auger). It is a long, adjustable spring that can be inserted into the drain. It is affordable and is easily available at any plumbing store.

Put the auger into the drain. Push it down untill you find a blockage. Turn and twist the tool so that you can catch the clog into it. If it is a hard substance, it can take some time to get out but softer clogs can be easily removed with water pressure.

If neither the drain cleaners nor the plumbing tools work for you, it is better to call a profesional plumber as it is better to leave some jobs for the experts only. These are talented people and are capable enough to handle any kind of complicated tasks. They can also suggest you the preventive measures that you should follow in future to take care of your plumbing system.

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