Send Away obstructed drains pipes with this plan
Send Away obstructed drains pipes with this plan
What comes to mind quickly when faced with plugged drains pipes in your bathroom? The simplest one is to use the good old plunger. The process is pretty straightforward to apply. The plunger will not work if you vigorously push it up and down very but not like a pneumatic drill. The most effective procedure to adopt is to cover the drain pipe completely with the bell-shaped head of the plunger and push down gently, then come up quickly and forcefully creating suction. So any material that is stuck into the bathroom, sink or tub drain should come out with the upward pull on the drains plunger. It should be noted here that some bath tubs and sinks have overflow outlets that must be plugged with a sponge or wet towel before using your plunger if this approach is to work.
Chemical unblocking agents can also be used to dislodge or dissolve choked matter. This is usually done after you attempt to unplug your drain using your plunger. The chemicals must sit for a while as it eats away at the blockage, then you must run hot water down the drainage to flush it out. As a precaution you should wear clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty or corrosive chemicals on. And since plunging can throw water in any direction you might want to consider eye-wear in order to protect you from any chemicals. Also remember to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully so that you do not create new problems.
If both the plunger and chemicals fail to alleviate the clogging problem you have, then you can try unscrewing the nuts on the P-trap with pliers or a pipe wrench to gain access to the pipe. Now this is going to get messy so be prepared with a towel and bucket to clean up the mess. Chrome plated fittings can be protected from scratches by taping up the teeth of the pliers or wrench; that should also give you a firmer grip on the nuts of the trap. After disassembling the P-trap, examine the trap for anything blocking the mouth of the pipe. If the plunger, the chemical or trap removal does not help, then the blockage could be much deeper in the pipework.
To unclog the toilet, you should use a toilet auger to get at these deep seated stoppages. If on the other hand you are attempting to unclog your tub or sink you may need to use a drain snake. The instrument is designed in a way that it can travel deep down into your pipes. A plumbers drain pipe snake has an adjustable handle which is used to make a drill into the clog, it then becomes easy to remove the obstruction by pulling it upwards. When you are sure that all the clogging material is cleared, replace the P-trap and test the drain with hot water. Everything should be sealed properly after the whole process is over, the P-trap and pipes should also be checked for any leaks.
After trying all of these methods and you still have a water flow problem, it is time to contact a drainage contractor or local plumber. Professional plumbers can identify and solve serious issues like aged pipes caving in, tree root invasion, blocked sewer line or soil stack; these should not be attempted by the homeowner as you will not have the right tools to solve the problem.