Many homeowners experience an ongoing source of aggravation in the form of clogged drains. If you read the following advice from a plumber named Milani, you will be able to learn some fundamental do-it-yourself plumbing techniques and prevent minor issues from developing into major ones.
Clogged Toilet:
Check to see if there is a clog in the drain itself or in the toilet’s trap. The blockage can be removed using a plunger or a closet auger.
Sink Drains:
It is always in your best interest to avoid clogs before they occur. Be on the lookout for the red flags that indicate a clogged drain. It is much simpler to unclog a drain that is only gradually slowing down as opposed to one that has completely stopped working. To dislodge grease buildups, run boiling water down the drain or pour boiling water down it. If pouring hot water down the drain does not clear the clog, there may be something stuck down the drain. To check, remove the pop-up stopper or strainer from the sink, and then clean it very thoroughly. In that case, the clog might be further down the drain, in which case it might need to be cleaned by a professional.
Bathtub Drains That Are Clogged:
Check that the pop-up stopper in the bathtub is opening all the way and is clear of any debris and hair before attempting to clear a clogged drain using any of the available drain-clearing methods. If the stopper is not the issue, then the drain pipe is most likely the source of the obstruction. Use a plunger if you can. In the event that this does not do the trick, you will need to remove the trap using a snake.
Avoiding Blockages in the Kitchen Drain:
There is no plumbing issue that is more common or more frustrating than a drain that is clogged. The majority of the time, clogged drains in kitchen sinks are caused by a buildup of grease that traps food particles. The majority of the time, drains can be easily and cheaply cleaned, but preventing clogs in the first place can be accomplished by taking a few simple preventative measures. A minimum amount of clogs will form in the kitchen sink drain if waste from the kitchen is disposed of properly.
Do not dispose of grease in the sink in the kitchen:
It is not recommended to pour used coffee grounds down the drain. Toss them in the trash. It is important to use chemical cleaners with caution, particularly if your drainpipes and traps are made of brass, steel, or cast-iron, as certain caustic chemicals can cause the metal to corrode.
Blockages caused by Hair in Bathtub and Vanity Sink Drains:
The best method for removing hair from a bathtub drain is to first remove the drain grate, then take a coat hanger, attach a small hook to the end of the hanger, and scoop out the hair with the hanger. There is also the option of utilizing a pair of needle-nose pliers. To remove hair from the drain of a lavatory sink quickly and easily, it is best to first remove the pop-up drain assembly completely and then follow the steps outlined in the previous paragraph.
Drains for the Shower:
It is worth a try to unclog a shower drain with a plunger, despite the fact that it may be difficult to do so. In the event that this does not work, you might need to hire a professional to feed a snake through the opening of the drain and into the trap.
