Clean out those obstructed waste pipes quickly
Clean out those obstructed waste pipes quickly
Do you know what the best way to unblock waste pipes is? Using a plunger is the most effective and quickest way to solve this common household problem. What’s involved is very clear, cover the drainpipe with the plunger and push. What you don’t want to do however is to vigorously pump up and down like a jack hammer. For the best results you should place the head of the plunger over the drain pipe, smoothly push down and bring up again quickly creating and even suction in the drains pipes pipe. In theory the suction created by pulling up quickly will dislodge the material that is clogging your bathtub, toilet or sink. 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.
You could use a drains pipes clearance chemical that is designed to break down the material instead of the more conventional plunger. The chemicals are normally applied only after an unsuccessful attempt to remove the clog using a plunger. The solutions should be left alone for sometime as they loosen up the blockage, then you should pour down hot water into the drainpipe to clear the whole thing out. Because these chemicals can be corrosive or contain bleach you should only wear clothes that you are happy to be damaged. If you plan to use the plunger after the application of chemical to remove the remaining debris, then eye protection is essential because the chemical laden water may back-splash on you and burn. Also remember to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully so that you do not create new problems.
You can use a pipe wrench or pliers to unscrew the P-trap if you are unable to remove the blockage with the plunger, this will give you access to the pipe. You should have a bucket and a towel handy as this can be a really dirty job. If you don’t want to damage the chrome finish of your pipes and also to get a better grip on the pipe, you can wrap the jaws of your wrench with electrical tape. 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 blockages. If on the other hand you are attempting to unclog your tub or sink you may need to use a drainpipe snake. drain pipe snakes are designed to reach deep down into the far reaches of your narrow pipes. By twisting the adjustable handle to drill into the blockage, you then pull the obstruction up and out of your drainpipe. After removing the blockage, reassemble the P-trap and let hot water flow into the drainage to double check it works properly. Ensure that all the joints and the P-trap are firmly sealed and that there is no leakage anywhere.
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. Some common issues that are beyond the capabilities of the common homeowner are stoppages in the soil stack or the sewer service by tree roots or even a collapsed pipe which could be the result of old age or deterioration of the pipes because of Mother Nature or an unforeseen Act of God.