Knowhow-Now Article

Fast And Easy Tips For Clearing A Clogged Drain

One of the most common plumbing problems is a clogged drain. No doubt you have had to deal with tough clogs in the past, and you may have called a plumber to solve this problem. However, nine times out of ten, there is no need to call in expensive professional help. With the right advice, you can quickly and easily clear even the toughest clogs out of your drain.

Tip: If your water pipe has frozen, start water running in the faucet closest to the frozen pipe. This will give excess water somewhere to drain as the ice in the pipe thaws.

One of the most effective tools for cleaning a clogged drain is a snake. No, this does not involve convincing a squirming reptile to crawl down your drain. Instead, a snake is a device that you put down the drain to remove a blockage. You can buy a snake at a hardware store, or you can make your own homemade snake out of a coat hanger and hook and loop tape. Just straighten the coat hanger, make a small nub on one end, and firmly attach the tape to the nub. Push the snake into the drain until you reach the clog.

Tip: Don't pay the entire plumbing bill upfront; wait until the plumber finishes the plumbing job. Sometimes plumbers will request a cash deposit before any work can commence; however, you avoid paying the total bill until the whole job has been finished to your satisfaction.

There are dozens of expensive chemical solutions that you can buy at the store to pour down a clogged drain. Unfortunately, many of these solutions are no more effective than hot water and bleach. Pour some bleach into the clogged drain and let it sit there for about half an hour. Then turn on the hot water and rinse the bleach down the drain. If the drain is still clogged, you can use a plunger to try to break up the remaining clog. Wear eye protection to avoid any injury should any remaining bleach splash you in the face.

Tip: Knowing your tools and how to use them can help greatly in your plumbing experience. Make sure to read all of your manuals, and use things such as the library and the internet to read up on do it yourself projects.

Banging on something that is not working properly is a time-honored tradition. However, it is also generally an ineffective technique. It may be tempting to give your clogged pipe a good whack, but you are unlikely to solve the problem in this fashion. Instead, you are more likely to damage your pipes. You will then have to deal with a much larger mess, as well as needing to replace your pipes.

Tip: If you aren't having any luck using a plunger on a clogged toilet, you may want to try pouring warm water into it from waist high. Once the water level gets low again, repeat the process.

When you are trying to clear a clogged drain, it is important to try to remove the blockage by pulling it out of the drain. If you just push the blockage further into your pipes, you are only going to end up causing further problems in the future. Your goal should be to remove the blockage from your pipes, rather than just pushing it further in. If you do not remove the blockage, it will just build up until it reaches a point where it can only be removed by a plumber with a rooter.

Once you know how to deal with a clogged drain, you can solve your problems without having to wait for the plumber to arrive. Not only will you get your drain unclogged more quickly, but you will not have to spend money on an expensive service call. Use the tips from this article to get rid of even the toughest clogs.

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