There are very few things in this world more chaotic than having your bathroom or kitchen drain backed up. It always seems, that the only time the sink clogs is when you are entertaining family and friends in your home. The first option, when you find out about the clog, is to purchase a product that magically clears your plumbing system without any harm. These products can be found at your home improvement store or hardware dealer. Once you purchase the liquid plumber, be sure to read the label and make sure it is safe for PVC pipes. For your own well being, never unscrew a blocker that has chemicals present and never dilute a chemical with another chemical, even if they have similar ingredients.
If your drain is clogged, another choice is to use an old time plunger. The plunger is usually what people prefer to use and most of the time, after plunging the drain a couple of times the clog will diminish. An important piece of information to remember is to never use a plunger if you have poured chemicals down the drain.
Drainage traps, which can be your best friend, are created to stop small objects from falling down into the pipes. If you accidentally drop something, like a ring, earring or even a contact lens, remove the trap, which is also known as a “P” or “S” traps found as the curved piping under the sink. These traps are there to catch your lost possession. To retrieve your item from the trap, you will need a bucket to catch the water that will leak from the pipe when it is opened. If chemicals have been poured to unclog the drain, be sure to wear protective gloves and even protective glasses.
The next step is to loosen the two end nuts of the coupling. You may be able to loosen some nuts with your hands, but make sure to have a pipe wrench just in case. When the trap becomes loose, direct the pipe towards the bucket for the water to run into. Glancing into the trap, you should see the item that was dropped. Before putting the trap back, be sure to double check for any washers that may have been damaged, and if you see any, be sure to replace them. This will help any future leaking problems. After that, clean any other debris, like dirt or hair, replace the trap, and then tighten the coupling nuts back up.
The best way to avoid clogs in your bathroom or kitchen is through prevention. The best ways to avoid this mess include:
1. In order to trap food particles, hair, or even dirt is to use a drain strainer.
2. Pouring food grease into old coffee or soda can, instead of down the drain.
3. Boil a large amount of water, about once a week, and steadily pour it down the sink to help loosen dirt and melt grease away, so that it can easily wash down the pipes.
4. Another weekly maintenance option is to combine vinegar and baking soda and gently pour it down the drain. This helps break down grease that naturally forms over time. This also helps do away with bad odors and freshens your drain.
5. Mix half a cup of salt and half a cup of baking soda and drizzle down the drain. After that is poured, follow with six to eight cups of scolding hot water. Be sure to not use your sink, including the water or garbage disposal, and allow it to soak in overnight. The following morning, wash it away with hot water for a couple of minutes.
6. If none of these suggestions work, you can hire a plumber to “snake” out your drain, or do it yourself through buying a mechanical snake at a home improvement store or hardware shop. The mechanical snakes are made of flexible metal that can be threaded through the drain, and can push any blocking substance down the pipes. Some snakes come with a crank option, which are usually rented. The combination of the rented snake and a garden hose with running water can clear clogs all the way to the road. In order to avoid the high prices of a plumber’s service, attempt these options first.
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