Health & Fitness
How to Unclog a Drain
When you think of a clogged drain, you probably think of Liquid Plumber or some other chemical solution that is manufactured for home owners. These chemical agents may work quickly, however it is best not to use chemicals because they contain caustic agents that can actually harm some fixtures.
Try these steps before using chemicals or calling a plumber for service:
Step 1: Cover the overflow opening in the basin or tub with a wet cloth. Most kitchen sinks don’t have an overflow vent, but if you’re working on one of the two side-by-side basins, plug the other basin’s drain opening with wet cloths. In homes that have two bathrooms back to back in adjacent rooms, both may be connected to the same drain. In such cases you must block the other basin at both its drain and overflow vent. Showers seldom have overflow vents; but bathtubs do. Cover all of them with wet cloths for the plunger to work properly.
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Step 2: Fill the clogged basin with enough water to cover the head of plunger. Coat the lip of plunger with petroleum jelly (this helps create a better seal). Slide the plunger’s cup over drain opening, then rapidly pump the plunger up and down. You should feel water move in and out of drain. It is this back-and-forth water pressure that can eventually build up enough force to dislodge whatever is blocking the drain. After about a dozen firm strikes, jerk plunger up quickly. Water should rush out. If it doesn’t, try the same procedure two or three more times before attempting another method.
Step 3: If the plunger doesn’t remove the clog, use a drain-and-trap auger. To use it, remove popup stopper or strainer from the clogged drain and insert the auger wire into opening. As you feed the flexible wire in, crank the handle of the device, loosening and then tightening the thumbscrew on the handle as you advance the wire. If the wire encounters something, move it back and forth while you turn auger handle. Then continue to turn the handle while slowly withdrawing the auger.
Step 4: If the auger doesn’t clear the drain, remove the clean-out plug from under the sink, catching water from the trap in a bucket. You can use a wire coat hanger with hook shape in one end to try to the reach clog. If this fails, insert the wire of drain-and-trap auger through clean out. Work the wire toward basin and drainpipe to remove the blockage.
Step 5: If the trap does not have a clean out, then remove the trap. With the trap removed, clean it out with a wire coat hanger and then with a stiff brush and hot soapy water; then replace the trap.
If the clog wasn’t in the trap, insert the drain-and-trap auger into the drain extension that goes into the wall and continue working the auger down into the drainpipe itself. You should be able to reach the blockage, unless it’s in a section of the main drain.
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Source: fixitclub.com
If you need a drain unclogged contact – Dun-RIGHT Plumbing & Heating – 24/7 Service. Call 877-386-7454.
