Tips to solve that congested waste pipes issue
Tips to solve that congested waste pipes issue
What are some easy home solutions for eradicating plugged drains pipes in your bathroom? The quickest and simplest thing to use to take on the problem is your typical plunger. The entire process of opening clogged drainage with a plunger is simple and straightforward. What you don’t want to do however is to vigorously pump up and down like a jack hammer. To achieve the desired effect, the drainage should be totally covered with the head of the plunger and then the bell-shaped rubber must be pressed down slowly; next the handle should be pulled up fast and with good enough force to produce an effective suction. A minor blockage can be pulled up and out of the sink or drainage through the sucking action of the plunger. Some washbasins and bathtubs are provided with overflow openings that have to be blocked temporarily with a wet cloth for the plunger to develop effective suction.
You could use a drains pipes clearance chemical that is designed to break down the material instead of the more conventional plunger. However this option should be used only after you have used the plunger to unclog your drain. Let the chemicals stay in the drain pipe for some time and then wash them out with hot water, do this slowly to ensure that the water is flowing away. Use rough clothes that cover your body fully as things could get a bit mucky and some of the strong chemicals may spill on you and burn exposed skin. Eye protection is not a bad idea either if you plan on plunging again in case there is any residual back splash of chemical laden water. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before use to make sure everything goes smoothly.
The next thing you can attempt to use if your plunger is ineffective is to loosen the nuts holding the P-trap in place with pliers or a pipe wrench. You should have a bucket and a towel handy as this can be a really dirty job. Chrome plated fittings can be protected from scratches by taping up the teeth of the pliers or wrench; that should also give you a firmer grip on the nuts of the trap. Once the P-trap is removed, check the trap for any solid materials obstructing the pipe opening. If, however you cannot find any solid materials the problem is probably harder to get to, between the trap and the soil stack deep in the drains pipework.
To unclog the toilet, you should use a toilet auger to get at these deep seated blockages. If you are attempting to clean the drainpipe of your tub or sink, you should use a drainage snake. The flexible snake wire can be inserted deep into pipework of smaller diameter. Once you have pushed deep enough, rotate the handle to screw and hook into the blockage and slowly draw it out, this should pull the blockage with it. After removing the blockage, reassemble the P-trap and let hot water flow into the drainpipe to double check it works properly. Make sure that everything is tight and sealed properly and test the P-trap for leaks.
If none of the steps you have taken work, it is time to bring in an expert plumber. It is possible that (due to acts of nature or general wear and tear) clogs in the soil stack or sewer service by vegetation or collapsed pipes will be too big a job and too specialised for the householder to do by themselves, you should then call in a company with no call out fee like Dyno Rod.