Top Ways to Fix a Clogged Drain on Your Own
Have you ever heard noise coming from the taps and faucets in your home and wondered, “Why does plumbing make noise?’’ Well, the noise could be the result of dirt or rust that has accumulated in the pipes causing a restriction to the water flow. Other sounds that could come from your plumbing include a loud band with your hammer, rumbling pipes and a shake of pipes. These different sounds are caused by different problems that all eventually lead to clogging your drain.
A clogged drain can be the cause of major pain for you and your family. Not only does it make the house uncomfortable to live in, but it comes with the additional pain of having to look for a plumber and the expenses that come with it. This, however, need not be the case. You don’t have to run to a professional plumber at the first sight of a clogged drain. The following are tips you can use to unblock a clogged drain.
Clean the Drains using a Chemical Solution
Slow and clogged drains can be very irritating. Luckily, anybody can fix this problem by simply pouring a solution into the drain. Some people suggest that a mixture of boiling hot water, baking soda and vinegar can do the trick. However, this has not been scientifically proven and there is no need to waste your time doing it. Go to your favorite hardware store and order a drain cleaner.
Use a Plunger
Sometimes, clogged and slow drains are caused when hard solid particles get stuck in the pipes. These particles include lumps of hair, huge chunks of food and other such small, solid particles. In such a case, you will need to use a plunger. Pour some water into the sink and use the plunger to firmly push the stuck particles out. In situations where you will be trying to unclog a double sink, block one hole with a rug as you use the plunger on the other. This is so as to get good suction.
Use Sink Traps and Snakes
A snake, otherwise known as a cable auger, can be used to identify where the problem may be as far as a clogged sink is concerned. The cable auger is inserted into the sink and used to check the pipes and traps beneath the sink. It is in such situations when a simple DIY plumbing job can move from easy to hard. Should you find complications in such a task, then it is time to call in a plumbing expert.
Signs You May Need a Professional Contractor to Fix a Clogged Drain
When all DIY Tips Have Failed
When you have tried all the above tips and tricks to no avail, it may be time to call in a pro. It is not always the case that dirty water in your kitchen sink that won’t go away is caused by a chunk of food stuck in the pipes. It could be as a result of more complicated problems that need the hands of a pro.
When You Want to Open Things Up
Leave the pro work to the pros. You may be an experienced DIY enthusiast but could be biting more than you can chew when you try to open a sink’s pipes. Trying to do this could see you worsening the problem rather than fixing it. Call in a professional plumber who has the necessary skill-set, tools and experience to get the work done. This will in the end cost less and save time in unclogging your drain.
When the Problem Persists
You may have tried one or several of the DIY suggestions given above and they did the trick. However, 2 days later the problem presents itself again and you try the tips again and the problem goes away, before presenting itself a few days later. This could be a sign of a problem that is more serious than meets the eye. In such a situation you will need to call in a professional plumber. The plumber will help you to establish what the problem is, fix it within a short time and make sure it does not occur again.
