How to deal with your blocked drainage problems
What are some of the best ways to open clogged up drains pipes of your bathroom or kitchen?
The simple plunger is the easiest and speediest solution. The process is pretty straightforward to apply. But don’t just shove the plunger into the drainage pipe and start pumping it violently, you could make matters much worse. Place the cup of the plunger exactly over the drainage pipe and push it downwards and upwards with short sharp movements that generate suction within the drain pipe. Surprisingly, a minor blockage can be pulled up and out of the sink or drainage through this sucking action of the plunger. You may notice small overflow openings in your bath or sink and you should always remember to block these up with a wet paper towel or sponge to create the maximum suction.
As an alternative, you could use a drainage clearance chemical that is designed to break down the material instead of the more conventional plunger. This is usually done after you unsuccessfully attempt to unplug your drainpipe using your plunger. Leave the chemical for a few minutes so that it loosens the blockage, and then use hot water to rinse out the drain pipe, taking care not to splash yourself. Wear proper clothes while dealing with chemicals, remember the strong chemicals can fall on to your clothes and spoil them so be careful with that. 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. These chemical products usually come with specific manufacturer’s instructions; it is important to read and follow them carefully.
If both the plunger and chemicals fail to alleviate the clogging problem you have, then you can try unscrewing the nuts on the P-trap with pliers or a pipe wrench to gain access to the drainage pipe. You should have a bucket and a towel handy as this can be a really dirty job. If you don’t want to damage the chrome finish of your pipes and also to get a better grip on the pipe, you can wrap the jaws of your wrench with electrical tape. After disassembling the P-trap, examine the trap for anything blocking the mouth of the drainage pipe. But in case you are unable to find any blockage, chances are that the problem lies deep down between the soil stack and the trap and you will need additional tools.
If you are trying to unclog your toilet you can use a toilet auger. A drain pipe snake should be used if you are trying to unclog your sink or tub. The instrument is designed in a way that it can travel deep down into your drainage pipes. By turning the handle to dig into the blockage, you can bring the clog up and away from the drain. Once the obstruction is out, reconnect the P-trap and run hot water through the drainage to confirm that it is clear. Everything should be sealed properly after the whole process is over, the P-trap and pipes should also be checked for any leaks.
If all these methods fail then you need to call in a professional plumber. There are some incidents that cannot be solved by the common householder such as clogs in the soil stack or the sewer service caused by tree roots or even a broken pipe caused by age or pipe corrosion brought upon by nature. At these times contact a good drainage engineer.
