Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Here is the sequence of events to use when trying to solve various types of drain problems. You'll find more about each of these steps in the material that follows.
1. If a drain is simply moving slowly, a clog may be starting to form or the vent system may be blocked. You can use a chemical drain cleaner to open a slow-moving drain, but beware: Their caustic nature can damage certain kinds of pipes and upset the delicate chemical balance of a septic system. And if the drain becomes fully clogged, the caustic solution that fills the pipes and backs up into the bathtub or sink can burn your skin and make it dangerous to plunge or use a snake to clear the drain.
2. Plunge the drain at the fixture.
3. Try to clear out a hair blockage in a sink or tub drain with the help of a straightened coat hanger (bend a small hook at one end). To do this, first remove the pop-ups (hair and debris can collect around these assemblies).
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• Attaches to a powerdrill
• Handy for small andmedium household drains
4. Connect a hydraulic bladder to a garden hose, and try to blast-out the clog.
5. Try to clear the blockage with a snake, working from the fixture.
6. Try to clear the blockage with a snake, working from a branch cleanout.
7. Call a plumber.
Safety Tip: Use chemical drain cleaners sparingly. They can damage your pipes and can be hard on the environment. Use only in a well-ventilated room and don't let chemicals come in contact with your skin, even when diluted with water. Never use the plunger and chemicals in combination: Caustic water could splash your skin. Wear rubber gloves, eye protection, and be sure to read all the labels and follow directions carefully. Some products are alkalis that cut grease, others are acids that dissolve clogs. Preventing Backups It's easier to open a drain than to clear a clogged one. Scalding water can clear drains of grease. Install a strainer in kitchen and bathroom sinks to prevent hair and soap, small utensils, and other objects from slipping down the drains.
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