How To Deal With Blocked Drains

A blocked drain is an occurrence that happens eventually to all households. You may have experienced being in the shower with the water level slowly forming a puddle or even quickly rising, submerging your feet. Whilst brushing your teeth, you may be surprised to find out that the sink is already half filled with water. The worst possible drain blockage that could happen in an establishment though, is if your toilet would not flush properly even with after several attempts. Aside from being unhygienic, this is also gross and could lead to embarrassing situations.

Blocked drains are the result of an obstruction in the area between your bathroom drain and the drainage pipes that it leads to. It is usually caused by trapped solid objects such as hair, dust and particles. The blockage gets worse when household products such as shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and detergents accumulate. This will eventually become denser and will hinder the water from flowing smoothly through your drain pipe.

There are several ways to get your pipes working properly again. Several gadgets found in the market could remedy blocked drains given that the cause of obstruction is a simple material such as hair. If the blockage is at a single sink trap, illuminate the trap with a flashlight. If you could clearly see that the cause of the jam is accumulated hair, you may use a wire bent at the end like a hook, or even long nosed pliers to pull our the clog of hair yourself.

A toilet plunger could also be used to clear a simple blocked drain. Just ensure that the rubber cup of the plunger fully covers the sink, tub, or toilet drain. There must also be plenty of water around the plunger. Push the plunger up and down until the block is successfully dislodged. This may take a few minutes, but be patient because this method actually works. It may not suffice, however, if the blockage is caused by rust or mineral build up or a broken drain line.

The plumbing snake is one tool used to clear drain blocks. It is a flexible wire that is forced down through a drain and may be rotated by hand or by a machine, depending on its size. Caution must be taken, though, as using a power snake could lead to serious injury. This tool is best left in a professional plumber’s hands if you do not know how to control it.

Another tool that is used for unclogging drains is the kinetic water ram. It can unblock some drains even if the block is distant, as long as the drain pipe is full of water when the ram is used. It compresses air in a cylinder, and releases this air forcefully to loosen the obstruction in the pipes. It is imperative not to use too much pressure than what is needed to clear the drain. You could end blowing the trap right off the sink if the air pressure is too high.

Using de-clogging chemicals could effectively unclog your blocked drain. But these chemicals are dangerous and may harm our environment as most of the chemicals are toxic and might cause burns or poisoning.

A blocked drain poses a serious health hazard. Sewerage-borne germs may cause fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach ache. It is important to be observant and if any family member exhibits any of these symptoms, consult a doctor right away.

Objects that come in direct contact with the dirty water should be disinfected using household bleach diluted with water. Any items that could not be disinfected such as stuffed toys and the like should be disposed of immediately.

In dealing with a blocked drain, it is always best to leave the dirty work to the professionals. Your trusted plumber could quickly solve the problem. This might be more expensive than doing it yourself, but you can be assured that your blocked drain is completely cleared and it will not bother you again in the near future. Most of all, calling a plumber will ensure the safety of your family, since most of the gadgets and methods mentioned above are best used by a professional.

Be sure to have your plumber’s number among the list of your emergency numbers. In most cases, a plumber is just as important as a doctor. With his help, your blocked drain could be gone in a jiffy.