Clogged drains are one of the most common questions posed by homeowners, says Charlotte plumbing & repair of Charlotte NC. It is not advisable to use a chemical drain cleaner in a fixture that is completely blocked. The most powerful cleaners contain lye, a caustic compound that is dangerous and can harm fixtures if left too long in them. If the chemical cleaner does not clear the drain, you will be exposed to the caustic when you open a clean-out plug or remove a trap.
There are a couple of variables at play when determining whether you can unclog a toilet yourself or not. The first is the location of the clog. If it is too far down the drain pipe, the only choices may be to use an augur (which most homeowners don’t have – you can rent one or buy one at a hardware store) or to call your local Seattle Plumber and get them to hydro jet your system. The second variable is the composition of the actual clog, or if it’s too densely packed, then no amount of do-it-yourself unclogging is going to work.
Charlotte Plumbing & repair Tip of the Week
Tip # 1 Using a plunger: Begin by removing the sink strainer or pop-up drain plug. If there is an overflow opening—most kitchen sinks have none—plug it with wet rags. Any air gap provided for a dishwasher also must be plugged. Be sure there is enough water in the basin to cover the plunger cup completely. Coat the rim of the cup evenly with petroleum jelly and center the cup over the drain hole. Without breaking the seal between the drain and the cup, pump down and up with short, rapid stroke 10 times, then jerk the plunger up from the drain quickly.
Tip #2 Using an auger: With the strainer or pop-up stopper removed, feed a drain-and-tap auger into the drain by cranking the handle clockwise. As you push the auger wire farther into the drain, alternately loosen and tighten the thumbscrew on the auger handle. When you hook something move the auger backward and forward slowly while cranking, then withdraw the auger wire slowly while continuing to crank in the same direction. Pour hot water and detergent through the trap to clear away residual grease or oils.
Tip #3 Working through the clean-out plug: If the trap under the clogged fixture Plumbers has a clean-out plug, place a bucket under the trap and remove the plug. After water has emptied from the trap, straighten a wire coat hanger, form a small hook in one end, and probe through the trap. If the obstruction is near the opening, you should be able to dislodge it or hook it and draw it out. If not, feed a drain-and-trap auger first up to the sink opening, then through the back half of the trap. Call https://charlotteplumbingsvc.com