Clearing a drain is a huge task and is no fun. Anytime you notice standing water in your sink or bath; it means that you have a drain that needs clearing.
Having a clogged drain is not a rare situation, and it happens to almost every homeowner at least once in a while.
Before grabbing your phone to call your plumber to clear your drain, there may be something you can do yourself to clear the clog.
Items you require
You require items including petroleum jelly, plunger, wet cloth, auger, stiff brush, bucket, and a wire coat hanger
Steps
Use a wet cloth to cover the tub or basin overflow opening. Overflow vents are not present in most sinks. However, if you have two basins that are side to side, cover the drain opening of one of the basins with a wet cloth.
In a home where two bathrooms are in adjacent rooms, in most cases, the bathrooms will have one drain. In this case, block the overflow vent and the drain of the other basin. Bathtubs usually have overflow vents, which you can rarely find in showers. You must cover all the overflow vents to enhance the working of the plunger.
Fill the basin with adequate water and ensure it covers the plunger’s head. Before using the plunger, use petroleum jelly to coat its lip. Slide the plunger on the drain opening and then pump it up and down rapidly.
This movement creates water pressure that builds up a force that can dislodge whatever material is causing a blockage. After repeating twelve firm strikes, remove the plunger quickly. Water should sprint/ rush out.
If not, you must repeat the procedure, ideally two to three times before shifting to another method.
Use a chemical opener if the plunger does not unclog the drain.
However, don’t use chemicals in your drain is completely blocked. This is because chemicals have caustic agents that can destroy the fixtures. Use a drip-and-trap auger instead.
Remove the stopper on the drain then insert the auger wire. Keep loosening and tightening the auger’s thumbscrew as you advance the augers wire. Anytime the wire encounters a foreign material, move the wire up and down while also turning the auger’s handle. Keep turning until you withdraw the auger.
Use the wire coat hanger to reach the clog, if the auger does not work. Insert it through the clean-out, meaning you have to remove the plug on the clean-out.
The clean-out plug is positioned under the sink. You can also a drip and trap auger’s wire if the coat hanger is not effective. Insert it through the clean-out.
Remove the drain trap. After removing the trap, clean it using a wire coat hanger, then using a stiff brush and soapy water. Ideally, use hot water. If you don’t notice a clog in the trap, use a drip and tip auger to clean the drains extension.
Clean your bathtub using a drip and trap auger if the plunger does not work for you. Insert this auger through the drain opening first.
If it does not remove the clog, insert the auger in the overflow pipe and then downwards into the drainpipe.
When to call the expert?
Clearing your drain is not always an easy task but the steps above will make it effective and easy.
We have a lot of experience unblocking drains in London. So we have seen any type of drain blockage that you can imagine.
If you have tried the tips mentioned above and you still have a blocked drain, then it is time to call out a professional.