The frequently occurring problem of clogged drains can be diagnosed and fixed if proper measures are adopted from the very onset. Instead of making way for a plumber straightaway, you can yourself unclog the drainage pipe and the associated plumbing component by making use of some basic plumbing tools.
When it comes to the problem of clogged drains and traps, the basic plumbing tools such as plungers and augers (plumber' snake) can save the day for you. Though it is always a better idea to employ an appropriate plumber's snake prior to a plunger as the plungers normally disturb the sanitation of the toilet to a large extent.
A plumber's snake or an auger is a long cable of metal that has a crank at one end and a corkscrew borer at the other end. While the crank side provides a sound handling to the plumber, the corkscrew end is inserted into the concerned drain to remove any possible clog.
The two types of snakes that are commonly employed in plumbing projects are the typical drain snakes and the less popular closet snakes. Due to their long cable length and easy handling, the drain snakes are popular with the plumbers as well as with the households. On the other hand, the closet snakes have a shorter length of metal cable in comparison to the drain snakes.
Before you start to work on the affected plumbing component, make sure that you have the required set of gloves to handle the auger effectively. The gloves should essentially be non-slippery as the plumber's snake is bound to get slippery and soiled during the operation. Insert the corkscrew end into the clogged drain pipe making sure that the affiliated plumbing segments are not damaged. Start your campaign with a smallest snake and gradually move to a larger-sized snake in order to remove the deeper lying clog. To enhance the efficiency of the tool, keep turning the handle in a clockwise direction while pushing it into the pipe.
If however the snake handle doesn't turn any further, pull out the snake from the fixture with immediate effect. Clean the business end of the tool and reinsert it.
Once snake is cleaned well, reinsert it into the pipe or vent. Repeat the same procedure to unblock the plumbing component completely.
If the complications start to crop up during the snake's application then make way for a professional plumber to handle the situation thereafter.
Author Resource:
Scott Rodgers is a noted writer who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all over the nation. His splendid knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Telford Plumbers (Need one? click here !) to Little Ferry Plumbers (Need one? click here !).