Dealing With A Clogged Drain
It can be a little bit frustrating dealing with a clogged drain. Clogged drains can come from food or other debris getting caught in the drain, or they can occur when there is mineral buildup in the drain. No matter what the cause it is important that you take care of it as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more entrenched the clog can become. If you are connected to city sewer there are a few simple steps that you can take to rid yourself of the clog. Here are those simple steps to unclog your drain.
Liquid Drain Cleaner
One of the first things that you should reach for is a bottle of liquid drain cleaner. These liquids are created using some of the strongest bases available. This means that the PH is well over 7 and will accept any hydrogen ions available. This changes the chemical makeup and allows the material to be much more susceptible to going down the drain. It is important that you wear all the safety equipment advised on the bottle. A little bit of the liquid in your eye and your eye will never be the same.
Pipe Snake
Once you have poured liquid drain cleaner down the sink it is time for a pipe snake. This is a long cable that has some rigidity to it, and the snake allows you to physically push the clog down the sink. These are especially effective when paired with a liquid drain cleaner. You may want to buy a few different diameter pipe snakes to allow you to get through any 90's that are in the plumbing. If your plumbing does not use a lot of sharp corners then the thicker pipe snakes will most likely be the best option for you.
Plumbers
If you have gone through steps one and two and you do not see a significant decrease in the clog, it is time to call a plumber. A plumber will come to your home and figure out exactly what is going on with the drain. Often if you are still having problems with your sink after steps one and two then you have a serious problem with your plumbing. In some situations you may be dealing with a kinked pipe or a pipe that has collapsed due to air in the pipes or water hammer. In any of these situations the plumber will be able to solve the problem.
Contact a plumbing service, like Rapid First Plumbing, for more help.