Cleaning A Drain Without Bothering Plumbers
Having blocked drains is a problem which no one wants, and it can be even more unpleasant when circumstances mean that the services of plumbers are not readily available or funds will simply not stretch far enough to call a tradesman out.
Although some would suggest that applying some kind of chemical agent might be the most preferable course of action today, that would make many people uncomfortable. Some do not like releasing large quantities of such material in the water environment, while others are just not at ease handling potentially toxic chemicals in their dwelling place.
However, having a simple and inexpensive tool to hand will mean that it is often not necessary to have recourse to either chemicals or the plumber. A plumber’s mate, also known as a plunger, is a very simple tool which consists of a handle and a large rubber sucker, also known as a suction cup. The handle is more than not manufactured from metal or plastic nowadays, though wood used to be common.
When starting the process, it is essential that there is some standing water in the blocked drain’s basin, otherwise a successful result will not occur. However, there is no need for this water to be too deep, with a level of around 3 inches or seven centimetres being ideal.
Related drain openings need to be covered and sealed up as tight as possible, in order to create the vacuum in the pipe network which will disrupt and shift the material which is causing the obstruction.
The drain opening needs to be then covered with the suction cup of the plumber’s mate. Make sure it seals the opening completely and feels strongly shut. Once it feels properly attached, the handle is pushed and pulled as vigorously as possible, this should then move the obstruction.
The important thing to do here is to make sure that the plumber’s mate is kept moving; push and pull the handle with equal vigour. After a few minutes, remove the plunger and see if the standing water in the drain has begun to diminish.
Of course, the process does not necessarily work first time; it is often necessary to repeat the whole thing several times before any kind of positive result is attained. Once the block does shift, then the situation can alter relatively swiftly. Until then, the process needs to be tried several times until it becomes clear that it will not work, or success is attained.
If a plunger is being used to unclog the drain pipe of a sink or a bath then it is essential to cover the overflow exits which are a part of the structure of most bathroom sinks and baths. Making sure that there is water on both sides of the sink or bath will also make for better results. Plugging the overflow with a cloth of some kind often creates the best conditions for the process of plunging to work with best effect.
Plumbers’ mates are available from hardware stores and are not an inexpensive tool to acquire. Having one handy can ensure that many blocks, whether in household drains, the kitchens or the bathroom, do not result in having to call out the real plumbers.
Authorized licensed City of Toronto, Emergency Plumber Toronto and Experienced Plumbers Toronto offers services including repairs, installations and replacements of sinks, toilets faucets and hot water tanks.
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