Blocked Drains And Some Simple Ways To Fix It

By Scott Rodgers

Clogged drains are a fact of life. Nearly everyone has dealt with the revulsion and frustration that comes with a stopped-up shower or bathtub.

More than mere inconveniences, such clogged drains may actually represent a very real health risk. Standing water is one of the most active breeding grounds for mold, mildew and fungus, and pathogens like these can easily compromise your immune system.

There are many solutions that you can try out yourself for clearing clogs. Like, if the clog is very near to the drain opening, you can remove it by hand. But, if it is deep inside, a bright flashlight and a screwdriver will help to analyze the problem.

Needle, nose pliers or a coat hanger can remove the clog from there, giving you ready access to examine it more closely. If hair, soap or anything else is at fault, consider changing your protective screens more often.

If you are unable to catch the clog with these equipments, do not worry. There are other plumbing tools specifically made for clearing clogs. Like, the simplest one is a plunger. It works on the concept of hydraulic pressure. Add a lot of water in the basin before you start plunging. After one or two tries check if the water begins to drain quickly.

If the plunger does not help you to remove the clogs, you can go for other more complicated tools like a plumbers snake. It is a flexible steel cable that can reach deep inside the drain to catch the clog. You might have to turn and twist it a little to get hold of it. Remove the drain screen first and then start working. It is an effective method of clearing drains.

Although the snake works nearly all the time, you may find some clogs that resist even the most concerted efforts at manual repair. These are the rare cases where you may need to call a plumbing professional.

As we all know that prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, the simplest solution for clogged drains is to avoid them in the first place. Keep a check on the substance flowing down the drain. Use fine drain screens, water softeners to avoid any major clogs. Also, you can use a mixture of boiling water, baking soda and vinegar once a month as a cleaning agent for drains. This will keep them running for a longer period. - 30517

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