There are two tools for drain cleaning no home should be without – the plunger and the auger. Add to that, there are two types of each of these tools – one plunger for sinks and the other for toilets and one auger for drains-and-traps and the other for toilets. If this sounds complicated, keep in mind it’s not nearly as messy as trying to clean a clog in either your sink or toilet. These simple tools will help to clean this inevitable mess as quickly and safely as possible. Despite the claims of advertisers, chemical cleaners should only be used to prevent clogs and never to clear them because of the toxic chemicals they leave behind.
If your sink is blocked, try using a sink plunger. If that doesn’t clear the clog, try using a drain-and-trap auger to clear the clog through the drain, then through the cleanout, and lastly through the drainpipe. If your toilet is blocked, try using a toilet plunger. If that doesn’t clear the clog, try using a toilet auger. Tub drains and shower drains can also be cleared of clogs by using a drain-and-trap auger.
Keep in mind, if only one fixture in your home is backed up, then the clog is near that fixture. But if more than one fixture is backed up, or if you fail to clear the clog by using a plunger or auger, you’ll have to work at the problem by putting a drain-and-trap auger through the main drain. If this fails, you’ll have to go to the house trap and use a pipe wrench to loosen the plug that connects to the outside sewer line. If both these remedies fail to clear the back up, you’ll need to call a professional or you might want to consider renting a power auger to flush out the problem. Now you know why some Home Depot Stores are open all night!
An inexpensive way to avoid the time and effort involved in renting and using a power auger, or the costly visit from a professional plumber, is to invest in a good plunger with a suction cup large enough to completely cover the drain opening of your sink or toilet. An added tip is to cover the rim of your sink or toilet plunger with petroleum jelly to seal the rim as tightly as possible. Hold the plunger upright over the drain opening and use several forceful strokes ending with a strong upstroke to snap the plunger off and bring the clog with it. Since cleaning clogs in either a sink or toilet involves waste, it’s always a good idea to keep a pair of rubber gloves on hand.
Latest Videos of Being Prepared For Clogged Drains:
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