Clearing a Clogged Drain Before it Gets Worse

The most obvious sign that there may be a blockage in a drain in your home is when the water in the toilet bowl or sink is slow to drain. Unblocking a drain needs to be done as soon as possible. Failure to tackle the problem promptly will only make it worse.

The first thing you need to do is locate the nearest drain to where the blockage is occurring. Prising open the manhole cover will give you a good idea as to the type of blockage you are dealing with. Usually, if the manhole is clear, the pipes leading to your house will be the source of the blockage. If, on the other hand, the manhole is full, the obstruction is likely to be situated further along the drainage system.

If you believe the blockage to be within your property's boundaries, it's time to roll up your sleeves and tackle it.

A great piece of equipment to aid you with this is a set of drain rods. These flexible rods are screwed together to give you the required length to reach the drain obstruction. They can be bought for a very reasonable price, considering they can save you the expense of calling out professional drain services. Alternatively, you can hire rods as and when you need them.

Carefully feed the rods in the drain until you reach the blockage. It is vital NOT to turn the drain rods in an anti-clockwise direction as this could cause the rods to unscrew from each other. This will make the blockage a whole lot worse, as you will now have stuck drain rods to contend with too.

Applying a steady pushing and pulling motion on the rods will usually be enough to force the obstruction through the system.

Once the blockage has cleared, carefully pull the drain rods out of the drain and them run some water through the system to clear away any reaming gunk, and to check that the water is now able to flow freely.

Leaking Pipe Or Clogged Drain, Call the Plumbers

Plumbers are professionals that work in homes, commercial or public buildings. They install and repair pipes for fresh water, waste and the gas systems in these buildings. In addition they can install fixtures like tubs, showers, toilets and sinks. They may also install appliances like garbage disposals, dishwashers or water heaters.

There are several ways that a plumber can enter the trade. Many learn through an apprenticeship program. While at one time this simply meant getting a job with another plumber and working your way up through the trade, today many of the apprentice programs are administered through community colleges. The apprentice must spend several years on the job and taking classes before becoming a plumber.

Most states have requirements that plumbers be licensed. Before taking the test, they must show proof of their work experience. The test shows their knowledge of local codes and of the trade.

If you are building a new home, you will need the help of a plumbing contractor. The contractor will be able to read your blueprints for the home and provide necessary materials for the plumbing portion of the construction. He will need to do "rough in" plumbing before the concrete floors are poured. Once the floors are poured and the stud walls are in place he will return to do "stub out plumbing." Finally, once the walls are finished, the floor coverings are in place and the cabinets are built, he will return a third time to install the fixtures and appliances.

Once you are in your new home or office building, you may not need a plumber very often. Many times plumbing systems are designed for many years of trouble free operation. However, over time, leaks and clogs may develop, resulting in the need for you to call the professional back to your home.

In homes, you can often avoid having to call the professional out with a few tips.

In kitchens, avoid pouring oils and greases down the drain. They are likely to harden somewhere down the ling and cause a clog to form. This clog may just stop the sink from draining, but it can also stop everything in the home from draining correctly. In addition, do not overload your garbage disposal and allow plenty of fresh water to flow when it is in use.

In the bathroom, use screens over the shower, tub and sink drains to prevent a hair clog from forming. These removable screens can be cleaned after each shower and help to prevent a slow draining fixture.

One tool that should be kept in every home is a plunger. This tool can easily dislodge many drain plugs and may save you money on plumbing repairs. You may want to purchase one that is designed for use in toilets and another that is designed for use in sinks, tubs and basins.

If you have a home repair in your plumbing system, then licensed plumbers can make that repair in an efficient manner so that you will once again have fresh water flowing into your home and drains that flow freely.