Householders guide to looking at clogged sewers
Householders guide to looking at clogged sewers
Clogged drains happen to everyone, and they are not fun. In case of a complete blockage, the bathtub, sink, shower and the toilet can get filled with waste water that you have used. At this point, the offending blockage must be removed through all that built up water and chances are that the homeowner will not be able to clear it using household remedies or drain products. And of course, a plumber fixing your clogged drain can cost you heavily. The cost in fact varies based on the blockage and how fixed it is, so expect a heavy expense if it is more stubborn. If you have multiple clogged drains in your home at any given time, you will wish you had taken the precaution to have your drains inspected.
What are causes of blocking of drains?.
The primary cause of blocked drains is a lack of care. If you don’t keep the drain strainer in place to trap food particles, you could easily end up with a clogged drain after a while. This is important because these particles can accumulate over a period of time and lead to clogged drains. Oil or cooking grease can also build up in these pipes and this can worsen the situation. When it comes to toilets, it is the excessive flushing of the toilet paper which can cause the blockage.
Flushing of other non typical items into the toilet drain often leads to clogging. Items like baby wipes, paper towels and sanitary napkins can cause a blockage immediately or over a period of time. Hairs that are trapped in the drain pipes can result in clogging of bathroom sinks, showers and bath tubs. Frequent usage of soaps, shampoos, hair gel and toothpaste can worsen the blockage further.
Unfortunately, clogs can occur as a result of problems that have nothing to do with what you put into your drains. Scale, tree roots, deterioration of pipes that are rusted and crushed drain lines have also been known to cause plumbing problems.
Drain Clog Remedies.
Using chemical products such as acids intended for the task, you can attempt to clear a blocked drain yourself. However you should note that using such chemicals can be harmful for health and environment and can also damage the pipes and fixtures. Fortunately, some natural methods are available for removing drain clogs. Regularly running boiling water through the drains is one of these methods. Baking soda and vinegar is an alternative measure. Simply pour vinegar into the clogged drain, and then sprinkle it liberally with baking soda. The mixture should be allowed to sit in the drain for at least 15 minutes; then attempt to wash the blockage away by pouring boiling water over the drain to rinse it.
It is better to notice things on time so that you can take some measures to prevent the clogging of drains.
Your pipework is a working system that needs maintenance, just like your car or machinery. A periodic checkup and maintenance schedule can keep your drains running smoothly. As you are most familiar with the behavior of your drains, be vigilant regarding what is going on with your drains and pipes and perform some of the examination yourself. You must have all your household drains regularly inspected by a qualified plumber to truly avoid the inconvenience and expense of serious drain blockages. It is advisable to have a plumber “snake” all of your drainpipes at least roughly once a year, as a means of preventing blockages. If case the drain clogs occur regularly there is a need to snake drain lines more than once per annum. The major drain connections should periodically be subjected to video inspections.
To prevent issues that can be not only costly but also irritating, it is vital to have your drains regularly examined.