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Unblocking Drains
No one likes dealing with blocked sinks and drains, but inevitably they do happen and they really are a pain. The good news however is that unblocking drains doesn't have to be difficult. In many cases when it comes to unblocking drains, you don't even need to get your hands dirty because there are a number of techniques that are effective in ensuring that your drains are clear and water's running freely.
When it comes to blocked drains, the number one cause is a build-up of waste and dirt overtime. Unblocking drains that are blocked isn't difficult, but first you'll need to isolate the problem and then you'll need to deal with it. In the event that you can't find the problem, it's time to call a plumber who is an expert in unblocking drains.
Most blocked drains happen within your home which means it can often be fixed without needing to call the plumber to flush your drains and give you a rather unsightly bill. In the event that the blockage affects your neighbors or the entire street, then it's best to call in the council who should be able to deal with the problem.
When it's an internal problem however, when unblocking drains, first check whether it's just one part of your house that's blocked, or whether it's the whole property. If waters not emptying from the bathtub, but its draining fine from the kitchen, then it's an internal problem which should be resolvable with a few tools which will literally cost you pennies.
If it's an external problem, then you'll need a plumbers snake and other tools. Usually external drain blockages are best fixed with help from a professional, as not only can they unblock the problem they can check the drain for any structural issues which may exist.
Unblocking drains and sinks is pretty easy. All that's needed is a wire coat hanger, plunger and access to boiling water. If you're stuck with water that refuses to drain away, then start by using the plunger to create a vacuum that shifts the blockage. This is done by placing the plunger over the sink hole and ensuring there's a seal. Followed by pumping five or six times. If this doesn't make a difference, then it's likely there is a severe blockage and the coat hanger can be used as a probe. By putting it through sink hole and using it to break up whatever it is causing the blockage.
Finally once the sink or drain is clear, pouring caustic soda down the drain followed by boiling water is a great way to clear drains out. Caustic soda is however corrosive so it's important to take care.
Unblocking drains is essentially a game of troubleshooting. Once you can isolate the problem, you can deal with it. Essentially, anything that can be cleared with boiling water, caustic soda or by removing the P Trap / U bend can be dealt with without a plumber. Save yourself some money and when it comes to unblocking drains, try to do it yourself!
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