Posts Tagged ‘toilet’

Easy Help For Plugged Drains

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

There are a lot of plumbing problems that home owners encounter. Drains that get plugged is one of the most commonly found problems. Here are some easy steps that can help you.

Make sure that you run the hottest tap water that you can through the draining system every few days. Not only can this help prevent plugged drains but it also can help prevent the build up of bad odors that often occurs.

If the drain is already plugged you may want to try putting a tablespoon of baking soda down the drain. Once this is done then slowly pour about 1/4 cup or so of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for half an hour or so. Then run very hot water through the drain. Many times this will unplug minor problems that occur.

If grease is the problem with the drain then pouring some salt water down it can help prevent a heavier build up from happening. Try not to pour grease down the drains in your kitchen is the best method of prevention for this issue. Many people use a can or jar to pour all of the unwanted grease into as opposed to pouring it down a drain. This is a very easy way to prevent this issue.

Many drain cleaning products are on the market these days. This could be something that will need to be done depending on the severity of the problem you are having. Read the labels attached to these items very carefully as plastic pipes can get damaged by certain products that are not designed for them. This would make the issues you are having even worse and that is not what you want to have happen.

Keeping drains clean is the best thing a person can do to avoid problems. Hair is a huge thing to make sure is removed from the tub as it can build up in the drain very fast. Food is another thing that should never be put down a drain. There are items available that can help prevent things from getting into your drains. They are well worth the money invested.

If the plug continues to be an issue, you may require the help of a licensed plumber in order to get the drains back working properly. This can be a very costly thing but there are times that this is the only choice that a person has to get to the root of the problem. They have the tools and equipment that most people don’t own that can help resolve that you have.

Looking around the internet can help you find many options that are available for plumbers that are in your area. There are many people around that work in this profession and finding someone that can tackle the issue you have should not be difficult. Taking some time to look into the services they provide and the prices that they charge can help you find the best deal for your budget.

To renovate, or not renovate, that is the question. If you have home improvement projects with questions, check out home renovation zone for a great resource on the topic.

Unblocking A Toilet : A Step By Step Guide

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

A blocked toilet is no one’s idea of fun – nor is trying to clear it. Still, there is no need fret, or think that you will have to spend a fortune on a plumber, as it should not be too difficult to unblock it yourself.

Before attempting to unblock it yourself, it is important to first protect the area around the toilet with either some layers of newspaper or some old sheets. Hopefully, they will not actually be necessary, but it is better to be safe than sorry. You should also make sure that you the right tools for the job – at least rubber gloves, a bucket and a plunger.

With those things in place, here is what you need to do…

First try and shift the blockage using water. Slowly pour half a bucket of warm water into the toilet. The pressure of this water bearing down could be enough to shift the blockage. If the toilet remains blocked try repeating the process. If the toilet is still blocked then it’s time to get to work with a plunger (if you don’t have a plunger use a rag head mop).

Using your plunger try pushing backwards and forwards into the toilet. This push-pull motion is needed to try to force water through the blockage and break it up. Different plungers offer you different chances of success so choose your plunger carefully (if unsure, ask for advice at your local hardware or DIY store).

A plumber’s snake is a flexible auger, which can be used to clear clogged or blocked plumbing. This device uses a flexible clearing rod with a hand crank. There is a special auger device at the end that is used to break up blockages or else retrieve them (retrieval might be the safest option). If you have a plumber’s snake drop it into the toilet as far down as possible. When you have reached the obstruction with the auger, clamp and turn the cranked handle. Then either push or pull the blockage to dislodge it.

A wire clothes hanger can be used in the absence of a plumber’s snake. You need to first straighten it out, and then poke it as far into the blockage as you can get it. Your first aim is to wiggle it around and try to disrupt the blockage as much as you can. If you can loosen anything up, then try to fish parts of the blockage out with it

Another approach is to use a chemical drain cleaner or caustic soda to clear the blockage. But be careful. Before you pour anything down your toilet, make sure that it is a product that is specifically marked as being safe for use with porcelain. Read the manufacturer’s directions carefully and make sure you are wearing those rubber gloves. Never mix chemical drain cleaners, only use one type of drain cleaner at a time.

By this point your toilet should be cleared; if it is not, then you have a blockage of extreme proportions, and you will need to arrange for a plumber to deal with it for you.

Read On : Toilet Bowl Brush Or Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner