What to Do When You Have a Clogged Drain
May 24, 2019
At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of West Chester, we provide industry-best service with 100% satisfaction guaranteed for all our customers. Below, we’ve offered some critical pointers on how to tackle clogged drains at home or work. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re unable to fix a clogged drain after following our tips.
Unclogging Sinks
Sinks are often reasonably easy to unblock if you remove the trap and drain the pipe. Most clogs can be cleared using just a plunger. First, partially fill the sink, then begin plunging. Work the plunger up and down several times before pulling it sharply off the drain hole. If you have two sinkholes, block one while you plunge the other. If plunging doesn’t work, grab a cable auger and remove the sink trap with a wrench, empty all water into a bucket and check that the trap isn’t clogged.
Cut through the Clog
To physically cut through the stubborn clog, start by removing the horizontal pipe arm that protrudes from the wall. Next, feed your cable auger into the stub out until you are faced with resistance, crank the cable and drive it through the resistance and further into the pipe. Keep repeating this process until you have successfully broken through the blockage, then remove all blockage and flush out your pipes.
Unblock a Bathtub Drain
Bathtubs rarely become stopped up, a clog in the bath usually takes weeks to build up, with the tub gradually draining more slowly each day.
As with clogged sinks, begin by using a plunger. However, before plunging unscrew the drain and use a bent wire to remove any hair and scum that has accrued. If plunging is unsuccessful, we recommend using the cable auger to cut through and eventually eliminate any clogging materials.
If you have tried your best and still haven’t managed to unclog your drains, get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of West Chester by clicking here today.