subject: Plumbing: What Can You Tackle On Your Own? [print this page] No matter how well you take care of your plumbing, you could still run into some problems. Running the faucet and seeing the water begin to pool at the bottom of the sink could mean that the drains are backed up and need to be cleaned. While this is not an appealing task, it needs to be handled. To avoid getting into the thick of things, consider using a drain cleaner product that can be found at any home improvement or grocery store. There is a chance that this will solve the problem without the need for a local plumber.
What's Down There?
Water is not the only thing running through your plumbing. Finding out what is clogging up that drain is the first step in coming up with a solution. There is a pretty good chance that a draining cleaning product is not going to help if you have a small toy, money or even jewelry stuck down there. Again, these items are not meant to end up in there but an accident, a slip, or even a curious child, all types of things end up in the drain.
These larger items will need to be removed. In some cases, it is possible to reach into the space and pull out whatever object is keeping things from working correctly. On the other hand, if it has been moved farther down into the pipes, it may be necessary to remove a portion of the pipe under the sink to retrieve the object. In order to avoid a mess, have somewhere for the extra water to go. Consider turning off the water to the house while you perform the rescue mission.
Plunger First
Many experts recommend that homeowners use a plunger on their drains before bringing in any type of cleaners. Sometimes the movement created by the plunger can loosen things up and get the water flowing once again. If you feel pretty comfortable, you can always use a sewer snake. Take caution and be aware that if you have come to this point, it is probably time for a professional to examine your plumbing. The last thing you want to do is make things worse.
Drain Cleaning Products
You can be sure that whatever drain cleaning product you purchased from the store is going to be made up a variety of chemicals. This being said, be sure that you are wearing protective gloves and that you are not directly inhaling the fumes. If used incorrectly, these products can damage some forms of plumbing. Be sure that you are following all directions and allowing the product time to work.
If you are not interested in handling a drain clog on your own or you cannot seem to get things cleaned up alone, call in a plumber. This can save you lots of time and frustration. A job that takes hours for an amateur might only take 20 minutes for a professional.
