subject: How To Clear Drains Yourself [print this page] It is very common and unfortunate occurrence that drains are clogged in a building and water begins to leak. The structure of the building begins to suffer as a result and the need of professional help arises. Many people think that the best solution to these problems is to call a plumber. The trend is more common in large cities like Houston, where residents are accustomed to handling these problems and they call the nearest Houston plumber for assistance. But fact of matter is that there are times and situations where calling a professional for assistance is the best solution but in many cases it is recommended that you make use of some certain techniques before calling a plumber for problems related to piping and sewerage lines.
Clogged or blocked drains as the most common issue that many homeowners face. The best way of handling this problem is see visually whether anything is blocking the drain and remove these visible materials. The problem is more common in bathrooms and kitchens. In bathrooms the problem is mostly due to build up of hair. These hairs collect close to the opening and it is very easy to remove them. There are thin and flexible plastic strips with rear-facing barbs. Insert the device in the pipe and remove the hairs. Flush with water and the drain should be clear.
If the problem is in the toilet, take a toilet plunger, move it up and down several times very quickly. The sudden changes in pressure will help to break the clogs or blocks and the drain will begin to flow again normally. You should flush it a couple of more times to ensure that the clogs are removed. If the problem persists even after you have tried, use the special plumbers snake to break the block that is creating the problem. Do not use the usual plumbers' snake as it will not help in complicated clogs. In case of a very messy problem, you should avail the services of one of the reliable Houston plumbers.
The kitchen sink clogs can be very easily opened with a plunger. Try plunging the regular plunger in the sink pipe. However, if you have a double sink, then you might have to block the other side. The method is same; you have to swiftly move the plunger up and down over the opening. The changing pressure will help to break the clog materials. Use chemical openers if the plunger does not work.
You have to keep in mind the fact that these chemicals can cause reactions in the sinks and toilets. So, try to keep them away from your eyes as they can seriously harm your eyes. Many people try soda and vinegar as alternative to these chemicals. This is very simple as you have to throw a cup of soda in the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Flush it with hot water after 10 to 30 minutes. You might have to repeat the method several times in case of more firm clogs in the drains. This method is less expensive then the majority of chemicals available in the market and they are less dangerous as well.
