If a drain in your home is clogged or backing up, your first instinct may be to call an Edmonton plumber to fix the problem. Ultimately, this may be what you’ll have to do. But before you start dialing the plumbers on your list, why not at least try to fix the problem on your own? For many clogs, no advanced plumbing skills are needed, and you only have to go as far as you’re comfortable.
Ready to give it a shot? If so, hold off on calling that Edmonton plumber, and try these steps.
1. Diagnose the plumbing problem: In general, there are five main types of drain problems:
- A blockage completely prevents water from passing through.
- The water eventually drains, but only very slowly.
- Water backs up into your tub or sink, perhaps for seemingly no reason.
- The water may drain like normal, but it makes areas around the drainage pipes wet.
- Strange sounds emanate from the pipes either during or after draining.
While there are any number of potential causes for each of these problems, the most common issues involve either clogs or pipe damage. If it’s a clog, you may be able to fix it yourself, but if it’s pipe damage, you’ll probably need an Edmonton plumber.
2. How serious is the drainage problem? It’s very important to know whether the drainage problem is household-wide, or confined to a single fixture in your home. If it’s the former, you could have a serious issue with your plumbing, and you’ll probably need to call a professional to take care of it; but if it’s the latter, you have a good chance of fixing it yourself.
3. Use the hot water trick: If you have a clog or a back-up and the problem is confined to one water fixture in your home, try this trick. However, be warned: This only works with clogs that do not completely obstruct the drain. If water doesn’t drain at all, call an Edmonton plumber, or skip to step 4.
- Step 1: Make the water as hot as it can go. Let it run until it’s scalding to the touch, but be careful not to flood the tub or sink.
- Step 2: Plug up the drain. If you have a serious clog, this may seem unnecessary, but it can’t hurt. Also, since the water is so hot, you may want to use a long rubber glove or a reaching device to operate the plug.
- Step 3: With the hot water only, fill the sink or tub as high as it will go.
- Step 4: Unplug the drain. Ideally, the hot water and the pressure of the full sink or tub will remove the obstruction.
4. Try chemical solutions: Finally, chemical drain cleaners like Liquid Plummer and Drano aren’t guaranteed solutions, but you never know. It can’t hurt to try. However, if one bottle doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to call your friendly Edmonton plumber.
Need an Edmonton Plumber for a Clogged Drain? First, Try to Fix it Yourself
If a drain in your home is clogged or backing up, your first instinct may be to call an Edmonton plumber to fix the problem. Ultimately, this may be what you’ll have to do. But before you start dialing the plumbers on your list, why not at least try to fix the problem on your own? For many clogs, no advanced plumbing skills are needed, and you only have to go as far as you’re comfortable.
Ready to give it a shot? If so, hold off on calling that Edmonton plumber, and try these steps.
1. Diagnose the plumbing problem: In general, there are five main types of drain problems:
· A blockage completely prevents water from passing through.
· The water eventually drains, but only very slowly.
· Water backs up into your tub or sink, perhaps for seemingly no reason.
· The water may drain like normal, but it makes areas around the drainage pipes wet.
· Strange sounds emanate from the pipes either during or after draining.
While there are any number of potential causes for each of these problems, the most common issues involve either clogs or pipe damage. If it’s a clog, you may be able to fix it yourself, but if it’s pipe damage, you’ll probably need an Edmonton plumber.
2. How serious is the drainage problem? It’s very important to know whether the drainage problem is household-wide, or confined to a single fixture in your home. If it’s the former, you could have a serious issue with your plumbing, and you’ll probably need to call a professional to take care of it; but if it’s the latter, you have a good chance of fixing it yourself.
3. Use the hot water trick: If you have a clog or a back-up and the problem is confined to one water fixture in your home, try this trick. However, be warned: This only works with clogs that do not completely obstruct the drain. If water doesn’t drain at all, call an Edmonton plumber, or skip to step 4.
· Step 1: Make the water as hot as it can go. Let it run until it’s scalding to the touch, but be careful not to flood the tub or sink.
· Step 2: Plug up the drain. If you have a serious clog, this may seem unnecessary, but it can’t hurt. Also, since the water is so hot, you may want to use a long rubber glove or a reaching device to operate the plug.
· Step 3: With the hot water only, fill the sink or tub as high as it will go.
· Step 4: Unplug the drain. Ideally, the hot water and the pressure of the full sink or tub will remove the obstruction.
4. Try chemical solutions: Finally, chemical drain cleaners like Liquid Plummer and Drano aren’t guaranteed solutions, but you never know. It can’t hurt to try. However, if one bottle doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to call your friendly Edmonton plumber.
