Unless someone is blessed by the "plumbing angel", most people experience a plumbing glitch. Repair is necessary and repairs aren't cheap. Around here it costs $95 just to have the plumber come through the door.
This article from "Popular Mechanics" may give us enough know-how to fix some plumbing problems and save some money. The instructions seem easy and straight forward. Take a look.
"Garbage disposal and drain odors are making your kitchen an unpleasant place.
The quick fix: Garbage disposals can retain food bacteria in the blades, making for an olfactory nightmare. Clean out the unit by pouring a cup of white vinegar followed by a flush of very hot water. For a drain, pour in a cup of white vinegar; let it stand for 30 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
Slime time
You’re right in the middle of preparing that big Thanksgiving feast when your kitchen sink chokes on all the grease that you’ve been allowing to go down the drain.
The quick fix:
Use a heating pad wrapped around the drain trap (or a hair dryer if you’re willing to hold it there) until the metal becomes hot. This will melt the grease and allow you to flush it away with a running stream of hot water.
Disaster prevention Stopping clogs is a battle fought on two fronts. First, you should be careful about what goes down the drain. Second, you need to take regular action to clear small deposits that inevitably form in any drain.
Use drain screens to keep hair, soap scum and other solids from making their way into the drain.
Never pour grease down the drain, and clean greasy pots and pans as thoroughly as possible with a paper towel before cleaning in hot water in the sink.
Never dump chemicals such as paint or paint thinners down a drain — even a shower drain or utility sink.
Clean all your sink stoppers regularly.
Once a week (make it a regular part of your weekly cleaning schedule), pour boiling hot water down your drains.
Bathrooms: Slow motion
Your bathroom sink is draining little but your patience.
The quick fix:
The handy plunger is one of the best tools for a slow-moving drain. Fill the sink with a few inches of water to provide a good seal around the plunger. Next, stuff a wet rag into the overflow opening of the sink. Try to completely fill the opening so that you get a good seal. By blocking the opening, no air can reach the drain, which greatly increases the effectiveness of the plunger. Finally, plunge away.
Clean out
Your drain won’t — and the plunger you have isn’t strong enough.
The quick fix:
In an emergency, you can use a wet/dry shop vacuum to help clear a clog. Put the mouth of the vacuum hose over the drain opening and seal around it with a wet cloth (also plug up any overflow holes). Turn the vacuum on and off quickly until the clog clears.
Standing water
Soap scum and the residue of other body and hair products have packed your shower drain to capacity.
The quick fix:
If simple plunging, hot water or chemical drain cleaners don’t work, you may need a more powerful ally. Run a garden hose in through a nearby window and secure it in the opening of the drain (drying the shower floor thoroughly and duct taping the hose securely in place is a good option). Once you’re certain the hose has been sealed in the drain, turn on the spigot full force and it should blast the clog free."
Happy Plunging!!
Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.
Jeanne
This article from "Popular Mechanics" may give us enough know-how to fix some plumbing problems and save some money. The instructions seem easy and straight forward. Take a look.
"Garbage disposal and drain odors are making your kitchen an unpleasant place.
The quick fix: Garbage disposals can retain food bacteria in the blades, making for an olfactory nightmare. Clean out the unit by pouring a cup of white vinegar followed by a flush of very hot water. For a drain, pour in a cup of white vinegar; let it stand for 30 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
Slime time
You’re right in the middle of preparing that big Thanksgiving feast when your kitchen sink chokes on all the grease that you’ve been allowing to go down the drain.
The quick fix:
Use a heating pad wrapped around the drain trap (or a hair dryer if you’re willing to hold it there) until the metal becomes hot. This will melt the grease and allow you to flush it away with a running stream of hot water.
Disaster prevention Stopping clogs is a battle fought on two fronts. First, you should be careful about what goes down the drain. Second, you need to take regular action to clear small deposits that inevitably form in any drain.
Never pour grease down the drain, and clean greasy pots and pans as thoroughly as possible with a paper towel before cleaning in hot water in the sink.
Never dump chemicals such as paint or paint thinners down a drain — even a shower drain or utility sink.
Clean all your sink stoppers regularly.
Once a week (make it a regular part of your weekly cleaning schedule), pour boiling hot water down your drains.
Bathrooms: Slow motion
The quick fix:
The handy plunger is one of the best tools for a slow-moving drain. Fill the sink with a few inches of water to provide a good seal around the plunger. Next, stuff a wet rag into the overflow opening of the sink. Try to completely fill the opening so that you get a good seal. By blocking the opening, no air can reach the drain, which greatly increases the effectiveness of the plunger. Finally, plunge away.
Clean out
Your drain won’t — and the plunger you have isn’t strong enough.
The quick fix:
In an emergency, you can use a wet/dry shop vacuum to help clear a clog. Put the mouth of the vacuum hose over the drain opening and seal around it with a wet cloth (also plug up any overflow holes). Turn the vacuum on and off quickly until the clog clears.
Standing water
Soap scum and the residue of other body and hair products have packed your shower drain to capacity.
The quick fix:
If simple plunging, hot water or chemical drain cleaners don’t work, you may need a more powerful ally. Run a garden hose in through a nearby window and secure it in the opening of the drain (drying the shower floor thoroughly and duct taping the hose securely in place is a good option). Once you’re certain the hose has been sealed in the drain, turn on the spigot full force and it should blast the clog free."
Happy Plunging!!
Meanwhile .... keep it simple and make it real.
Jeanne
I do the plunger method on occasion. great tips
ReplyDeleteI am very astonished by the data of this blog and i am happy i had a look in excess of the blog. thank you so much for sharing such great data.
ReplyDeleteBoilers in North London
plumbing and heating in Finchley
You are so welcome! I am so pleased to hear from a professional - your comment really validates my info.
DeleteIt's really and inspiring post particularly the last sentence is a great example to be inspired. I think we should always be careful before doing any DIY project. If are not able to do though we know then should call expert. I wanted to get plumbing of boiler myself but I had to call boiler guys to make it done. Anyway, thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDelete