This Week: Clearing Drains (Part 1: Indoors)

Nov 25 2007 Donny

Diy Donny

No one likes throwing money down the drain after a blockage.

But if you spot it early, clearing pipes is a simple job that needn't require a plumber.

It is almost like a built-in sense when you see the water draining. slowly. So don't walk away, hoping that it will solve itself - because it won't.

It really is a simple job to fix (but not glamorous) so don't call a plumber. Do yourself a favour and save a few quid by doing it yourself.

Waste pipes from sinks, baths and showers can become blocked with hair, food and, worst of all, grease and animal fat, which solidifies as soon as it goes down the plug hole, clogging up the drainage pipes and preventing the water from draining away.

It is just a matter of elimination to locate the blockage, starting To clear a blockage, there is a variety of tools which can be used without getting in the experts.

TOOLS YOU'LL NEED

Rubber gloves

Drain auger

Plunger

MATERIALS

Disinfectant

Here's how it's done..

1Cover the plug hole with the plunger then cover the sink's overflow with a damp cloth, so the full force of the plunging is sent down the plug hole.

2Pump the plunger up and down to force out the blockage. If the water does not drain away, you will need to clean the trap.

3The trap under the sink is a water seal to prevent smells. A bottle trap is prone to blockage and can be cleared easily by disconnecting the lower section and emptying.

4The other trap you will come across is the tubular type. As with the bottle trap, insert the plug into the plug hole and place a bucket under the trap. Then wash out the trap to clear any debris.

5If the trap is clear, feed a drain auger to probe down the waste branch pipe leading from the trap.

The drain auger has a handle that rotates the head of the flexible wire, breaking up any blockage.

6If you have a blocked toilet, use a plunger, as with the sink, to clear it. Remember the rubber gloves. If successful, you will notice the water level falling sharply.

7If the plunger fails, use the auger. Its flexible rod passes the U-bend. Turn the handle to rotate the wire and shift the blockage (don't be put off your dinner).

TOP TIP - Always clean the tools with disinfectant after use (for obvious reasons)