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Having Plumbing Problems or Plumbing Questions Regarding Sinks, Toilets and Bathtubs

The most common plumbing problems or plumbing questions come up regarding sinks. It is a certain as the sunrise that sometime, somewhere, a house hold drain will clog and cause its contents to back up. This is always inconvenient and often messy. Knowing how to unclog a drain remains a basic survival skill for every home owner. How well i know this fact. Thank goodness my father-in-law is a retired contractor and taught me every thing he knows. The good news is that most clogs can be removed simply and safely without resorting to caustic chemicals or professional help. In fact, most professional plumbers almost never use chemicals. Their tools of choice are the plunger and snake. So here are my father-in-laws instructions for clearing a clog. He wrote the secrets of his trade down to share with the world.

Try to clear the clog first using a plunger. Remember to use a steady, rhythmic motion, and be persistent. But if plunging fails, bring out that snake. So lets begin by unclogging that kitchen sink.

STEP 1. Clamp the hose between the dishwasher and the sink or garbage disposer so the plunger is pushing only the clog.

STEP 2. Stop up the other side of a double kitchen sink when you plunge. A rag stuffed into a plastic bag works best. Keep some water in the sink.

OK.. now that you fixed the kitchen sink lets move onto the bathroom sink

STEP 1. Cover the overflow hole with a rag when plunging a bathroom sink so the plunger has maximum effect. Hint - Do the same for bathtubs.

Now that we are really ambitious lets unplug that toilet...

STEP 1. A plunger with a flange is the best kind for plunging toilets because it makes a good seal. The flange folds back on itself for use on sinks and tubs.

Now if you have tough clog lets bring that snake out..and don't worry it doesn't bite !

So lets snake (definition below) a few drains.....

1. Remove the trap under the kitchen or bathroom sink by loosening the slip nuts. Have a bucket handy to catch from the trap. When you reinstall the trap, use a new washer.

2. Insert the tip of the snake into the pipe until you feel it hit the clog. Twist the snake to drive the spiral tip into the clog, then pull the clog out with the snake.

"Got that" as dad would say..."Great..lets snake that toilet..I hear mom complaining."

STEP 1. A closet auger (definition below )works better in toilets than a standard snake, but it works the same way. Insert it into the toilet until

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