In general, homeowners tend to operate on a schedule that suits their needs, whether for work or play. The concept of repairing a drain pipe tends to be relegated to a lower priority because it is very likely that it will seldom be included in that schedule. However, this can become a major issue over time. Well, if you haven’t actually acted on the red flags, your time may be running out.
Home repair experts in the industry understand that repairs aren’t fun to think about because they mean there’s a problem somewhere and it costs money to fix. This means spending time, money, and effort on the less wonderful things in life. But the thing is, if you’ve made the investment to own a home, part of your responsibility is to make sure you’re doing the best you can, and Drain Repair Toronto should be on the top in terms of importance.
There is no proverbial manual that knows everything you can about drain pipe repair. Luckily, home maintenance experts, professional plumbers, and general contractors seem to agree that there are certain ‘secrets’ that all homeowners should generally be aware of.
Instead of going through hundreds of pages of web search results, here are 5 drain repair secrets every homeowner should know.
1. Don’t ignore the slow drainage – we’ve all faced it when shaving or brushing our teeth. Suddenly the water is going down the drain a little slower than before. It may not seem like a big deal, but it could indicate some kind of blockage in the plumbing. It’s time to monitor it, see how often it happens, and address it if it happens regularly.
2. Recurring clogging problem – Your sink drain or shower drain may be constantly clogged. All you need to know is that the piping should run without interruption of flow. This is definitely a sign of a bigger problem with your plumbing system.
3. Multiple clogged drains at once – If you haven’t gotten the message yet, here’s a serious red flag! If you have multiple drains throughout your piping system, slow flow, or clogging at the same time, you have a serious problem. This is out of scope for a DIY approach with a plunger or auger.
4. Odor – Another sure sign that your drain needs attention is a bad smell. If your sewage gas doesn’t drain properly, you can imagine all the other problems going down the drain.
5. Don’t force it – It can be a little daunting to think that once exhausting facing issues like the ones mentioned above means you don’t have much to offer as a homeowner. Rather than getting discouraged, you should understand that you have the necessary level of expertise along with the right tools to ensure that your drains are not only properly treated, but that no damage is caused. Severely damaged drains, pipes, and main sewers can cause serious problems. Taking professional steps is about being smart, not about admitting defeat.
Proper Feathered Snake Techniques
Once you’ve determined that you can safely use a plumbing snake, put on your dirtiest clothes and spread old towels around your work area. Rubber gloves should also be worn during this process. A few things to keep in mind:
* Start with the smallest snake and progress to larger snakes only if you can’t clear the blockage the first time.
* Insert the end of the snake’s coil into the clogged drain and slowly turn the crank clockwise to advance the snake. Allow the snake to find its way through the pipe. Don’t force it.
* If you find it difficult to turn the handle, turn the crank over and take out the snake to clean it. Have a bucket ready to hold the foreign object.
* If you find a blockage, do not force the snake. Instead, use the snake to “catch” the clog and pull it out. It is recommended to completely clear the blockage and then push it further down the drain.
* Reinsert the snake and continue cleaning the drain until it is clear.