A slow-moving drain is an ominous sign.
In your bathtub or sink, standing water is an annoyance that we all aim to avoid. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, a clog occurs, backing up our drains and leaving the unpleasant stench of sulphur filling the room.
Thankfully, a clog is easy to clear if it’s dealt with right away.
Water that is slow to clear is usually an indication of a mild to moderate clog in your pipes. If prompt attention is paid, clearing it shouldn’t take more than an afternoon. If left untreated, however, a clog in your pipe could lead to damage that can be expensive to repair or, in the worst-case scenario, a backed-up sewage system.
Read on to find out why you shouldn’t ignore a clogged drain, ways to try to clear it yourself, and tips on preventing a blockage in the first place.
If you’re experiencing a slow-moving drain, or you’ve left it alone a little too long, click here for plumbing services in Vancouver.
A number of things can lead to a clogged drain, depending on which drain it is. Bathroom sinks and showers can easily become clogged due to long hair going down the drain. As hair accumulates, it starts to trap toothpaste and soap scum, eventually leading to a clog.
Kitchen sinks obviously succumb to clogging due to food and grease being poured down the drain, especially if you have a garbage disposal system installed.
It’s a good idea to run your garbage disposal long enough to make sure the food waste you’re putting down is shredded into pieces tiny enough to drain easily and never put bones in the garbage disposal.
Sink strainers are a handy purchase, too, as they will catch debris too big for the drain that you can dispose of in the green waste instead.
There are a lot of reliable plumbing services in Vancouver, but for a mild clog, you can use a number of methods to try to get water moving again yourself.
The first step would be to snake the drain. Using a length of wire (a metal coat hanger works great) bend the wire with a slight curve at the end, like the letter ‘J’. Insert the wire down the drain, move it back and forth until you can feel the clog, then retract the wire and dispose of the clog.
Using a plunger may work, too, but it’s a lot messier than snaking a drain. If you use a plunger, avoid plunging too hard as that can lead to cracks in the pipe.
Finally, there are a number of clog dissolving chemicals available for purchase with detailed instructions for use. If you prefer a more natural approach, equal parts vinegar and baking soda work well; just combine and pour down the sink, let it sit for a few hours and flush with hot water.
For kitchen sinks clogged with grease, pour a small amount of dish liquid down the drain and chase it with a large pot of boiling water.
If none of these methods work, the safest bet would be to enlist the help of a professional plumber to avoid doing damage to your pipes.
It’s good practice to address the issue of standing water or a slow-moving drain as soon as you notice it, rather than waiting for it to clear itself.
Over time, an untreated clog can lead to pressure building up in your pipe, and eventually the result could very well be a cracked or burst pipe.
Depending on where the pipe is located, the cost of repairs can vary widely.
Don’t delay; for plumbing services in Vancouver, Blue Sea Plumbing has been serving the lower mainland for over 15 years. Click here to get a quote today.
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