Plumbing - Tips & Tricks

How to Unblock a Bathtub DrainBetween hair, soap scum, and so forth, bath tub drains are no strangers to stubborn obstructions. Sure, you can call a plumbing each time your bath tub drain is blocked, or you can learn a few fast tricks that professional plumbers utilize in their own homes. Keep reading to learn 3 easy methods you can unblock your bath tub drain by yourself.1. Drain ClawA drain claw is an useful gadget when it concerns rapidly and easily clearing an obstruction that has actually formed within your bathtub drain.MaterialsScrewdriverWashcloth or paper towelsDrain clawHow to Unclog a Bath Tub Drain Utilizing a Drain ClawInstructionsStep 1. Get rid of the strainer and the stopper. Some bathtubs may only have a stopper and no strainer.Step 2. Use a washcloth or paper towel to remove any excess hair and soap residue that has collected around the strainer and the stopper.Step 3. When the strainer and stopper are clean, place the drain claw into the drain. When the drain claw is deep enough, it will strike the drain trap. Continue pressing the drain claw through the drain trap.Step 4. Move the drain claw in a sluggish back-and-forth motion. The drain claw has little interlocking hooks, so it will be able to get any hair that is clogging the drain.Step 5. Get rid of the drain claw and clean it. Test that the blockage is clean by running the water.Step 6. If the obstruction is cleared, replace the strainer and stopper.2. Sodium Bicarbonate and VinegarTwo household items you likely already have and 30 minutes of your time is all you need to unblock that stubborn bathtub drain.MaterialsScrewdriverSodium bicarbonateVinegarGlovesHow to Unclog a Tub Drain Using Baking Soda and VinegarInstructionsStep 1. Eliminate the strainer and the stopper. Some bath tubs may just have a stopper and no strainer.Step 2. Utilize a washcloth or paper towel to eliminate any excess hair or soap residue that has actually accumulated around the strainer and the stopper.Step 3. Boil a pot of water and carefully pour the thin down the clogged bath tub drain.Step 4. After pouring the boiling thin down the tub drain, put 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.Step 5. Boil another pot of water and, after you have let the baking soda-vinegar mix sit, pour the boiling thin down the bathtub drain. Test that the obstruction is clean by running the water.Step 6. If the clog is cleared, change the strainer and stopper.3. Toilet PlungerYep, you read that right. The exact same useful gadget utilized to unblock your toilet can be used to eliminate stubborn clogs in your bathtub drain too.MaterialsScrewdriverPlungerHow to Unclog a Bathtub Drain Utilizing a Toilet PlungerDirectionsStep 1. Remove the strainer and the stopper. Some tubs might only have a stopper and no strainer.Step 2. Use a wash rag or paper towel to get rid of any excess hair or soap residue that has actually accumulated around the strainer and the stopper.Step 3. Fill the tub with a few inches of water-- simply enough to submerge the plunger so it can create suction.Step 4. Use the plunger as you would in your toilet to suction out an obstruction in the drain. Place the plunger bowl over the drain and press up and down quickly.Step 5. After 10 to 15 plunges, check for any dirty water and/or particles turning up from the drain. If not, keep plunging.Step 6. If you do not see any unclean water and/or debris after plunging, change to another method.Support the show (https://eplumber.org)

Significant pipes problems need to be addressed by professionals but there are minor problems, like changing a ballcock on the toilet, which can be done by the property owner. If you have actually ever flushed the toilet and the water continued to run, then you have a problem with the height of the ballcock assembly in the tank. There are two concerns that can cause the water to continue to run. The first is that the water is expensive, so the float ball does not properly close the valve, permitting water to go into the overflow tube. The second issue is that the float ball is broken, which lets water in and consequently doesn't enable the valve to close properly. Here's how to change the ballcock for either kind of scenario.Step 1 - PrepareIn order to work with the toilet, and particularly the ballcock, you need to turn the water off. Look behind the tank of the toilet. You will see a shutoff valve to just that individual toilet. The valve should be near the floor and is usually found on the left side of the toilet. Turn the valve clockwise in order to turn the water off.Remove the cover to the toilet tank. You will see a couple of basic things like a float ball, lever, and gaskets. Do not concern yourself with these things yet, as for now you require to clear the tank. In order to do this all you have to do is push down on the flusher. The water will exit through the gasket at the bottom of the tank and not refill, because you turned the water off.Step 2 - Locate the BallcockNow that the tank is empty you can start to determine the pieces inside the tank. You will see a float ball that is attached to a metal or plastic rod. These two things are attached to another lever, which is connected to the flush lever. When you flush the toilet the lever lifts and the float ball rises. When this happens a chain is pulled, which pulls up a diaphragm that is covering the hole to the pipe. For this easy fix, you should only issue yourself with the thumb screws near the top of the assembly. They might be screws or wing nuts.Step 3 - Change the BallcockThe wetness in the tank can trigger issues with adjusting the ballcock. Dry the assembly with the towel and after that grease the screw location with a small amount of the petroleum jelly. This will help to oil the screw so that it can be quickly moved. In order to reduce the ball even more to shut off the pipeline, turn the screw clockwise by half turns. This will drop the float ball more exactly than flexing the lever. Then check the system to guarantee it if working effectively.Support the show (https://eplumber.org)