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Plumbing Emergency: What To Do During a Flood

Welcome! My name is Sally. This is my blog about plumbing. I decided to start writing about plumbing after a very scary experience. I arrived home from work one day only to discover that a pipe burst in my home. When I opened the front door, I saw a torrent of water pouring down the stairs. I panicked and ran next door to my neighbour. Luckily, he used to work as a construction contractor, so he has a lot of experience in dealing with household problems. He helped me to turn off the mains water and helped me to mop up the mess. After this event, I decided I wanted to learn more about the plumbing in my house, so I went to a night school class.

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Plumbing Emergency: What To Do During a Flood

Why You May Not Be Able to Get That Blocked Drain Clear

by Melvin Owens

You may not need to call a plumber every time your home has a blocked drain; sometimes the old household trick of putting a little vinegar and baking soda in the drain can help to push a clog along quickly and easily. However, there may be some very good reasons why you can't get a blocked drain clear no matter what you try, and why you may want to stop your household tricks and simply give a plumber a call. Note a few of those reasons here so you know when a professional plumber is the right choice for your home.

You're using a cheap plunger

A small plunger you get at a home improvement store may not create enough suction to actually move along a clog. Some cheap plungers are made of thin, flimsy rubber that doesn't trap enough air and force it into the drain. Clean your plunger thoroughly and then try bending the rubber topper; if you can easily bend and move it with your fingers, it's probably too thin and lightweight for a serious clog. Upgrade to a commercial-quality plunger with a thick, rigid rubber top for maximum effectiveness.

The problem is outside your home

If there is a pipe outside your home that is cracked and leaking, it may have allowed in dirt and other sediment. A tree root may have also made its way into the pipe. In turn, water and solid matter begin to build up in this area and your drain is then eventually clogged. When this happens to your outside pipes, rarely will your caustic drain cleaners, plunging, or other methods of clearing the pipe actually work. As long as there is that obstruction in the outside pipes, your drain will be clogged. A professional who offers blocked drain clearing in your area can note where the obstruction is actually starting and replace an outside pipe if needed.

The clog isn't what you think

Caustic drain cleaners don't work on hair, paper, and other such solid materials; these are meant for shampoo and soap residue that break down easily. Trying to use this type of drain cleaner on material it can't break down is simply a waste of time, and will only damage your pipes. If a child has tossed a small toy down the kitchen sink and you assume that it's clogged because of food, your plunging efforts are also likely to fail, since that toy may be wedged into the pipes too tightly to be plunged out. If your attempts to clear the drain keep failing, call a plumber so he or she can determine the real cause of the blockage and address it properly.

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