Clogged drains or stoppages can cause major inconvenience to homeowners. They stop or slow the flow of water, but also cause bad smells and stains, and can even become a health and safety issue if not dealt with promptly. This video explores the causes of stoppages in different parts of the home and how to unblock them.
One of the most common clogs is in the toilet. A mass of paper and solid waste can jam in the “S bend” part of the waste pipe. Pushing continuously with a plunger may do more harm than good by compressing the waste and making it harder to shift.
The best move here is to gently create a seal between the plunger and the opening to the waste pipe and pull. This should dislodge and break up the waste, making it easier to flush. If this doesn't work, a specialist tool called a closet auger may fix the blockage.
Blocked washbasins or lavatories need a different action. Pushing with a plunger does work here, but only if the person doing it remembers to block the overflow hole. This prevents waste and water from coming back up out of this hole, which would render the plunging useless. Blocking this hole creates a tight seal so that the clogged drain can be cleared more thoroughly and efficiently.
