How do you actually feel when it comes to need a plumber?
How to Use a Plumber’s Snake
A plumber’s snake, or drain auger, is a tool that reaches down into pipes to remove clog-causing blockage. Snakes make up the middle ground between common household plungers and the really big guns. If you’re dealing with a clog too stubborn for your plunger, then a snake is your best chance to clear it out yourself.
Snakes are much more powerful drain-clearers than plungers, but they’re also slightly riskier to use. If you use your plumber’s snake improperly, then you might tear up your pipes or even create leaks. To avoid doing that, it’s important to know how your snake works and how to use it correctly. Here’s everything you should know about using a plumber’s snake.
How does a plumber’s snake work?
what is a plumber's snake?A plumber’s snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a small auger or uncoiled spring on one end and a handle on the other. The auger on the snake looks like a drill bit or a corkscrew. Home plumber’s snakes are usually around 50 feet long. The cable coils up when you’re not using it. Most home plumber’s snakes are hand-operated, and probably have a rotatable handle or even a crank.
Plumber’s snakes work by entering the drain directly to physically contact and then clear away the obstruction causing the clog. You manually insert the auger end of the snake into the drain and then begin uncoiling by rotating the handle. As the snake uncoils, the auger moves further through the drain pipe, until it breaks through the obstruction.
How do you use a plumber’s snake?
1. Put on some clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and lay some old towels beneath the pipes you’re working on. Depending on the nature of the clog, your snaking procedure could get messy. This is especially important if you end up removing the p-trap.
2. (Optional) Consider removing the p-trap. The p-trap, or p-bend, is the curving piece of pipe beneath the sink. It connects the sink to the greater drain pipe system in your home. The reason it’s curved is to prevent sewer gases from rising through the sink and into the home. P-traps are often made of PVC pipe, though they can also be metal.
You can manually remove the p-trap, either with your hands or with the help of an adjustable wrench. Once you remove the p-trap, you should thoroughly inspect and clean it out. If you find your obstruction, then you won’t have to snake at all! Even if you don’t find anything, removing the trap could make snaking easier.
3. (Optional) Consider removing the trap arm. A trap arm is the part of the pipe between the p-trap and the actual wall pipe. It holds the p-trap in place and may curve again to reach the wall. Look for a plastic or metal nut connecting the trap arm to the wall. If you can find one, loosen it to remove the trap arm. If you can’t, then it’s possible the arm is glued in place; don’t attempt to remove it in that case. Make sure you clean out the trap arm like you did the p-trap once you remove it.
Removing the trap arm gets you as close to the drain pipe as possible. Look inside the drain pipe to look for any obstructions. If you can see the obstruction, try removing it from where you are. If you can’t, you should use your snake.
4. Manually thread the auger head of the snake into the pipe. Insert the head of the snake into either the drain (if you didn’t remove the trap), or the access point on the wall. If you didn’t remove the trap, consider running cold water while you snake.
Don’t force the auger into the drain too hard, or you could damage the drain entrance or pipe. Be patient and make sure the head and cable aren’t too long for the drain you’re trying to snake.
5. Begin uncoiling the snake using the handle. Keep the handle of the snake as close to the entrance of the pipe as possible. The more slack the auger had has, the less force you’re supplying it.
Rotate the handle at a consistent pace. Don’t try to rush it or rotate too slowly. If you feel pressure at any point while the cable moves through the pipe, you may have encountered the obstruction.
6. Upon reaching the obstruction, move the rotate the head back-and-forth and up-and-down. Try to break up the obstruction as thoroughly as possible. Don’t try to jam the auger into the walls of the pipe, however. If you hear scraping noises, then you should stop snaking and re-adjust.
If you think the auger might be stuck in the obstruction, consider pulling the snake out of the pipe. In some cases, the obstruction may come out with it. Continue snaking until you no longer feel resistance and the snake uncoils to its full length.
7. Pull the snake out and re-assemble the sink components. Check the auger head for remains of the obstruction and clean it off. If you removed the trap arm and p-trap, then you should re-install them at this point.
8. Check the sink. The snake should have successfully removed the obstruction and solved the clogging problem. If you still seem to have a clog, then you could try repeating your snaking process again. Just like plunging, however, snaking too much can harm your pipes or drains. If a thorough snaking really didn’t solve your problem, then you should consider calling in the pros.
Snaking is a surprisingly easy and accessible homeowner project. As long as you understand how to use your snake, you should solve your problem without creating new ones.
Sometimes, however, you may not be able to beat that clog, no matter what you try. Don’t despair! After your snake, the next step is to call Mike Diamond. We’ve got the tools and know how to find and break up any clog, no matter how stubborn.
Once You Need to Upgrade The Water Heater Here is How to Proceed
Hot water heaters are probably the most neglected residential devices in North American homes. It is something often ignored until something goes terribly wrong. It is commonly on a cold wintertime morning when you turn on the shower longer than usual and discover there is no hot water. That is when you are struck with the realization that you don't understand the way to repair a boiler.
How To Increase The Life Span of a Hot Water Tank
Quite often, a gas-supplied hot water tank will last an average of ten years. A replacement tank can be bought at your close by hardware store when it's time if you so choose. You can stretch out the inevitable up grade by a little while, if you understand how to handle of your hot water tank by cleaning it at least every year or by making use of an insulation jacket. You want to keep up with either one or both tips to ensure that it's going to last as long as is possible.
While you may be familiar with the need for updating a heater that has seen better days, you might wonder the reason why exactly this is a necessary step prior to the unit reaching its typical lifetime limit.
A Water Heater Replacement Cuts Back On Utilities
The biggest advantage of investing in a new hot water tank is the cost savings on your home heating costs. New hot water tanks get better constantly and you could expect a new drain cleaning service one to be much more efficient than the old one. You will discover a few things to think about with your new purchase if you need to maximize your savings and that is how much use it will likely be subjected to.
A larger hot water heater will be needed if you have a big family. After all, extra individuals means more hot water.
Different Sorts of Hot Water Tanks
Normally, they are grouped into two kinds - natural gas and electric. Gas water heaters are frequently more expensive to buy and the electric ones could be roughly the same value at first, but for the most part slightly less to get. A lot of people go with the typical water heater tank, but on demand hot water heaters are likewise gaining popularity, so you may want to look at the second sort of hot water heater.
Whether or not you choose a gas-powered or electric water heater, you can pick instant hot water with what is referenced as the on-demand water heater system. And certainly those who prefer to go green you can take a look at solar energy water heaters, which greatly diminish the unhealthy emissions released by other heating models. Just remember the installation difficulty you'll face with a solar water heater, so be prepared to pay those extra installation expenses.
Irregardless of which way you choose to go with regards to a new hot water tank, it is advisable you retain the services of a professional for the work. This particular type of work involves an knowledge of local heating system codes and suitable ventilation of fumes for gas units. If you're unfamiliar with this kind of work then don't joepardise your funds or your family members safety with a hap-hazard attempt at any such work..
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