What to know before unclogging a drain

Before calling anyone, you should understand the different techniques used by experts to unclog a sewer drain. Some are within your reach while others are left to the professionals.

Plumber Bristol Slow or non-functioning drains are the top frustration for homeowners. It can be difficult to find the location of the plug especially if you do not understand how the pipes work inside your home. You might need professionals if you have determined that the sewer is clogged between your home and the main sewer.

If you are a handyman

For less than a few hundred dollars a day, you can rent a motorized auger disgorger. This is an electric cable used by professionals.

Wear thick gloves and unwind the cable by pressing the pedal;

Several cutting tools of increasing size are attached to the cable. The cable runs from the drain opening to the sewer. Slowly move it back and forth as soon as it hits a cork;

Periodically run hot water down the drain to loosen the shredded debris;

This procedure should be considered every year to avoid sewer problems.

Call the professionals

If spinning machinery scares you, or if you (rightly) fear an accidental rupture of an old pipe, it's time to call the experts.

Two techniques for emptying drains are used by professionals:

The already mentioned spinner disgorger;

The high pressure water jet.

The first tool is the best for getting rid of small tree roots.

The second option is better to completely destroy the ordinary grease and sludge that forms in the sewage pipes (there is also a DIY option, which is to use specialized accessories with a household pressure washer, but this task not recommended for beginners or those who fear basement flooding).

Get multiple quotes

Not all drain unblocking professionals are created equal. Consult your neighbors. Go online to request quotes from local service providers.

You obviously prefer a long-standing business rather than a newcomer who uses a device similar to the one you could have rented.

Beware of companies that send you a quote before they come to see the situation.

Minimum service charges are inevitable, but who wants to pay hundreds of dollars for someone who only works 15 minutes?

Take a better look at your drain problems

When drain unblocking companies come to visit you too often, another related service may be of interest to you: a video inspection. This involves inserting a lamp and a camera into the pipe.

The process records on video the condition of the pipeline and the exact location of the plugs.

Thanks to this concrete representation of the problem, future interventions will intimidate you much less.

By properly maintaining your drains you will avoid costly repairs, and even worse, replacing a portion of the pipe.

6 causes of bad odors in a washer

If your machine has a sewage odor, then obviously there is a problem. Here are some reasons why your machine suffers from a foul odor.

Before you call the repairman, here are some issues you can review and fix on your own.

1. Check if the drain hose is clogged.

Water cannot flow through a blocked or kinked hose. Odors will almost certainly accumulate there after a while.

Inspect the hose to make sure everything is working well and run a hot cycle to try to drain the hose and therefore eliminate odors.

2. Try bleach

A very simple solution is to run a hot cycle with bleach.

The bleach should kill the germs in the hose or in the washer.

3. Do you remember your missing bottom?

Have you ever wondered what happened to your second bottom?

Look under the agitator and see if any small items, such as a stocking, have gotten stuck in it.

A stocking stuck there may absorb moisture from the machine, which could cause an unpleasant odor.

4. Check the exhaust outlet

Another place to inspect is the drain outlet, where the wastewater is drained.

Run your machine without clothes on, and see if the water does drain out during the cycle. If blocked, water could collect in one area and emit odors.

Make sure the drain is completely dry.

5. Try other hot water washes

Cold water washes save you time and energy, but it's important to follow that up with a hot water soak for your last cycle.

Hot water will help dissolve the film of organic material that has formed, which should aid drainage.

Hot water will also help flush out build-ups potentially causing foul odors.

6. Empty the lint filter

Maybe it doesn't occur to you to clean your washer's lint filter like you do with your dryer, but the fact remains that if it accumulates in a humid environment, this dust can cause mold and mildew and smells.

If your efforts to find the source of the odor are unsuccessful, then it's time to call the repairman. At the very least, your investigation will help the repairman rule out some possibilities up front, saving you time and money when assessing the root of the problem.

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