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How to Unclog a Blocked Tub Drain

Tub drains may clog from time to time, but unclogging them is an easy process with a few quick solutions.

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Plumbing snake Plunger Rag Screwdriver Wire coat hanger Wire cutter

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How to Unclog a Blocked Tub Drain

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" clean off the drain plug and put it aside for now. We'll look further for the blockage. Unscrew the fastener holding the drain cover in place and remove the cover. Cut a piece of wire from an old coat hanger, bend the end of the coat hanger wire into a hook, slide the hook along the edge of the drainpipe to hook any hair blocking the drain. The idea is to bring the hook behind the blockage and pull it out. Try not to push the blockage any further down the drain. If the wire hook doesn't completely clear the drain, try a plunger whether alone or with other techniques a plunger can be very effective in clearing a drain. First, plug up the overflow drain with a wet rag to keep the pressure in the pipe. Then, press down on the plunger using a steady pumping motion. The pressure created by the plunger will often loosen the blockage. If the first two techniques don't work, the next step is to try a snake or auger. Slide the snake into the drain and work it down as far as you can using a pushing and pulling motion. Turning the handle, rotate the snake in the pipe as you push it forward. You can run hot water down the drain as you work the snake through to help dissolve any built up grease and to break up the blockage. Generally, one of these three approaches will clear the blockage from the drain. When the drains cleared, it's time to clean up. Insert the drain mechanism back into the overflow drain then replace the drain cover fastening it in place with a screw. In most cases, one of these three techniques will clean the blockage from the drain and your tub will be back in service."

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How to Fix a Clogged Drain

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Don t let a drain clog slow you down; it s usually an easy fix. A partial clog can be cleared by cleaning out the drainpipe. Older plumbing can be damaged by using harsh drain chemicals, so opt for a naturally biodegrading drain cleaner or use this homemade solution: pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly add a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for five minutes, then flush with a gallon of boiling water. Some clogs call for a plunger. The key here is to create a vacuum. If you re working on the kitchen sink, you need to clamp off the dishwasher hose and seal the drain openings in the other sink basins. If it s the bathroom sink or tub, plug the overflow opening with a wet rag. With at least a couple inches of water in the basin, plunge rapidly several times, pulling up sharply at the end to move the clog. You may need to do this several times. If plunging doesn t clear the clog, use an auger. If your drain opening is obstructed, sometimes a coat hanger wire with a small hooked end will bring up the clog. You can also detach the trap under the sink with a plumber s wrench in order to get at the clog or to rescue anything you ve lost down the drain. If you don t see an improvement in drainage after all of that and especially if more than one drain is slow in your house you should consult a plumber since the problem could be caused by blocked or improper venting of the wastewater system. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

How to Clear a Blocked Sink Drain

Clearing a blocked sink drain requires only few basic tools and a little elbow grease.

Spraying on and Painting a Heat-reflective Pool Deck Surface

Don Humphrey is spraying a cement and polymer mix from Innovative Concrete Technology called Texture-Krete 2000 onto the pool edge and deck in Punta Gorda, Florida. He moves in a circular motion to splat the cement mix onto the deck. As the gloss begins to leave the spots, a crewmember follows behind to knock it down with a trowel. This removes the pointy tops but leaves a 1/16-inch stucco pattern to the pool deck to make it easy to walk on. The deck is cleaned and scratched to remove any rough points before Humphrey and his crew apply an acrylic paint to the textured deck surface. The key to a well-sealed surface is to roll the paint firmly into all the nooks and dips in the surface. Bob talks about the embedded deck drain set in the concrete that is pitched slightly away from the pool. Excess water and dirty deck water drains away from the pool and is carried off to the sides of the pool deck by the deck drain. Humphrey applies two coats of paint and a topcoat for protection. The deck can be maintained with gentle soap-and-water washing to prevent any white spots from drying chlorine on the painted surface. Humphrey says the paint should last three to five years before it is redone. One key to maintaining the surface is to avoid abrasive cleaners or power washing. Should any mold or mildew attack the surface, Humphrey suggests using a mild bleach-and-water solution to kill the mold. The oyster color the homeowners have selected should wear well and stay cool in the hot Florida sun. Editor�s Note: The deck surface product with cooling properties used in this application was not Kool Deck from Mortex.

Installing Systems to Keep Water Out of the Basement

Larry Janesky of Basement Systems reviews the work being done to cut a drainage trench in the concrete around the perimeter of the basement floor. Water will be channelled through the trench to a sump, where it can be pumped out of the home. The sump hole was dug at the lowest spot in the basement as determined by laser level. CleanSpace is being installed over the walls as a vapor barrier to drain water from the walls to the drainage system. It is possible to install CleanSpace in crawlspaces as well as in basements to prevent water buildup in underground walls and eliminate rot and mildew. Janesky recommends taking these two steps in securing the drainage of a home and to secure against all outside air leaks. The final step is to dehumidify the crawlspace. Janesky points out a corner of the basement where the Thermal Dry Wall System has been installed. This product goes behind finished walls and drains water like CleanSpace but also reflects heat generated in the basement back into the basement. Janesky then shows a portion of the floor where the Water Guard Drainage System has been installed in the drainage trench and secured with cement.