Emergency Services

  It's not uncommon for debris to build up in a bathtub's siphon and clog the drain . However, if the tub backs up when you pour water into the sink, you can be sure that the tub's trap is unclogged. It's obvious that there's a clog, but it's past the point where the sink and tub drains converge. There are several ways to clear the clog. If one doesn't work, try another. Assess the situation Soap scum, hair and other debris can easily clog a bathtub drain, and the clog grows the slower the water flows and the more debris can settle. If you don't know where the clog is, the bathtub drain is usually a good place to start looking, but not if water from the sink is backing up into the tub. This backflow is a sign that the trap is unclogged. The clog is likely several feet from the drain, so you can't reach it with a snake inserted into the drain opening - usually a reliable strategy. Immersing the tub For the plunger to have the greatest effect, ...

  As with most clogged drains , the first method to try with a clogged tub is a toilet plunger. However, if plunging the drain doesn't yield results, the next step is drain relocation. Don't panic if you find that the drain hole doesn't have room for the snake - you can run the cable through the overflow plate instead. Often the drain blockage is at the plug of the drain, so you may not need the snake at all. If the clog is further down the drain, you may be able to solve the problem without the help of a plumber. Unscrew the metal plate under the tub faucet, called the overflow plate, making sure the screws don't fall into the drain. Remove the overflow plate. It is connected to the plug mechanism for the tub; pull it out through the hole behind the overflow plate as well. Put on rubber work gloves. Use a paper towel to remove any hair caught on the underside of the plug mechanism. If there is a large amount of hair stuck to the mechanism, this may be the cause of...

  A clogged double sink in the kitchen is a messy affair. You can fix most clogs yourself with a few simple tools. With double sinks, the two basins share a single drain, so clearing the clog in one basin will usually unclog the drain in both basins. Plug one of the basin drains with a plug or wet rag. Hold the plug in place. Add 10 cm of water to the other clogged basin. Turn the rubber cup of the siphon into the water so that the cup fills with water and not air. Place the cup over the drain and pump the handle up and down 20 times. Pull the plunger out of the drain and allow the water to drain. If your double sink has a garbage disposal, you will need to submerge the sink with the disposal first. Turn on the disposer and run the faucet to flush the unit and drain the water . Check the other basin to see if it drains. Check the trap under the sink for clogs. Shine the flashlight on the area under the sink if necessary. Place a bucket under the siphon. Put on rubber gloves. L...

  When a toilet is functioning properly, the water flows quickly from the tank into the bowl and on to the sewer line when the flush handle is activated. It is important that the water flows quickly because this movement creates the suction in the line that triggers the actual flush. Sluggish flow can be caused by a problem with the flushing mechanism, restricted flow between the tank and the bowl, a blockage in the waste line, or even poor venting. You don't have to be particularly systematic in your troubleshooting; you can try the simpler remedies first. Bump the toilet with a fixture that fits into the drain opening. Plunging is easy, and if the sluggish flush is caused by a partial blockage in the drain, it can probably be cleared with a plunger. If the toilet shows other signs of clogging, such as a back-up, you should use a toilet plunger to clear the clog if the plunger doesn't work. If you hear the gurgling   sounds, it means there is not enough air in the drain...

  The gurgling sound you hear from the sink when you flush the toilet may sound harmless, but it can lead to problems if you don't stop it. It means that the pipes are not properly vented, which can lead to slow water flow and eventually clogs. The gurgling occurs when air flows through the sink's trap. When there is enough air to drain the siphon, there is no longer a barrier between you and the foul, methane-laden fumes. Cleaning the vents can be as simple as plunging the toilet, but if the problem persists, you may need to repair some pipes. Close the sink drain, cover the overflow pipes with tape, and submerge the toilet. A partial blockage in the toilet drain pipe can force air through the sink drain, and submerging the toilet can clear the blockage. If you cover the sink drain, the force of the plunger will stay in the pipes. Listen for the gurgling sound. If it is still there, try again. Keep doing the plunge until you are sure it has no effect. Get up on the roo...

  Your pets may be drinking from the toilet. To make sure that's not the problem, keep the lid closed for a few days and watch the water level. If all else fails, close and remove the toilet to find a stubborn clog in the back of the trap. If the water level in the toilet bowl drops when you're not using the toilet, it's easy to suspect a leak . A disposable diaper, tampon or rag could be partially blocking the internal trap and creating a siphon that is draining the bowl. It is also possible that a vacuum in the sewer line, caused by clogged vents, is drawing water from the toilet. Either of these possibilities is preferable to an actual leak, as it means the bowl is cracked and needs to be replaced. Step 1 Listen for gurgling sounds coming from the toilet when you empty the bathtub or flush another toilet . These are sounds of air being sucked through the toilet to fill the vacuum in the drain. These sounds occur when the vents are blocked. It is also likely that...

  Before you begin It is important that you turn off the water in the shower before performing these steps. In most cases, the shower shut-off valves are located in an access hatch behind the shower wall. If you can't find shut-off valves, you may need to turn off the water throughout the house. Do not purchase replacement parts until you have removed the cartridge so you can compare model numbers at your local hardware, plumbing orhome improvement store. Remove front panel and screw Remove the index knob or faceplate located in the center of the faucet handle. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully unscrew it. This knob or plate exposes a screw that must be removed with a screwdriver. Remove the sleeve You will see a metal tube called a sleeve that covers and protects the cartridge. Pull it out by hand or pull it off with needle nose pliers. Remove the clip Then you need to use the pliers to remove the clip (or nut) that holds the cartridge in place. Carefully rem...

  How to close a shower drain You can plug a shower drain to prevent sewage from flowing back into your home if your shower is located on a lower floor or in the basement. When flood waters inundate local sewers, wastewater can back up into the drain pipes, creating a smelly and potentially dangerous mess that needs to be cleaned up. By inserting a removable twist plug into the shower drain, you can create a watertight seal that prevents sewage backflow, and remove the plug once the threat has passed and you can use your shower as usual. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that secure the shower cover to the shower drain. Remove the shower drain cover. Measure the diameter of your shower drain with a tape measure. Use this measurement to purchase the correct size swivel plug for your shower. Insert the bottom of the swivel plug into the shower drain as far as it will go. Turn the wing nut on the top of the plug until it is hand-tight. Using an adjustable wrench, turn ...

  A leaking or malfunctioning tub drainage system will result in severe water damage if not repaired. This is a situation that needs to be fixed before a property is shown or sold. Drainage pipes consist of the fixture and drain pipes that lead to the main drain. However, the actual drain from the tub pipe and the overflow pipe can also be considered part of the drainage system. The replacement of these pipes and the tools used will depend on what type of drain pipes are present to begin with. Step 1 The overflow cover is removed by unscrewing the mounting screws on the cover plate. Remove the drain basket by placing a screwdriver on each side of the basket and turning it counterclockwise. Remove the faucet from behind the tub. If it is plastic, use tongue and groove pliers to loosen the connecting nuts. If it is metal, use two pipe wrenches. Attach one pipe wrench to the pipe that is not to be rotated and the other pipe wrench to the pipe that is to be removed. Rotate the p...