How to Use a Plumbing Snake to Unclog Your Drainage

A plumbing snake is a tool that plumbers use to unclog blockage from drain pipes. You can picture it as a long metal cable with an auger at one end and a hand crank at the other. Unblocking sink drains are the most common service calls that plumbers make, thereby showing just how important this tool can be.

Plumbing snakes are often considered the last resort after pouring hot water or industrial strength drain-clearing chemicals down the drain doesn't work. When you've tried each and every unclogging solution possible, and still the problem sticks stubbornly in place, it may be time for you bring in a plumbing snake.

Plumbing snakes can be either hand-cranked or motorized. The motorized ones come in two forms: the hand-held model or the drum auger. For most home plumbing problems, a hand-held motorized plumbing snake will suffice. Drum augers, on the other hand, are meant for professional plumber use.

To use a snake for plumbing repair, you need to protect your hand with gloves. Make sure to buy the ones that don't slip easily. It will be a good idea to have a bucket and towels ready within arm's reach before you begin. It's likely that the floor space you're working on will get wet once you start to unclog the drain, so wear a pair of working shoes as well to prevent drain filth from getting on your feet.

To begin unclogging the drain, push the snake into the drain while running the motor or turning the crank handle clockwise. As soon as you feel a tough spot, slowly ease the snake back. Push it forward again until you feel some resistance. Don't forcibly shove the cable through, though, because this could tangle it up.

Once you feel that the blockage has been cleared, withdraw the snake, pulling the debris out with the auger end. It is important that you pull the debris out instead of pushing it deeper in. This way, you are making sure that the debris won’t cause any more clogs further down the drain.

Using a plumbing snake isn't difficult, but it sure can be messy. You can keep your hands clean by hiring a professional plumber to do the job instead. They will have the necessary skills and know-how to perform the job quickly and efficiently. Unclogging drains is not the only thing professional plumbers like the ones at Milani are good at. So for any drainage problems or plumbing installation you may require, it's always a good idea to keep a plumber’s number listed in your phone’s emergency contacts.

Drain Tile Systems: The Solution to Water in Your Basement

Maybe you've already heard from your friends how installing drain tile systems helped solve their basement seepage problems. This is something you're also bound to hear from a professional Vancouver plumber once you report to them that water has accumulated in your basement floor. But what exactly is a drain tile and what does it do?

Drain tiles are among the most important aspects in home building and upkeep. If your home has a basement, a drain tile system will keep it free of floodwater. If your home is built on a slab, drain tiles will prevent water from pooling underneath it. Now that you know the system's advantages, isn't it about time you had one installed?

Whether a drain tile project involves a new installation or the replacement of an old one, you need to make sure that the job is done properly. Drain tiles are buried deep underground and are very costly to repair, which is why that kind of job has to be done right the first time. Before you even begin, the question you'll probably be asking is: should you do the project yourself or is it better to have a professional handle it?

If you are confident with your ability, and if you have experienced builders under your employ, then it's possible to install a drain tile system on your own, with little outside help. But if not, it may be more practical to let an expert in drain tile Vancouver residents highly recommend do the job instead. They will have the necessary skills and experience, not to mention the necessary tools, for doing the job quickly and correctly the first time.

Vancouver typically experiences rain between the months of October and March, with the rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy. It is in these months that water content in the soil runs high, increasing the possibility of having a wet basement. A wet basement can be a very stressful domestic problem; so before you start pulling out your hair in frustration, have a drain tile system installed as soon as you can.

A number of companies in Vancouver offer drain tile installation services, among them Milani. These companies can provide you with the protection necessary in keeping your basement dry in the long term, doing the job right by using only the best materials along with the latest methods. Contact a few Vancouver sewer and drainage experts and set up an appointment with any of them today to see how you can get help for your basement.