Clog Busting 101

Clogs still appear to be one of the most common household problems that appear over and over in forums and discussion groups. To this end I have written several blogs on the subject as well as having joined into so many discussions on forum groups that I can’t begin to some up with a count, yet the problem still persists. This weekend I finally ran across the best, simplest and most concise discussion via a video of simple clog busting procedures and tools of the trade. The video is by HGTV’s Eric Stromer and was posted on AOL. Here is the link to the video:

http://living.aol.com/gmc-trade-secrets/eric-stromer/fix-a-clogged-drain?icid=main|welcome|dl5|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fliving.aol.com%2Fgmc-trade-secrets%2Feric-stromer%2Ffix-a-clogged-drain

In the video Eric points out the “P” trap (and many people don’t know what one is) and that it is the most common point of clogs and he shows how easily it is removed, a simple pair of slip joint pliers. Most people are afraid to touch the “p” trap for fear that it is permanently attach or that some sort of leak will occur. In reality it is normally made up to be simple to take apart simply because by its on nature it attracts clogs. As for leaking, the most important thing to remember, as pointed out in the video is to put a bucket under it before you take it apart because it does trap water and will or should be full of it, and the bucket will make a convenient place to dump the contents if there is a clog. He goes on to demonstrate various devices to use to break up a clog including 2 different types of augers or “snakes”. These devices and their proper use are also new to many homeowners who generally reach for a bottle of liquid drain cleaner first. You should be cautioned that although sometimes these drain cleaners may work, they are caustic and dangerous to both you, your family, your pipes and the environment and should be avoided.
Even I learned something new on this video, a new clog breaking device called the “Clog Buster” (pictured above) which with a simple Google search can be found for about $10 at most hardware and big box stores. This device connects to your garden hose and super pressurizes the water. When inserted into your drain line past the “p” trap seals up against the drain line and powers a blast of water through most clogs. I don’t how this little device has slipped past my radar all these years but I WANT ONE!