Как прочистить раковину без вантуза: Как прочистить раковину: устройства и химические средства

Как прочистить засор в раковине – народные и профессиональные средства

Засор в раковине – частое явление, даже если хозяйка поддерживает идеальную чистоту в доме/квартире и тщательно вымывает раковину от жира и грязи, не допускает попадания в сливную систему остатков пищи. Как прочистить засор без приложения усилий? Все просто – вызвать сантехника и верить в то, что он придет вовремя и выполнит свою работу качественно. Но вместо этого можно обойтись и своими силами, тем более что существует масса вариантов.

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Оглавление: 
1. Как прочистить засор в раковине вантузом
2. Как прочистить засор в раковине без вантуза
3. Специальные средства для прочистки засора в раковине
4. Механическая прочистка засора в раковине

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Как прочистить засор в раковине вантузом

Очень популярный, давно всем известный вантуз – настоящая «палочка-выручалочка» в моменты засора раковины. Принцип его действия простой – под давлением создается гидроудар в сливных трубах, что способствует проходу скопившейся грязи.

Вантуз нужно приложить резиновой стороной к отверстию в раковине так, чтобы оно было полностью закрыто. Затем делают 3-4 резких толчка, во время которых можно услышать характерные булькающие звуки в трубах. Затем вантуз вынимается и, как правило, вода из раковины начинает активно сливаться. Если же слив воды идет плохо, то нужно повторить процедуру с вантузом. Если наверх поднимается грязь/мусор/частички продуктов, то их нужно сразу удалить – при повторном попадании в слив они снова создадут засор.

Вантуз – это ответ на вопрос как прочистить раковину в ванной, ведь этот способ подходит для любых сливных систем, в том числе и для унитазов.

Как прочистить засор в раковине без вантуза

Если вантуза в домашнем хозяйстве нет, то можно воспользоваться народными средствами, основой в приготовлении которых является обычная пищевая сода. Именно этот продукт обладает способностью растворять жиры, что и обуславливает прочистку сливной системы в раковине. Итак, засор в раковине можно удалить следующими способами:

• три столовые ложки пищевой соды всыпать в сливное отверстие в раковине, затем смыть все горячей водой, желательно, чтобы это был кипяток;
• три столовые ложки пищевой соды залить уксусом в количестве 100 мл, выждать 15 минут – за это время закончится химическая реакция в сосуде. Затем раствор вливают в отверстие раковины и через 3 минуты все промывают горячей водой;
• взять в равных количествах обычный стиральный порошок и пищевую соду, всыпать в сливную систему раковины. Затем туда же влить уксус в количестве 200 мл и через 2-5 минут все промыть горячей водой.

Эти средства отлично справляются даже с сильными засорами, причем пищевая сода «работает» и для кухонных раковин, и для раковин в ванной комнате. Если засор случился на кухне, то, скорее всего, причиной этого будут жировые скопления – их растворить проще всего уксусом, так что в этом случае лучше использовать для очистительной процедуры второй рецепт из вышеуказанных.

Специальные средства для прочистки засора в раковине

Такой продукции на рынке очень много – они агрессивны, гарантируют практически мгновенный результат. Задача – выбрать такое чистящее средство, которое не только быстро и качественно устраняло бы засор в раковине, но и было безопасным. Мы предлагаем воспользоваться продукцией производителя «Невская косметика» — средство для прочистки труб от засоров «Мистер Чистер». Оно обладает отличными качественными характеристиками:

• устраняет засор за 15 минут;
• растворяет даже волосы и жир, но при этом совершенно безопасен для труб;
• дезинфицирует;
• устраняет неприятные запахи, даже если засор в раковине уже застарелый.

Кроме этого, средство «Мистер Чистер» для прочистки труб от засоров снабжено специальной крышечкой, которая предотвращает попытку детей попробовать на вкус содержимое яркого флакона. Прежде чем открыть флакон, нужно будет нажать на крышечку и, удерживая в таком положении, повернуть – только так откроется средство.

Посмотрите, как быстро «Мистер Чистер» растворил волосы, и совершенно не повредил ложечку и пластиковый стаканчик:

Удалить засор в раковине несложно, но гораздо целесообразнее просто не допускать этого. По статистике засор происходит по причине жировых скоплений в трубе, а они берутся как раз с внутренней поверхности раковины. Это говорит о том, что при уборке кухонного пространства нужно уделять внимание не только кафельным поверхностям, но и раковине – специальными средствами линейки «Мистер Чистер» от производителя «Невская косметика» можно удалить даже застывший жир и предупредить образование засора.

Механическая прочистка засора в раковине

Это довольно неприятная процедура, но иногда приходится проводить и ее. В кухонных раковинах имеется такая деталь, как сифон – он и задерживает различную грязь, не давая ей оформить засор в более дальних трубах. Современные системы монтажа раковин подразумевают установку съемного сифона, поэтому его нужно просто открутить, очистить и промыть.

Но механическая очистка сифона понадобится только в том случае, если пользоваться вантузом или народными средствами – они не удаляют неприятный запах и эффект от них кратковременный. А вот профессиональные средства и действуют дольше, и избавляют от необходимости вручную очищать сифон.

Прочистить засор в раковине вполне реально, просто нужно выбрать удобный способ.

Как прочистить засор в ванной — Kanalizaciya-Stroy

Добавить в закладки Версия для печати

Если в раковине или душевой кабине стала медленно стекать вода, то есть причина полагать, что забился трубопровод. Чтобы устранить проблему нужно знать, как прочистить засор в ванной содой, уксусом и прочими подручными средствами.

Содержание статьи

Причины возникновения засоров

Чтобы устранить проблему, нужно сначала определить причину её появления. Если Вы часто купаете домашних животных в ванной или чистите ворсистые текстильные изделия – то именно они и являются причиной забитой канализации. В таком случае в изгибе трубы образовался комок ниток, волос, жира, остатков мыла, которые не только мешают нормальному стоку воды, но и являются источниками бактерий и неприятного запаха.

Фото: засор в ванной канализационной трубе

Если же у Вас металлические трубы, то, возможно, они засорились из-за минерального нароста. Это случается в основном в домах старой постройки, ведь ранее для прокладывания коммуникаций использовались только чугунные или стальные трубы. Если Вы уверены, что проблема именно в «зарастании» внутреннего диаметра, то без вмешательства специалиста не обойтись.

Как устранить

Самый просто способ, который можно реализовать в домашних условиях – это засыпать отверстие трубопровода содой и добавить уксус. Вам понадобится:

1. Половина пачки обычной пищевой соды;
2. Половина стакана уксуса;
3. Горячая вода – как можно больше.

Вначале, в отверстие стока нужно засыпать соду, после чего подождать минут 10–15, и залить туда уксус. Будьте осторожны, начнется химическая реакция, из-за которой появятся пары. Чтобы уберечь себя от их воздействия – после заливания уксуса нельзя находиться непосредственно над сточным отверстием. После получаса воздействия, в трубу нужно залить несколько литров кипятка и подождать. Чаще всего простые засоры растворяются очень быстро.

Если проблема серьёзная и комок из волос не может растворить сода, то можно воспользоваться специальными чистящими средствами. В любом магазине продается «Крот». Это порошок, предназначенный для прочистки трубопроводов. Он состоит из серьёзных химических реагентов, поэтому способен растворять практически любые засоры (кроме минеральных). Его нужно просто засыпать в проблемный сток и после получаса смыть горячей водой.

Видео: Засор в ванной. Как устранить?

Очень эффективно устраняет запах и одновременно чистит проход для воды «Доместос». Это средство растворяет не только жировые засоры, но и волосы с грязью. Для воздействия нужно залить в трубу ванной два колпачка моющего средства и оставьте на максимально возможный промежуток времени. Лучше всего – на ночь. Утром промойте коммуникацию горячей водой. Этим методом нельзя прочистить засорившуюся трубу, если она выполнена из пластика – активные вещества могут растворить молекулы материала и со временем труба прохудится.

Как достать засор тросом

Иногда можно комочек, который послужил причиной засора в ванной, прочистить вручную.

Схема: Как работает трос

1. Нужно снять крышку, которая защищает от посторонних предметов водосточную трубу;
2. После введите в отверстие специальный сантехнический тросик. В отличие от проволоки, которая используется для унитаза, трос для трубы умывальника или ванной имеет меньший диаметр, соответственно. Он более гибкий;
3. При введении нужно постепенно вкручивать проволоку, чтобы она смогла пройти по изгибам трубопровода к месту засора;
4. Осталось проталкивать мусор к магистральной трубе. Согласно СНиП, водосток, ведущий от раковины, имеет меньший диаметр, нежели основная канализационная труба. Следовательно, если мусор попадет в большую коммуникацию, он просто без проблем пройдет и освободит трубу.

В домашних условиях мастера также пользуются тросиками с крючком на коне. Они предназначены не для того, чтобы проталкивать засор, а чтобы его доставать. Такая методика очень эффективна при закупорках, расположенных близко к поверхности слива.

Вытащить засор крючком

1. Нужно взять проволоку и загнуть её на конце;
2. Введите трос в трубопровод, легонько его прокрутите;
3. Постепенно проталкивайте его внутрь, как только почувствуете сопротивление – проверните проволоку и при помощи кончика зацепите засор.

Если нужно быстро прочистить небольшой засор в ванной, образовавшийся от волос, без вантуза не обойтись. Это универсальный инструмент, который отлично справляется c любыми типами механических загрязнений.

Схема использования вантуза

1. Наберите в раковину, ванную или душевой поддон немного воды;
2. Разместите вантуз над отверстием слива воды, после этого нажмите на него, чтобы он всосал воздух из трубопровода;
3. После этого произведите несколько движений, которые способствуют движению засора внутри трубопровода. Очень важно, когда закончите работу, резко отпустить вантуз, чтобы вода под определенным напором попала в трубопровод.

После этого можно воспользоваться подручными средствами, которые уберут с внутренней стороны трубы остатки жира и мусора.

Как прочистить сифон

Иногда проблема заключается не в засоре трубы, а в загрязнении сифона. В таком случае, требуется очистить непосредственно эту часть канализации. Перед тем, как его снять, нужно разместит под коленом емкость для сбора воды.

Фото: конструкция сифона

Используя необходимые инструменты, снимите гайку и прокладку, которые удерживают сифон на колене. При съеме из него польется вода, которая задержалась в трубе, поэтому лучше работать в латексных перчатках. После достаньте из колена мусор и промойте его моющими средствами и горячей водой, обязательно протрите ершиком трубу изнутри – это устранит из неё волосы и прочие загрязнения. Установите сифон на место.

После установки колена желательно пролить его раствором из уксуса и горячей воды – тогда устраниться неприятный запах из трубопровода. Иногда домашние мастера используют хлорку, но она разрушает материалы канализации.

90000 4 Cheap & Easy Ways to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink Without Any Nasty Chemicals «The Secret Yumiverse :: WonderHowTo 90001 90002 Oh, boy. A stopped-up drain. It’ll inevitably happen with any home plumbing system and your kitchen sink is no exception. That clog will not go away on its own and will require immediate attention to keep any standing water from rising. But you do not have to resort to calling an expensive plumber or using a bottle of hazardous chemicals.Using simple kitchen staples or common household objects, as well as some determination, you can unclog your kitchen sink on your own without paying a dime. 90003 90004 Reasons Sinks Clog 90005 90002 The biggest reason why kitchen sinks clog is because people are not mindful of what they’re throwing down the drain. Anything and everything goes, from eggshells to kitchen oils. But with such a cavalier attitude, you can either jam the garbage disposal or cause a buildup along the pipe’s walls. 90003 90008 90002 90010 Do not Miss: 90011 13 Unexpected Uses for Baking Soda You’ve Probably Never Heard Of 90003 90013 90002 Never dump grease or coffee grounds down the kitchen sink.Grease, even when run with hot water, will at some point stop and congeal. Indeed, hot water simply delays the process, pushing the future, greasy clog further down into the drainage system where it will be harder to access. As for coffee grounds, they too can lead to clogs and possible pipe cleaning. 90003 90002 The Family Handyman, which says that most clogs can be removed in minutes, advises not to overload a garbage disposal. In addition to the aforementioned grease and coffee grounds, which will solidify once settled, TFH also flags «meat; foods high in starch, like pasta, potatoes and rice; or foods high in fiber, like celery and corn husks» as no-nos for the sink.90003 90008 90002 90010 Do not Miss: 90011 6 Cheap & Easy Ways to Clean Your Garbage Disposal 90003 90013 90002 Bottom line, treat your kitchen sink with respect. Care for it in the present to avoid having to deal with big problems in the future. As said, a clogged drain is pretty much inevitable for any home, but it does not have to be an issue for long: The lesser the problem, the quicker the resolution. 90003 90004 How to Fix the Clog 90005 90002 Got it, but the water is stuck and rising — what to do ?! Experts agree that most sink clogs can be remedied through DIY and without calling for professional help.Of course, pros are the way to go if home remedies fail too many times. Too many attempts could potentially cause permanent detriment to a plumbing system. But with hope, the remedies will work before that bridge is crossed. 90003 90008 90002 90010 Do not Miss: How to Naturally Deodorize a Stinky Garbage Disposal 90011 90003 90013 90002 As for drain cleaners, they introduce hazardous chemicals into your home and emit noxious fumes, the bottles end up in landfills and threaten harm to the environment , and they can also damage the integrity of pipes.90003 90002 So this brings us to the easy, inexpensive home remedy, which like all DIY projects, can be really rewarding when you see them work. A plunger, salt, vinegar, baking soda, a metal hanger — these are all items we already have in our homes and are truly cheap if we need a new one (90039 see plunger 90040), and are the basis for each of these DIY approaches. Take a look and good luck! 90003 90042 90004 Regular Maintenance 90005 90002 Also, to further prevent your kitchen sink from clogging up again anytime soon, you can use the baking-soda-and-vinegar method as regular maintenance to keep your sink drains flowing as smoothly as possible.90003 90008 90002 90010 Do not Miss: 90011 5 DIY Methods for Unclogging a Clogged Toilet Without a Plunger 90003 90013 90002 90010 Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? 90011 Jump-start your career with our Premium A-to-Z Microsoft Excel Training Bundle from the new Gadget Hacks Shop and get lifetime access to more than 40 hours of Basic to Advanced instruction on functions, formula, tools, and more. 90003 90002 90010 Buy Now (97% off)> 90011 90003 .90000 9 Ways to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink Drain 90001 90002 DIY home projects are great for saving money and enjoying a good challenge, but these household projects are better left for professionals. 90003 90002 90005 90006 90003 90002 90003 90010 90011 Do not want the hassle of DIY’ing plumbing issues? American Home Shield can help with that! 90012 90013 90002 90003 90002 It can be a helpless feeling when the kitchen sink will not drain. With water backing up and a counter full of dirty dishes waiting to be cleaned, it may be tempting to reach for the phone and dial the plumber.Before you do, read these easy, do-it-yourself ways to unclog that drain. 90003 90018 1. Boiling water 90019 90002 This is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first. Place a kettle or pot of water on the stove and bring to a rolling boil. While you’re waiting for the water to heat, remove as much standing water from the sink as you can, using a mug or small pot to bail out the water. Then, pour the entire kettle of water into the sink and wait. If the water stands in the sink and the clog does not move, give the water time to cool and remove it to try again.You may need to repeat the process several times to move the clog, but this often works on many types of stoppage. 90003 90018 2. Disposal 90019 90002 Check to make sure it’s not your garbage disposal that’s causing the problem. A clogged disposal can stop up the drain, so run the disposal to see if that clears the clog. Then inspect it to make sure it’s running correctly. If the disposal has overheated, you may need to flip the switch found on the side or bottom of the unit underneath the sink.90003 90018 3. Salt and boiling water 90019 90002 After removing standing water from the sink, pour about ½ cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in the boiling water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then flush with hot water to clear the mixture. 90003 90018 4. Vinegar and baking soda 90019 90002 Again, remove standing water first. Pour about a cup or so of baking soda into the drain, followed by an equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution will bubble, but when they subside, put the stopper in and wait about 15 minutes.Next, run hot water to see if the clog clears. Repeat if needed. 90003 90018 5. Baking soda and salt 90019 90002 This is another combination that can work on sink clogs. Mix about a cup of baking soda with a half-cup of salt, and pour down the drain. Let the mixture sit for several hours, then flush with boiling water. You can repeat this process if it does not work the first time. 90003 90018 6. Plunger 90019 90002 If these combinations are not successful in unclogging your sink, reach for a common household plunger.If you have a double sink, first seal off the second side with a wet cloth or a stopper. You’ll need to create a tight seal around the plunger, so fill the side of the sink you intend to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge vigorously several times. When you hear the suction clear the clog, remove the plunger and flush the drain well with warm water. 90003 90018 7. P-trap 90019 90002 It may be necessary to clean your kitchen drain’s P-trap to clear the clog.The P-trap is at the curve of the drainpipe under the sink, usually inside a cabinet. Place a pan or bucket underneath the drain to catch any water or debris that may fall out. Unfasten the P-trap from the drainpipe and clear out anything that is stuck. Then replace and run water through it. 90003 90018 8. Plumber’s snake 90019 90002 Sometimes called an auger, this handy tool can clear clogs that may be stuck further down the system. You’ll have to disassemble the drainpipe and P-trap that runs underneath the kitchen sink to expose the «stub pipe» or «stubout» that travels behind the cabinet wall.This is where you insert the snake into the pipe until you feel resistance to break up the clog. 90003 90018 9. Coat hanger 90019 90002 If you do not have a plumber’s snake, you can use a wire coat hanger by straightening it. Of course, it will not reach as far as a plumber’s snake would, but it may be long enough to reach some clogs. Insert it into the kitchen drain or stub pipe to push through or pull out the clog if you can reach it. Be careful not to scratch your sink with the wire. 90003 90002 To keep your sink smelling fresh and running clear, pour in equal parts of vinegar and baking soda on a regular basis.For routine cleaning, you’ll just need about one-half cup of each. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before running some warm water down the drain. You can also use lemon juice for the same purpose. 90003 90002 Of course, it’s always easier to avoid clogs in the first place. If you have a kitchen garbage disposal, do not overload it. Feed items in a little at a time, and wait until they grind and run through completely before adding more. Never put bacon grease, coffee grounds or oils down your kitchen drain, and always make sure you run plenty of water down the drain after each use.It’s important to know how to maintain and care for your all your home’s plumbing components and systems to keep things running smoothly. 90003 90018 AHS Plumbing Coverage 90019 90002 Many plumbing issues involve stoppages and clogged drains or pipes. If all of your DIY efforts do not work, stoppages in the sink, bathtub, shower and toilets may be covered by an 90011 American Home Shield plumbing warranty 90012 depending on the cause. When you encounter a covered plumbing problem, no matter how big or how small, contact AHS for help.90003 90002 90003 90002 90003.90000 How to Unclog Drains Without Chemicals 90001 90002 90003 How to unclog drains without chemicals. Use these simple, reliable methods to clear your drains and say goodbye to plumbing bills! 90004 90005 90002 Drains are hidden heroes in your home. If you’re lucky, you can go for years without thinking about them, but when dirty sink water suddenly will not go away or a toilet will not flush, they can be a major frustration. A plugged drain certainly demands attention, but fixing it is probably something you can do yourself.You’ll get faster results than calling a pro, and you’ll save money, too. 90005 90002 Successfully unclogging drains depends on a few simple tools and knowledge of the layout of pipes hidden in your home. 90005 90002 Each drain connects with horizontal pipes that meet a vertical section of the system called the «stack.» The top of the stack goes through the roof, and acts as an air vent. The horizontal pipes travel down and out of your home, taking wastewater with them. Poor drain performance can be caused by problems in either the drain side of the equation or sometimes, the vent side.Even if water is free to flow through pipes, for proper performance the water must be replaced by air drawn into the system through the rooftop vent. 90005 90002 Certain parts of every drain system are prone to blockage, so it pays to understand where typical trouble zones might exist before an emergency arises. 90005 90002 Plugged drains are most likely to occur in three specific places: curved sections of pipes called «traps» that exist underneath sinks, tubs and showers; the internal passages within a toilet; or somewhere inside the main drainpipe leading away from your home.90005 90002 Before you spend a lot of time trying to unplug a sink or toilet, and regardless of where the blockage seems to be located, start with a simple check: Run some water down the other drains in your house. Do the others flow freely? If not, your trouble probably involves more than meets the eye and could actually be part of a systemic problem. 90005 90002 Before you try to clear what looks like a small, localized blockage, take a quick look at the big picture. You’ll either know you’re on the right track or save yourself from wasting time trying to solve the wrong problem.90005 90020 Sink, Tub or Shower Drains 90021 90002 The most likely spot for a sink drain to clog is about 6 inches below the drain opening in a section of curved pipe called the trap. It’s an essential feature of every drain, but potentially troublesome, too. Traps keep nasty (and lethal) sewer gases from wafting up into your home by retaining small amounts of water in the U-shaped bottom section. This water seals the pipe opening so gases can not sneak past. Curves of any sort in a drainpipe, especially as tight as those in a trap, encourage blockages.This is where the vast majority of sink, tub and shower blockages occur. 90005 90002 A blocked sink makes many people reach for a bottle of drain cleaner — but wait! Drain cleaning liquids are corrosive chemicals that work by dissolving the stuff that’s causing the blockage — hair, fat or built-up unidentifiable gunk. The problem is that any chemical has to be extraordinarily powerful to eat away any significant amount of this stuff, especially when the chemicals are diluted in a sink full of dirty water.Some drain cleaners are potent enough to make a superficial difference, but if they do, the blockage was probably minor in the first place. 90005 90002 It’s easy to eliminate the trouble using mechanical methods that do not endanger the finish on your sink, your health or the environment. And what happens if you try a powerful drain cleaner only to find that it does not work? Now you’ve got a caustic cocktail of chemicals in the sink that could cause damage as it splashes or drains out while you use other methods to clear the problem.90005 90002 Instead of using chemicals, start by removing any strainer that might be part of the drain plug, then reach into the drain with your fingers and pull out any solids. This is not fun, but it’s often highly effective. If this does not succeed, you need a sink plunger. 90005 90002 A sink plunger has a smooth bottom surface, as opposed to the extended lip that you’ll find on toilet plungers. With 2 or 3 inches of water in the sink to form a seal around the plunger, give the handle a few gentle pushes down and up.You’ll probably have to push harder and sharper to clear the blockage, but start gently to minimize splashes of water that could cascade out of the sink. If you’re successful, the dirty water will disappear quickly, often with a satisfying 90003 whoosh 90004. 90005 90002 Is your drain still blocked? Now is the time to work under the sink. Chances are still good that the blockage is in the trap. Grab a bucket that’s as large as you can fit underneath the trap. 90005 90036 90002 If your trap is the type with a drain plug at the bottom, remove it using a pair of slip-joint pliers.If it’s a drain-free trap (most are), use a pipe wrench to undo the threaded collars that hold the trap together. You’ll most likely be rewarded with a satisfying gush of gunky water as you remove the parts. If not, it’s time to dig deeper. Poke a flexible wire up into the drainpipe to loosen any offending gunk. Simple trap surgery of this kind usually solves the problem. If not, then the cause is further down the line. 90005 90002 Your last DIY option involves a drain snake. A drain snake (also known as a drain auger) is a long, flexible, metal device that bends around corners as you push it into a plugged drain.90005 90002 Push the snake down the clogged pipe. When you hit an obstruction, turn the crank handle and the snake chews its way through. Basic snakes cost less than $ 50 and extend about 12 feet. You can rent longer professional models, both manually operated and those connected to an electric drill. 90005 90002 If the blockage is not near enough to the sink to reach with a snake, look for other places to gain entry to the pipe. Building codes require that drain systems include clean-out ports at strategic locations.Unscrew the cover to gain access to pipes for augering. 90005 90020 Clearing a Toilet 90021 90002 Although the pipe leading from a toilet does not have a trap, the internal passages of the toilet act as a trap by holding water in the bottom of the bowl. These passages are usually where toilets get plugged. 90005 90002 Start by filling the bowl with enough water to seal around the rim of a toilet plunger. Put it in place over the opening in the bottom of the bowl, then work the plunger up and down.Go gently at first, there’s no point in sloshing filthy water around if a light touch will do the trick. Work up to a more aggressive pace if gentle plunges do not work. If this does not work and you have the option to wait, let the plugged toilet sit overnight. This sometimes softens the blockage, allowing the plunger to work even though it would not earlier. 90005 90002 If the blockage can not be dislodged by a plunger, reach for a toilet snake, which is like an ordinary drain snake except it’s covered in protective rubber to prevent scratches to the toilet bowl finish.If all these options fail, then it’s possible the blockage exists past the toilet. Shut off the water supply to the toilet, drain the tank, remove the nuts that hold the toilet to the floor and lift the toilet. The large pipe at floor level offers a good place to work a drain snake down to dislodge the blockage. 90005 90002 Is your toilet a chronically slow flusher? There are several possible causes other than a partial blockage. Your toilet could be old, it could be bad or it could be both. Mineral deposits accumulating within passages of high mileage toilets often reduce flushing action significantly after 20 or 30 years of operation.Toilet replacement is the solution. Just be sure to install a low-flow model that has a proven track record of good performance. (You can download the test results from Veritec Consulting for all the details.) The first generation of low-flow toilets never flushed properly, even when they were new. Your lazy flusher could be bad by design. 90005 90002 A blocked vent stack can also cause poor flushing because it fosters a temporary vacuum within the drainpipes. If fresh air is not allowed to replace the volume of water that moves through the pipe after a flush, then slow, ineffective action is the result.Code-compliant, plastic vent stacks rarely get plugged, but the old galvanized-metal stacks found in some homes grow progressively more plugged with rust as time passes. Eventually they close up. Try ramming a steel rod down the vent pipe from above. (You’ll need to get on the roof to do this.) Any blockage will be obvious. 90005 90002 If plunging or vent work does not solve your toilet problem, then you’ve got two options. You can call a plumber who can use a power snake to auger out the drain, or you can rent a snake and do the job yourself.Either way, rest assured that you’ve got a serious blockage that would give anyone trouble. 90005 90020 Relieving Main Drain Pain 90021 90002 If your original quick test revealed chronic clogs house-wide, or if you’ve noticed that your drains are getting slower and your house is connected to a septic system, the whole thing might be backed up. Leaching beds eventually fail because they get plugged with various material (fibers in laundry wastewater, etc.) and can not leach any more. If this happens, the main drain leading from your house fills completely with water, causing all drains to stop and back up.Blockages in drainpipes leading underground to municipal sewage systems can also cause problems that may first appear in household drains. 90005 90002 If you trace your troubles to a main drain blockage, there are three typical causes. Tree roots may have penetrated older style pipes, leading to reduced flow or complete blockage. Soap sediment could also have hardened within a dip in the pipe. Occasionally main drains also collapse due to shifting soil or compaction, though this is rare. 90005 90002 Plumbing codes require a clean-out port to be located in the main drain just before it leaves your house.As you open this, be prepared for a flood. If the main drain is blocked, it could be holding back significant water in the pipes of your home. Get ready to catch it with tubs, garbage cans or several large buckets. 90005 90002 With the main cleanout open, start work by feeding a manual or power-driven drain snake into the pipe to see if it will clear the blockage. Main drains can be quite long, so make sure you’re properly equipped. If you find that soap sediment was the cause, consider switching to a liquid laundry detergent.They do not settle out like laundry powders sometimes do in the stagnant dips present in some main drains. 90005 90002 There’s nothing fun about unclogging a drain, except for the feeling of success when you’re done. You’ll be satisfied to know you saved time and money, and confident you’ll be able to handle the next clog. 90005 90071 90020 The Problem with Garbage Disposals 90021 90002 You may want to think twice about installing or using an in-sink garbage disposal in your kitchen. Garbage disposals operate by chopping up food waste and washing it down the drain, but there are three reasons why you should not do this.90005 90002 The first has to do with closing the nutrient loop. The organic matter that enters your home should be returned to your soil where it can enhance plant growth. Diverting vegetable scraps into a household compost bin is a better option than sending scraps and peelings down a garbage disposal. 90005 90002 The second reason is the issue of sewage overload. Whether your house is hooked up to a septic system or a municipal sanitary sewer, the added strain of the organic matter from a garbage disposal really adds up.All that extra material was never meant to be dealt with in wastewater. 90005 90002 And third, sending chopped food waste down the drain increases the odds your pipes will become clogged! 90005 90071 90020 The Truth about Septic Tank Additives 90021 90002 Every so often I get a phone call from a friendly telemarketer offering an additive that promises to save money by eliminating the need to have my septic system pumped out. There are many similar products that promise wonderful, hidden benefits for the microbes living in a septic system, too.In all cases, I smile and say, «No, thanks.» I know how a septic system works, and no additive is going to improve things or rectify problems. 90005 90002 Your septic system is nothing but a tank connected to perforated pipes buried in the ground. As long as normal sewage goes in and the effluent is free to drain out of the perforations in the pipes, your septic system will work just fine. Regular pump-outs are necessary because a small portion of sewage entering the tank is always indigestible.As it settles to the bottom of the tank in the form of sludge, it slowly reduces tank capacity. This is the reason septic systems need to be pumped out every two or three years. No additive can make insoluble things soluble, and it’ll lead to trouble if you think otherwise. If you follow the advice of the folks who tell you that pump-outs can be eliminated, you’ll have sludge washing into your perforated pipes, clogging them and ruining your septic system’s drain field. 90005 90071 90002 90003 Steve Maxwell is tough on clogs, but has a reputation as an extremely nice guy.90004 90005 90071 90002 90003 Contributing Editor 90004 Steve Maxwell 90003 has been helping people renovate, build and maintain their homes for more than two decades. «Canada’s Handiest Man» is an award-winning home improvement authority and woodworking expert. Contact him by visiting 90004 his website 90003 and the blog 90004, Maxwell’s House. 90003 You also can follow him on 90004 Twitter 90003, like him on 90004 Facebook 90003 and find him on 90004 Google+ 90003. 90004 90005 .90000 No Plunger, No Problem: How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger 90001 90002 Getting a full eight hours of sleep can be tough these days. If you’re having trouble catching enough Zzzs, consider giving these highly rated and recommended products a try. 90003 90004 1. Everlasting Comfort Pure Memory Foam Knee Pillow; $ 25 90005 90002 For side sleepers, keeping the spine, hips, and legs aligned is key to a good night’s rest-and a pain-free morning after. Everlasting Comfort’s memory foam knee pillow is ergonomically designed to fit between the knees or thighs to ensure proper alignment.One simple but game-changing feature is the removable strap, which you can fasten around one leg; this keeps the pillow in place even as you roll at night, meaning you do not have to wake up to adjust it (or pick it up from your floor). Reviewers call the pillow «life-changing» and «the best knee pillow I’ve found.» Plus, it comes with two pairs of ear plugs. 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 2. Letsfit White Noise Machine; $ 21 90005 90002 White noise machines: They’re not just for babies! This Letsfit model-which is rated 4.7 out of five with nearly 3500 reviews-has 14 potential sleep soundtracks, including three white noise tracks, to better block out everything from sirens to birds that chirp enthusiastically at dawn (although there’s 90015 also 90016 a birds track, if that’s your thing) . It also has a timer function and a night light. 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 3. ECLIPSE Blackout Curtains; $ 16 90005 90002 According to the National Sleep Foundation, too much light in a room when you’re trying to snooze is a recipe for sleep disaster.These understated polyester curtains from ECLIPSE block 99 percent of light and reduce noise-plus, they’ll help you save on energy costs. «Our neighbor leaves their backyard light on all night with what I can only guess is the same kind of bulb they use on a train headlight. It shines across their yard, through ours, straight at our bedroom window,» one Amazon reviewer who purchased the curtains in black wrote. «These drapes block the light completely.» 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 4.JALL Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock; $ 38 90005 90002 Being jarred awake by a blaring alarm clock can set the wrong mood for the rest of your day. Wake up in a more pleasant way with this clock, which gradually lights up between 10 percent and 100 percent in the 30 minutes before your alarm. You can choose between seven different colors and several natural sounds as well as a regular alarm beep, but why would you ever use that? «Since getting this clock my sleep has been much better,» one reviewer reported.»I wake up not feeling tired but refreshed.» 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 5. Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light; $ 200 90005 90002 If you’re looking for an alarm clock with even more features, Philips’s SmartSleep Wake-Up Light is smartphone-enabled and equipped with an AmbiTrack sensor, which tracks things like bedroom temperature, humidity, and light levels, then gives recommendations for how you can get a better night’s rest. 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 6.Slumber Cloud Stratus Sheet Set; $ 159 90005 90002 Being too hot or too cold can kill a good night’s sleep. The Good Housekeeping Institute rated these sheets-which are made with Outlast fibers engineered by NASA-as 2020’s best temperature-regulating sheets. 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 SlumberCloud 90003 90004 7. Comfort Space Coolmax Sheet Set; $ 29- $ 40 90005 90002 If $ 159 sheets are out of your price range, the GHI recommends these sheets from Comfort Spaces, which are made with moisture-wicking Coolmax microfiber.Depending on the size you need, they range in price from $ 29 to $ 40. 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 8. Coop Home Goods Eden Memory Foam Pillow; $ 80 90005 90002 This pillow-which has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon-is filled with memory foam scraps and microfiber, and comes with an extra half-pound of fill so you can add, or subtract, the amount in the pillow for ultimate comfort. As a bonus, the pillows are hypoallergenic, mite-resistant, and washable. 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 9.Baloo Weighted Blanket; $ 149- $ 169 90005 90002 Though the science is still out on weighted blankets, some people swear by them. Wirecutter named this Baloo blanket the best, not in small part because, unlike many weighted blankets, it’s machine-washable and -dryable. It’s currently available in 12-pound ($ 149) twin size and 20-pound ($ 169) queen size. It’s rated 4.7 out of five stars on Amazon, with one reviewer reporting that «when it’s spread out over you it just feels like a comfy, snuggly hug for your whole body … I’ve found it super relaxing for falling asleep the last few nights , and it looks nice on the end of the bed, too.»90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90004 10. Philips Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band; $ 200 90005 90002 Few things can disturb your slumber-and that of the ones you love-like loudly sawing logs. Philips’s Smartsleep Snoring Relief Band is designed for people who snore when they’re sleeping on their backs, and according to the company, 86 percent of people who used the band reported reduced snoring after a month. The device wraps around the torso and is equipped with a sensor that delivers vibrations if it detects you moving to sleep on your back; those vibrations stop when you roll onto your side.The next day, you can see how many hours you spent in bed, how many of those hours you spent on your back, and your response rate to the vibrations. The sensor has an algorithm that notes your response rate and tweaks the intensity of vibrations based on that. «This device works exactly as advertised,» one Amazon reviewer wrote. «I’d say it’s perfect.» 90003 90002 90009 Buy it: 90010 Amazon 90003 90002 90015 This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. Mental Floss may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.90016 90003 .