Q&A Novice (5 pts.)
I'll vote for Fahrenheit Plumbing as the worst plumber in Orlando (based on reviews I've read)
The first step in unblocking a bathtub drain is to look at it and see if you can see what's blocking it. In bathtubs, often a build up of hair and scuzzy soap scum can actually close up a drain. If you can see hair in the bottom of the drain, you can often just reach in and pull the clog out. Since that's not a lot of fun, you might want to try bending a wire coat hanger to hook onto the clog to pull it out. Alternatively a pair of tweezers might work, or even a pair of needle nose pliers. If you can't see the clog to pull it out, your next step is to try plunging the drain. A plumber's helper - plunger to some of us - didn't get its name without good reason, and it is one of the first tools a pro would use to clear a blocked drain. Put enough water in the bathtub or sink to cover the bottom of the plunger, block the overflow outlet with a rag, put the plunger over the drain, and push down and up five or six times. The pressure should clear any clog and open up the pipe. Lift up the plunger and the water should quickly drain away. If it doesn't, try plunging again - you might have just moved the blockage down the pipe where it got stuck again. Note: On some bathtubs the drain stopper is attached to the overflow plate. In order to plunge the drain, you need to remove the overflow plate and the drain mechanism. The overflow plate is usually held in place by two screws, and after you remove them, you can gently remove the overflow plate and the drain mechanism at the same time. A plumber's snake. If a plunger won't clear a blockage, a "snake" - a long flexible steel cable wound on a handle - is the next level of escalation. In a sink you just feed the snake down the drain, but on a bathtub you need to feed the snake down through the overflow plate opening. Start by feeding about 3 feet of the snake into the opening, turning it as you push it forward. You will feel some resistance as you work the snake through the trap under the drain, and the turning helps to move the head through the trap. The snake should either break up the clog by pushing its way through it, or your turning will hook the end of the snake onto the clog and you can pull it out. Once the snake is through the trap, move the cable back and forth through the drainpipe while still turning it. You may actually feel the clog when the snake hits it. Try running some water down the drain while moving the snake in the drain. If the clog is gone, the drain will run free. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times to get the drain cleared out, since some clogs are more persistent than others. What About Chemicals? Some people think using chemicals to clear a drain is an option. However, any chemicals that will dissolve a clog (usually grease based) are highly caustic and damaging to the environment. No professional will ever use a chemical to clear a drain for exactly those reasons. Keeping Drains Clear Clearing a blocked drain isn't a lot of fun. It's much better to prevent a clog from happening in the first place. Here's some tips on how you can keep your bathtub drains free flowing. Use strainers in all your drains to stop hair from going down the drain. It's easier to clear out a strainer once a month than unblock a drain every six. Don't just drop small pieces of soap down the drain assuming they will dissolve and wash away. That's how soap builds up in a drain. Once a month, pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. This will melt any grease (body oil) and wash it away before it can build up. (Don't do this in a toilet; the boiling water could crack the porcelain). Every three months or so, pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain then slowly add a half cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit in the drain for a few minutes and then rinse it away by running lots of hot water down the drain. This will not only keep your drains free running, but clean smelling as well.
Blockages are mainly caused by hair being washed down plugholes in bathroom appliances. Larger debris blocks the kitchen sink and often the blockage is due to a build up of grease or fat in the pipe. Both these type of blockage build up gradually and the flow of water leaving the appliance becomes slower and slower. This is because the inside of the pipe is becoming increasingly smaller as the deposits build up over time. Regular use of chemical drain cleaners will help keep the waste system clear and smelling fresh, but remember to follow the instructions carefully.
If one of the appliances fails to empty when all the others do, the blockage must be in the vicinity of its branch pipes. Try using a sink plunger, remembering to block off the overflow with some wet rags. Make sure there is enough water to in the appliance to cover the cup of the plunger. Plunge vigorously for several seconds and then repeat the process until the blockage clears. Flush the pipes with clean water to remove any debris and disinfect to freshen and cleanse the area.
If the method fails try using a hand operated hydraulic pump. Block off the overflow with wet rags and fill the pump with water. Hold the nozzle over the outlet and a downward action on the tool forces a powerful water jet along the pipe to dislodge or disperse the blockage. If it still appears blocked, keep the tool in position and apply an upward stroke to create sufficient suction to dislodge the blockage. If the method fails the trap needs clearing. The trap is situated below the waste outlet. It is a bent tube, which is designed to hold water in order to prevent odours from the drain entering the room.
Brass or lead U traps
Old-style U traps are generally made of brass or lead and must be handled with care to avoid damage. Place a bucket or bowl underneath and using a wrench unscrew the cleansing eye at the bottom of the trap. Use a rod or bent coathanger to wire out any debris remaining. Rinse the sink with water to remove all debris from the trap. Clean the thread of the clearing eye, and before replacing, wrap some PTFE tape around it to prevent leaks. Run water through the system to check the connections are watertight.
Plastic U traps
Plastic U traps do not have clearing eyes, so it will be necessary to remove the trap. There are lock nuts either side of the trap, which should be unscrewed to release the trap. If they are reluctant in moving, try applying boiling water over the top, remember to have a bowl or bucket below. Before replacing wrap some PTFE tape around the locknut threads to prevent leaks. Run water through the system to check the connections are watertight.
Bottle traps
Bottle traps are the easiest traps to clear because the whole base of the trap can be unscrewed by hand. Once the debris has been removed from the trap, use a rod or metal coathanger to probe the wastepipe for any residue. Rinse the trap thoroughly and cleanse with disinfectant. Before replacing wrap some PTFE tape around the cover thread to prevent leaks. Run water through the system to check the connections are watertight.
While a rare occasion, a clogged waste vent pipe will cause a slow or even fully clogged waste line. It is suggested that a professional plumber obtain access to the roof where they will proceed to snake the vent pipe.
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Orlando Pipe Doctor Plumbing, Heating & Drain Cleaing, Inc.
7612 Forest City Road,  
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AAA Construction and Restoration Services
10925 sw 129 terrace,
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7075 Cross Country Road,
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Who is the Worst Plumbing Service Company in Orlando, FL?
"I'll vote for Fahrenheit Plumbing as the worst plumber in Orlando (based on reviews I've read)"
How does one clean a shower trap?
"The first step in unblocking a bathtub drain is to look at it and see if you can see what's blocking it. In bathtubs, often a build up of hair and scuzzy soap scum can actually close up a drain. If you can see hair in the bottom of the drain, you can often just reach in and pull the clog out. Since that's not a lot of fun, you might want to try bending a wire coat hanger to hook onto the clog to pull it out. Alternatively a pair of tweezers might work, or even a pair of needle nose pliers. If you can't see the clog to pull it out, your next step is to try plunging the drain. A plumber's helper - plunger to some of us - didn't get its name without good reason, and it is one of the first tools a pro would use to clear a blocked drain. Put enough water in the bathtub or sink to cover the bottom of the plunger, block the overflow outlet with a rag, put the plunger over the drain, and push down and up five or six times. The pressure should clear any clog and open up the pipe. Lift up the plunger and the water should quickly drain away. If it doesn't, try plunging again - you might have just moved the blockage down the pipe where it got stuck again. Note: On some bathtubs the drain stopper is attached to the overflow plate. In order to plunge the drain, you need to remove the overflow plate and the drain mechanism. The overflow plate is usually held in place by two screws, and after you remove them, you can gently remove the overflow plate and the drain mechanism at the same time. A plumber's snake. If a plunger won't clear a blockage, a "snake" - a long flexible steel cable wound on a handle - is the next level of escalation. In a sink you just feed the snake down the drain, but on a bathtub you need to feed the snake down through the overflow plate opening. Start by feeding about 3 feet of the snake into the opening, turning it as you push it forward. You will feel some resistance as you work the snake through the trap under the drain, and the turning helps to move the head through the trap. The snake should either break up the clog by pushing its way through it, or your turning will hook the end of the snake onto the clog and you can pull it out. Once the snake is through the trap, move the cable back and forth through the drainpipe while still turning it. You may actually feel the clog when the snake hits it. Try running some water down the drain while moving the snake in the drain. If the clog is gone, the drain will run free. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times to get the drain cleared out, since some clogs are more persistent than others. What About Chemicals? Some people think using chemicals to clear a drain is an option. However, any chemicals that will dissolve a clog (usually grease based) are highly caustic and damaging to the environment. No professional will ever use a chemical to clear a drain for exactly those reasons. Keeping Drains Clear Clearing a blocked drain isn't a lot of fun. It's much better to prevent a clog from happening in the first place. Here's some tips on how you can keep your bathtub drains free flowing. Use strainers in all your drains to stop hair from going down the drain. It's easier to clear out a strainer once a month than unblock a drain every six. Don't just drop small pieces of soap down the drain assuming they will dissolve and wash away. That's how soap builds up in a drain. Once a month, pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain. This will melt any grease (body oil) and wash it away before it can build up. (Don't do this in a toilet; the boiling water could crack the porcelain). Every three months or so, pour a half cup of baking soda in the drain then slowly add a half cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit in the drain for a few minutes and then rinse it away by running lots of hot water down the drain. This will not only keep your drains free running, but clean smelling as well."
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