· 3 min read
A slow bathroom sink: the ten-minute fix
Bathroom sinks slow down because of hair and soap around the pop-up stopper, a few inches down. Here is how the stopper comes out, and how to clean it so the drain runs like new.
Clogs and drains
Kitchen sinks, garbage disposals, tubs and toilets, and the aging sewer lines under many Bergen County streets. Most clogs are yours to clear; some are not.
Kitchen drains block with grease, bathroom drains with hair, and toilets with things that should never have gone in them. Each has its own tool, and none of them is a bottle of chemicals.
The right tool for the clog
- Bathroom sink or tub: a plastic hair-removal strip, then a hand snake
- Kitchen sink: a flat plunger, then the trap, then a snake
- Toilet: a flange plunger, then a toilet auger, never a regular snake
- Garbage disposal: the hex key, from underneath, with the power off
When it is the main line
Several drains slow at once, gurgling, or water rising in the basement floor drain or the lowest shower: the blockage is in the main sewer line. Stop running water and call a plumber. In the older parts of Bergen County, clay and cast iron sewer lines from the mid-century are reaching the end of their lives, and roots from street trees are the usual culprits.
What this topic covers
- Clearing a clog with a plunger, a snake or neither
- Toilets that run, rock or refuse to flush
- Tree roots and other main line trouble
Common questions
The sink is blocked and I already poured drain cleaner in. Now what?
Do not plunge, because it splashes caustic liquid. Wait for it to drain if it will, flush with plenty of water, and tell the plumber what you used before they start.
Tree roots keep blocking my sewer line. What are the options?
Cutting the roots out clears the line for a year or two. Lining or replacing the pipe solves it permanently. A camera inspection shows how bad the pipe is, and a plumber can then quote both options.
Tips on this topic
· 3 min read
How to unclog a toilet without making a mess
The right plunger, the right technique, and a toilet auger for the stubborn ones. Most blocked toilets are cleared in a few minutes, and none of it needs chemicals.
· 3 min read
A sewer line camera inspection: what it shows, what it costs, and when it is worth it
A plumber's camera runs from the house to the street and shows the state of the sewer line. For an older Bergen County house it is the cheapest way to avoid the most expensive repair.
· 3 min read
Garbage disposal problems: humming, jammed, leaking or smelly
Most disposal faults are cleared with the hex key that came with it and a little patience. Here is what each symptom means, how to fix it safely, and when the unit is finished.
Need a professional?
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