Vancouver Drain Cleaning, How to Unclog a Bathroom Drain.

If you have a clogged sink you may have discovered there is a lot of online advice. Unfortunately I would say most of it isn't worth the time and other than lucking out with a plunger, you will probably have to get in there and manually remove the clog.

I have tried a couple of the more popular methods with varying success. Here is a review of them followed by my recommendation to use the right tool for the job.

• Method #1 - Pour 1/4 cup of vinegar and let stand for 20 min: This failed me horribly. I would be shocked if it cleared the easiest blockage.

•  Method #2 - Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda, then chase it with 1/2 cup of vinegar and let stand: This failed as well. I tried this on a blocked sink and it seemed to actually make the problem worse.
  
  
• Method #3 - Pour boiling water into the sink: I didn't risk trying this one. Bathroom sinks and toilets are usually made of vitreous china which may crack under extreme temperature change. This has the potential to cause a lot of damage. 

• Method #4 - Use a coat hanger to remove the blockage: This honestly does work if the blockage is hair stuck on the drain lever of a pop up drain. If the blockage is any deeper your probably going to have to spring for the $10 dollars to buy a sink auger from Home Depot. 

 My Suggestion: A more reliable method to unclog a bathroom sink is to actually remove the plug and auger the drain, because the clog is probably hair which will need to be removed manually.

1. Firstly please put on some gloves; drains are unsanitary.
   
   
2. Remove the standing water from the sink (you could use a sponge).
   
   
3. Place a bucket under the trap in case it needs to be removed later.
   
   
4. Remove the plug. If it is a pop-up plug, reach under the sink and undo the nut on the back of the drain assemble. (If there is hair stuck on the pop-up lever, remove it)
   
   
5. Feed the auger down the drain by pulling out a short length of cable, tightening the thumb screw then turning the auger handle clockwise while gently pushing the cable downward. You may need to wiggle the auger back and forth to get it past the trap.
   
   
6. Keep working the auger into the drainage until you feel you have reached the clog and the handle resists turning. Then retract the snake while turning the handle counter clockwise trapping hair. (Sometimes it is hard to work the auger past the P-trap and you may need to remove it. Remove the trap, making sure the bucket is below to catch debris. Then work the auger into the open drainage as previously described.)

This method, admittedly, is more involved than pouring vinegar down your drain but also a lot more likely to work. It's hard to achieve effective, lasting results if using gimmicky fixes in lieu of doing the job properly. Spend the extra time to get the best results.

Watermark Plumbing - Vancouver

How to Hire a Vancouver or Burnaby Plumber.

Do you need a Vancouver or Burnaby plumber but aren't sure who to call? I suggest you spend a little time looking into it, you will probably save yourself a fair bit of money and a huge headache. It's possible the wrong contractor could do more harm than good. Asking a couple informed questions might help you find the Vancouver plumber that is the best fit for you.

• Ask a family member, friend or neighbor for a referral. If they had a good experience with a contractor chances are you will too. What's better than a testimonial from someone you know.

• Determine what type of plumbing contractor you need. Many plumbers focus on either construction, service, and or heating. A construction contractor may not be the best choice if you require someone to make a service call. 

• Inquire about their rates and compare their prices to equally qualified competitors. Ask them if there are additional charges besides their hourly or flat rate. Many companies charge travel time, miscellaneous, and gas charges. Some companies won't mention hidden costs until they give you the bill.
  

• Make sure the plumber is licensed and insured. If they don't have a business license and coverage but are operating as a professional contractor that should be a red flag. 

•  Establish what qualifies the plumber as a professional. Vancouver and Burnaby plumbers should be Red Seal Ticketed Journeymen and their helpers should be enrolled in an apprenticeship program. Sometimes companies will send an apprentice with little experience to do work that is beyond their knowledge but still charge you the same price.

Don't pick your plumber randomly out of the yellow pages based on the biggest ad or the best price. Your plumber should be qualified and willing to discuss reasonable questions and concerns you have about the job. If they are not, you should probably continue your search until you find a plumber that is.

Watermark Plumbing - Vancouver

Vancouver Water Heater - Does anybody really flush their hot water tank?

     If you live in a Vancouver or Burnaby home then chances are you have a hot water tank. Have you ever drained and flushed your water heater? I don't think so, but if you have my hats off to you. Dollars to doughnuts most people wouldn't think twice about their tank unless it interfered with their morning shower.

None the less you really are recommended to drain and flush your tank as part of regular scheduled maintenance suggested by the manufacturer. The reason for this size-able request is to keep your tank running swimmingly by removing foreign sediment. This debris can cause unruly noise, inefficiency and may reduce the overall lifespan of the water heater. Since replacing a water heater is a financial burden most of us would like to avoid, maintenance is not a bad idea but there are a few considerations.

You want to bear in mind the age of your water heater and if it has been sitting undisturbed collecting a substantial layer of sediment on the bottom of the tank. This could make draining it problematic. Too much sediment could clog the hose bib and make re-closing it difficult. Trying to unclog a tank full of scalding water by putting a wire up through the hose bib has the potential to be dangerous. If the hose bib needs to replaced and is made of plastic may it could snap leaving the threads behind.

Choosing to drain and flush your tank is a good idea if you have assessed your fixture and feel comfortable doing it. It would be best to start the scheduled maintenance if your water heater is new, but if it is an older tank that has never been maintained it might be better left alone.

Watermark Plumbing - Vancouver