When you have a clogged toilet or clogged sink, there are only a few things you can do to avoid calling a plumber. Unfortunately, sometimes these things don’t work, and you have to call a plumber anyway. When that happens, you want to be prepared with a list of common plumbing techniques to get your drains flowing again. No matter what kind of home you have or where you live, these basics will come in handy whenever a clogged toilet or sink becomes an emergency. If you don’t know what any of these terms mean or how to use them, don’t worry -- this guide will give you some context so you can be prepared if this ever happens to you. We’ve collected information about plumbing terminology and common plumbing techniques from multiple websites to make this article as comprehensive as possible for everyone who’s interested in learning more about this stuff.Now, let’s take a look at some common plumbing techniques that might come in handy if you find yourself with a clogged toilet or sink one day…
Hook-up vs. Shutoff?
Before we get into the details of common plumbing techniques, let’s talk about a couple of terms that are commonly used in connection with drains. The first is called a shutoff. A flush valve is a type of shutoff that you commonly find at the bottom of a toilet bowl. It regulates the amount of water that flows into the toilet bowl from a pipe referred to as a waste (or main) pipe. The second term is hook-up. This refers to the connection between the toilet’s waste pipe and the main pipe.There are two main types of shutoff that you may encounter: a globe (or globe-style) and a plug (or plug-style). This guide will focus on the plug-style shutoff. The plug-style shutoff is the most common type of shutoff found in a home. The globe-style shutoff is sometimes referred to as the ball-style shutoff, which is actually a type of plug-style shutoff.
Hydrocleaning
Hydrocleaning is the name given to cleaning pipe systems with pressurized water. This is a technique that can be used to dissolve and remove substances like scale deposits, biological growth, and debris that build up in pipes. Hydrocleaning can be performed with a specialized hydrocleaning machine or a power washer with a pressure hose attachment.
Blowout
Blowout is a technique that’s used to remove large and stubborn clogs. Blowout kits are commonly used to remove toilet clogs by using pressurized air to propel a toilet clog into the main sewer line.Blowouts are usually performed by a plumber in a sewer main near the street. They are usually done with a blow-out gun that shoots pressurized water from the sewer line into the clogged toilet.
J-Hook
A J-Hook is a device that is used to remove debris from a toilet’s trap, a pipe that is located underneath the toilet’s bowl near the floor. A J-Hook has a long arm with a hook on the end that is used to pry open the trap and remove debris from the trap.J-Hooks are commonly used in commercial restrooms where there is a higher risk of clogged traps. Trap cleaners are another common device used to remove debris from a toilet’s trap.
Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners are devices that are used to clear obstructions and remove debris from pipes. They are commonly used to clear sludges, hair, and other debris that can clog a home’s drains.There are three different types of drains that you can use a drain cleaner on: P-shaped drains, U-shaped drains, and S-shaped drains.P-shaped drains have a bend in them that makes it easy to trap debris as it flows out of the home’s drains. U-shaped drains have an open end that makes it easy to trap debris. S-shaped drains have two bends in them that make it easy to trap debris.
Diverter
A diverter is a device that is placed in the main sewer line to divert the flow of sewage away from a specific section of the home. A diverter can be used to divert the flow of sewage away from a toilet in a bathroom or from a kitchen sink so it won’t back up into other areas of the home.Diverters are commonly used to divert the flow of sewage during a plumbing project. They are also commonly used to divert sewage away from a home that has a septic tank.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of our list of common plumbing techniques. It’s important to remember that these techniques may not always be effective. They can also be expensive and inconvenient.In some cases, it may be necessary to call for professional help. If this happens, make sure to be prepared with these common plumbing techniques. You never know when you might find yourself dealing with a clogged toilet or sink.If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to handle most common plumbing issues without having to call a plumber. And you’ll also be able to avoid the stress, hassle, and cost of a trip to the emergency room.