How To Remove Stones From Drain
Having a clogged drain is a problem that every home will experience at some point, especially in older homes. While clogs are an inconvenience and can be messy, they aren’t normally a serious health hazard unless you have other plumbing problems as well. However, the presence of an old or damaged drain can also indicate a larger plumbing issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. If your sink or tub drains are slow to drain or if you get a little water left behind after draining the sink, it could mean that there is some sort of blockage in your pipes.
Stones and other small objects can build up over time as residue from cleaning products, hair, and anything else that might fit down the drain. If these don’t get cleared out regularly with an occasional plunger session, they can eventually cause problems like clogs and backups.
Try a Drain Snake
A drain snake is a long flexible piece of metal that is designed to be inserted into your drain to break up clogs and remove debris. When purchasing a snake, make sure to get one that is the right diameter for your pipes so you don’t end up with a stuck snake that’s too big to remove. When using a drain snake, make sure the water is turned off and the snake is inserted far enough so that you don’t bend the pipe out of shape and break it off in the wall. Some snakes are designed with a rotating head that can help break up stubborn clogs and is easier to use than the standard rigid snake. If you have a tree root clog, a drain snake won’t work. In this case, you’ll probably need to call a professional to have the root removed. Roots can extend a long way, reaching from a nearby tree’s shallow root system to your plumbing.
Clear With Chemical Drain Cleaner
If you don’t want to tear your pipes open with a drain snake, you can also try a chemical drain cleaner to break up clogs. Look for one that is designed for use in the kitchen sink or bath tub and make sure to carefully follow the instructions for dosage and application. Once the clog is cleared, you’ll probably want to follow up by using a plunger to make sure that nothing is left behind to cause a clog again. For drains that have a high risk of clogging, you can also consider installing a drain snake or drain auger in the wall of your house to keep your main drain clear.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
You can use baking soda and vinegar to break down clogs that are made of organic material like hair and small bits of food. Pour some baking soda down the drain, followed by white vinegar. Let the solution sit for a few hours and then pour boiling water down the drain to clear out the clog and rinse the solution away. If you use this method frequently, you may want to invest in a sink cleaner that includes baking soda and vinegar to make it easier to clean the drain.
Learn How to Snipe a Stone
If you have a stone in your drain, there’s a good chance that you can simply snipe the stone with a special stone removal tool to break it up and then flush it down the drain. While this method is easy and safe, it can only be used with smaller stones. If you don’t have a stone removal tool, you can use a plumber’s wrench or a large pipe wrench. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when doing this so you don’t get hurt by flying debris or broken pieces of stone.
Conclusion
A clogged drain is annoying, but it’s also an easy problem to solve. Make sure to clean out your drains regularly so that small clogs don’t have a chance to become big ones. If your drain is already clogged and you don’t have the tools or experience to clear it yourself, call a professional plumber. A clog can be a sign of a more serious plumbing problem if it happens repeatedly in the same drain. Look for signs that your plumbing is old or damaged, including slow drains and clogs that won’t go away, so you can have it checked out by a professional before it gets worse.
