Fairfax County VA Home Search Website Blog

If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t spend much time thinking about the drains in your Alexandria VA home until they stop working.  Clogged drains are never pleasant, but ignoring the problem only makes matters worse.

Here are fixes to two of the most common drain problems owners of Alexandria VA homes encounter:

How to Fix a Clogged Toilet

Unfortunately, clogged toilets are a fact of life.  Here are some quick tips on how to get your toilet flowing freely:

• Stop flushing because it will overflow.
• Bail out.  If the toilet is almost overflowing, get a buck and bail out the water until the toilet bowl is only half full.  This will drastically reduce the mess.
• Plunge.  Line the edge of the plunger’s cup with petroleum jelly to create a tight seal.  Insert the plunger at an angle to prevent air from being trapped under the cup.  Using a good amount of force, pump the plunger several times.  Pull the plunger forcefully upwards.  If the water disappears down the toilet, the clog is gone!
• Repeat.  Keep plunging until the clog is dislodged.
• Add water and flush.  Once the clog is gone, use a bucket to pour water into the toilet and flush it.  Do this several times to be sure the toilet bowl empties each time.

If you’ve plunged several times, and the toilet is still clogged, it’s probably time to get a drain snake or call a plumber.

How to Fix a Clogged Double-Bowl Sink

Fixing a clog in a single bowl sink is as basic as filling the bowl halfway with water then plunging until the clog is loosened.

A clog in a double-bowl sink is slightly trickier to fix.

• Plug one side of the double sink.  Use a stopper or stuff a wet rag into the opening.  If it’s a bath sink, stuff a rag into the overflow hole. In both cases, the rag or plug helps deliver the pressure directly to the clog.
• Plunge the other side of the double sink.  Place a sink plunger into the other side of the sink. Make a tight seal in the drain with the plunger.  When you release the suction the drain should clear.  Repeat if the clog isn’t cleared.
• Call the plumber.  If the clog isn’t cleared, it may be time to call the plumber.

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Steve Hawkins
Long and Foster REALTORS®
Springfield, Virginia
www.HomeSearchWebsite.com
Steve@HomeSearchWebsite.com
703-909-3939