How to Unclog a pipe

There are a multitude of solutions to unclog a pipe: ferret, vacuum, chemical unblocker ...Find the method that suits your needs and follow the instructions for each of these cases.

Opens with the suction pipe

The timeless cup

Place your cup on evacuation. Press firmly. The suction causes a suction effect. Repeat the process several times and dried movements. This operation is the simplest.Sometimes it is sufficient to unlock the plug that clogs your pipes. Go to the next step if the cup is not enough.

Blocked drain: the Ram Chemical

Various objects (scraps, crumbs ...), hair, soap pieces fall into the sink, wash basin, shower ... Try the Ram Chemical. Put on gloves household. Empty the Ram chemical directly into the exhaust port. Let stand at least 24 h. Rinse and thoroughly clean your bathtub, sink, sink before using it for your personal use. If this method does not lead to a pipeline, or try to disassemble your ferret trap.

Unclogging a pipe: Remove the siphon

Disassemble the trap

The blocked drain unblocker resisted the chemical and the cup. Remove your siphon with pliers. Place a bucket under your sink or sink. Thoroughly clean the trap and your drain.Take the opportunity to change the seal if necessary.

Clogged pipe: plugs visit

Watch your drain pipes. There are caps visit at the edges of horizontal lines. Unscrew one of them to try to unblock your blocked drain with a wire thick. Otherwise use a hanger to dry. You take it apart and bend one end. You have in hand a cheap instrument for unclogging a drain.

Use a lead pipe ferret

The ferret is the tool "lead pipe" ideal. It consists of a long stem and flexible force peaks at the tip to pierce the caps. It is the last option when all previous attempts have failed. Push the rod in your pipe after your disassembled trap. Turn the wire and pull toward you the elements of the cap. Repeat the exercise until you feel resistance.

How to bleed a radiator

Before you restart your heating, purging of radiators. This simple procedure eliminates the air bubbles trapped in the central-heating system and improves the functioning of it.

Flush the radiator: cut the water supply

Purging is required when the heat radiators gurgle or when little or no at the top. Note that they do not heat the bottom, the problem is different and the purge will rarely effective. Indeed, it is rather a question of balancing and circulator. It is better to speak to the technician responsible for the maintenance of your boiler, remember, is now mandatory once a year.

The most recent installations, the last thirty years, are equipped with a trap, often automatically installed directly on the boiler . Many radiators also have steam traps that do not require intervention. It is not necessary to purge all radiators . The air accumulates in those located in the end network or on the top floor.

See our fact Changing a radiator valve .

How to bleed a radiator

Central heating should be stopped. This means that the pump (pump boiler) should no longer operate. The easiest way is to adjust the boiler to position "was". The ideal is to wait until the radiators are cold . Otherwise, proceed with caution so as not to scald you.

At the top of the radiator is a valve, single or with a thermostatically controlled. The bleed screw is at the other end. According to the model, it is a small brass wheel or some sort of bolt hollow hexagonal shape. To operate the wheel lock pliers enough.For the bolt, it takes a special key butterfly.

Flush the radiator: expel the air

Place a container under the drain plug

Place your pan under the bleed screw. Unlock it a quarter turn, then very slowly until you hear a hissing sound very clearly. After a few moments, the trap also spits water.Leave the drain open again a few seconds and then close it.

Stick to tighten by hand, gently, as you would for a standard faucet. If a small pearl drop after closing, it does not matter.However, if the flow is continuous, so you must force to stop it, it is necessary to replace the drain. Talk to your plumber.

See also our fact sheet: Thermostatic Valve: equip and save .

Bleed radiators: restoring pressure

Partial draining of the central-heating system has broken down the pressure inside the circuit. It is therefore necessary to restore it by adding water. The fill valve is usually below or near the boiler. Open it carefully and watch the gauge on the dashboard of the boiler. Stop filling and close the valve when the needle reaches 1 bar.

NB : If you repeat the operation several times during the same period of heating, suspect the existence of a leak somewhere.

Bleed a radiator: the color of water

Roof drainage

Let the water drain. This water can be gray: that's normal. It contains some of the sludge from the radiator. You've finished serving the radiator when the trickle of water is regular. Indeed as it exits inconsistently, your heater has yet to air.

Bleed radiators: Beware of leaks

Carefully and firmly tighten each screw of each radiator before putting your water supply system started. Check at the screws that water does not ooze. Repeat for all the radiators in your home. Replace faucets at temperatures above normal.

Drain water heater tips

With a little patience, everyone can get to drain a water heater. There are two methods for draining a water heater. Depending on your model you need, or not completely shut off the water meter.

Draining the water heater: why?

Limestone is the enemy of this unit. Accumulates, it interferes with its proper functioning and can cause an over consumption of electricity. Drain water heater allows it to get rid of limestone that eventually clog the vessel.

Draining a water heater: the basic method

Turn off power, close the inlet valve of cold water. Install a hose to the drain valve.Depending on where your water heater, connect the other end of the hose into a sink, a tub ... Start by opening the drain valve on the water heater and a hot water faucet nearby. Once complete, to fill the tank, close the drain valve and open the faucet. Sign up for one away from it and open the inlet valve of cold water.

Drain water heater: the alternative method

In some cases, air can not enter the water heater, and therefore water can not flow. You then need to cut the water meter and unscrew the cold water supply before draining a water heater. Put the drain hose in place on the cold water inlet of your water heater.Unscrew the start of hot water to the intake of air. The water will then flow rapidly through the cold water supply.

How to a bandsaw

You get into the important work of carpentry or woodworking. You hire a band saw. Good idea but it is a material very professional or amateur warned that requires: - to take precautions before the road - be careful when using it.

A band saw for what?

A band saw can perform all kinds of cuts: straight, but also rounded, bias, sweep ... For fans of the work of cabinet or woodworking is an ideal tool.

Security with a band saw

To use a bandsaw, it is important for safety reasons to thoroughly check the stability of your machine on the ground or on the bench. Plus your saw is properly secured, the less you'll vibration. Read the manual. Do not start without knowing the machine operation. Equip your goggles. The flying shards of wood are common. Make sure that the protectors of the bandsaw blade is in place. Also make sure the blade is tight. If necessary, tighten the bolt.

Use the band saw

Engage your piece of wood under the blade. Never force! Fold your thumbs inside your palm. Hold the workpiece firmly but on both sides of your bandsaw blade. If your room is very long, cut a horizontal section from time to time, especially if your cut is a bit complicated. You release and your field of work. Better use of lightweight parts and cumbersome.

Avoid it with a band saw

Do not force the piece of wood under the blade of a bandsaw. Some knots are a little hard to pass. Do not go back, your cuts are uncertain. Turn off the power when you leave the room or before touching the blade to a filing or other. Allow about 10 minutes to 1 m cut with a bandsaw.

Drilling in all materials

To break the glass, concrete, load bearing wall ... techniques vary. Use the right tool and especially good for successful drill holes. Follow this card that gives you some tips.

Drill Glass

To get a perfect hole in a mirror or window, equip yourself with a special drill whose end is shaped like a half moon. The ideal is to have a drill stand which prevents the bit from slipping on the smooth surface.

Learn about the different types of drills by visiting our form: Drill: different models .

Start by removing the glass on a piece of carpet , cork or any other coating that absorbs vibrations. Place the drill tip to the desired location. Start the drill at slow speed without forcing. If you do not support, just to keep the tool so that the drill does not move.

After some time, the tip begins to bite, the bit from slipping further, increase speed, still without support. Place a drop of oil (any) into the bowl and continue to break up and pass through glass.

Metal Drill

For metal, the technique is the same as for the glass but the drill is different. It should be a model "HSS". Mark the hole location by giving a hammer blow with a big nail: it prevents the bit from slipping. Start slowly and then accelerate . On a thick piece, add oil.

Drill a concrete wall

Pierce the plasterboard

If your house has walls of concrete , equip yourself with a pneumatic drill. It will save you the long minutes of effort it requires material with a conventional hammer drill. With a pneumatic drill, drill is a joy. The drill, special for this kind of machine, goes like butter, without forcing.

Be careful, this efficiency has a downside: in other materials, the drill is too powerful and can cause damage.That is why it is possible to disengage the function type, but the spike behaves like a drill entry level.

Step 4: Drill the tile

Once again, we must start slowly, with the appropriate bit "carbide" . To avoid cracking the tile, do not tilt the drill during drilling and does not engage the hammer. It's a bit long, but the result is guaranteed. Apply the same technique to plaster, terra cotta, concrete, etc..

Wood Drill

Wood Drill

Wood is a bit flat, a wood bit is cylindrical. The first is used for larger holes. For the second diameter is generally less than 20 mm. In either case, prick the tip of the tool on the selected location and drill at medium speed. To avoid chipping the output of material, lay a board across martyrdom .

Welding: All our tips for soldering

To weld your own fittings plumbing there are two methods, electric arc or with a mixture of oxygen and acetylene gas. Here is how to achieve the proper solder secondePour your plumbing fittings: - properly clean parts - welding at the right temperature - cool your rooms.

How to Solder: removing impurities

Clean room

Your pieces must be carefully sanded with emery cloth, then wiped with a clean dry cloth. Brush your pieces of solder paste , auto-stripping. Solder paste your parts rid of impurities under the action of heat.

Turn your welder and check the temperature

Make the room blushing

Open the gas supply valves and operate the automatic switching by directing the tip of the iron so that it does not burn. Heat use is regulated by acting on the mixture and the gas flow. She is correct when the flame (the stinger) is short and blue , almost white.

How to pack?

Solder paste applied previously will facilitate the work of the solder. Introduce the flame to the parts to be welded. For example, if it is a fitting on a copper tube, turn it so as to heat the entire circumference uniformly. Good heat is reached when the copper is orange yellow. Discard the flame and then submit the welding rod. It should melt instantly on contact with metal and infiltrating into the joint.

The trick, in fact, is not to form a loaf shape on the surface but to enter the filler metal as deeply as possible between the two assembled parts. You can warm up the weld to complete the work.

But if the glue stick, if you make large blocks, welding is missed, the pieces are probably not hot enough. It must then start over.

How to Solder: cool your room

Impoundment of the room

If you must perform several welds in the same room, a fitting example, immerse it in water to cool. Otherwise, it is best to let him return to normal temperature in the open air.

Double check your soldering. If you notice a defect or a crack, start again. A proper weld does not blister. It is not necessary to file .

How to Solder: alternatives

limaillesSi you are afraid of missing your welds, there are more alternatives, such as plastic pipes, fittings, quick screw, glue or rivets. However, these solutions are often more expensive or do not offer the same performance that a successful weld.