5 Ingenious Ways to Unclog a Floor Trap Choke You’ve Never Tried Before!
Indeed, dealing with a clogged or choked floor trap is more than a daunting task. Sometimes, we keep smelling the odors seeping through the drainage pipes. Is it really that good for us? Well, nobody would love an unhealthy environment like a clogged floor trap. Cleaning this essential fixture can keep unwanted debris out of the plumbing system.
Do you know how to clear a floor trap choke? In short, you can employ multiple methods, from manual to getting plumbing services. DIY unclogging includes using solutions (like baking soda and vinegar) and cleaners or cleaning tools. But when you get professional services, things may be different and better than DIYs.
In this article, I have discussed five simple ways to unclog the floor trap chokes. This article will be helpful if you are in Singapore. Plus, you can learn the causes of a floor trap choke. However, regular maintenance and proper waste disposal are your best defenses against floor trap chokes.
What are the Causes of Floor Trap Chokes?
A floor trap (drain trap) is necessary for any plumbing system. It traps small water in its bend to create a seal. This seal prevents sewer gases from entering the building. Sometimes, this trap gets choked due to several reasons. In this part, I will mention those causes in detail.
Accumulation of Debris
Of course, debris accumulated in the bend of the floor trap chokes it more. This includes hair, soap scum, food particles, and other waste materials. Over time, these materials can build up in the trap and reduce the water flow. As a result, you get a clogged plumbing system.
Particularly, hair entangles with other debris over time and blocks the trap. Solid matter and grease accumulation within the trap can block the water flow in the drain trap.
Then again, foreign items like food waste, clothing, or toys can also be the reason. Well, I know, we (or our kids) often accidentally or intentionally throw them into the opening of the floor trap.
In bathrooms, soap scum is highlighted as a primary cause of clogged drains. They may contribute to the overall issue of floor trap chokes.
Incorrect Installation or Poor Design
Are you sure that you have installed the floor tap correctly? If not, it may cause issues like chokes. Let me add an example. Suppose the trap is not correctly aligned with the drain pipe. Hence, it can cause water to back up and overflow. Alternatively, an incorrect trap cannot handle the volume of water flowing through it. As a result, you need to clean the clogged trap choke.
Lack of Regular Maintenance
Often, we forget or care less about our plumbing system. However, there is no alternative to regular maintenance. If you do not clean the trap regularly, debris can build up and cause a choke. For instance, you forget to remove any visible debris from the floor trap.
How to Identify a Choked Floor Trap
Well, I mean the time you need to take steps to clean the clogged trap. Some notable indicators include:
- Irresistible odors: When waste materials accumulate inside the floor trap, it may produce a foul smell over time.
- Slow water draining: Water may drain slowly from the choked drain trap. If you are a homeowner, you can quickly notice this.
- Water backflow: A choked floor trap can also cause a backflow of water. You may experience water starting to flow back up through the trap and onto the floor.
I assume you have left the issue unaddressed. As a result, you may get some problems like damage to the plumbing system. Even the choked floor trap can be a birthplace for bacteria and insects. It will be a health risk.
Related: Toilet Bowl Choke in Singapore
How to Unclog a Floor Trap Choke in 5 Ways in Singapore
You may have already searched for the best plumbing services in Singapore, right? And if you are here at Li Fong Handyman, we are ready to serve you with the best solutions. In this part, I will explain several methods to deal with choked floor traps.
Method 1: Manual Removal
It’s a basic but effective way to get a healthy plumbing system. It involves physically removing any blockage inside the drain trap. However, this method is suitable for minor chokes where you can reach the blockage easily.
Tools Required
- A pair of rubber gloves
- A face mask
- A wire coat hanger (or similar tool)
Procedures
First, wear gloves to protect your hands and a mask to work safely. Then, gently remove the cover of the floor trap. Take the hanger to probe into the trap. Next, pull out all the visible debris. After that, flush the trap with hot water to clean the remaining blockage.
Method 2: Dry/Wet Vacuum Cleaner
Yes, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove unwanted things from a drain trap effectively. This method uses the powerful suction capability of wet/dry vacuums. Hence, the motor generates strong suction to pull the clog out of the drain.
Tools Required
- A dry/wet vacuum cleaner
- Dry towels
- A damp rag
Procedures
First, you should ensure that the area around the drain is prepared. Have you used any chemical cleaners before? If so, cover the surrounding area with towels to protect it from splashes. Then, remove the drain cover to allow direct access to the clog.
Take the rag to create a tight seal around the vacuum’s hose. It will seal the drain, too. Thus, this step can maximize the suction power directly onto the clog. In the vacuum setting, the machine must be set to handle liquids to prevent damage. You may find cleaners with a switch or setting to choose between dry and wet vacuuming.
Now, turn on the vacuum cleaner. Do not forget to maintain the seal during the process. If you get the clog stubbornly, adjust the position of the hose and try repetitively. After unclogging, check the vacuum’s canister for the removed debris. You will get ideas about what caused the blockage (e.g., hair, grease, or something else). Lastly, clean the vacuum after use.
Method 3: Using a Plunger
According to multiple experts, the plunger is another simple way to unclog the floor trap. Well, this method uses the air pressure force to dislodge the blockage.
Tools Required
- A cup plunger
- A damp rag or basket strainer
Procedures
You can start by ensuring sufficient water level in the sink, tub, or area around the floor trap. It must cover the cup of the plunger. Well, this water is necessary to create an effective seal and generate hydraulic pressure. You may remove some water if there’s too much of it.
I suggest you use a cup plunger, which is ideal for sinks, tubs, and floor drains. These plungers have a flat bottom to create seals on flat surfaces. For toilets, a flange or accordion plunger is more effective due to the shape of the toilet drain.
At this point, place the plunger over the drain. In this way, the cup can completely cover the drain opening. Next, press down gently to expel air from within the plunger cup to create a vacuum. If you are dealing with a double sink, seal off the other drain with a wet rag or use the basket strainer.
After placing the plunger firmly, use a vertical, up-and-down motion to plunge. The first plunge should be gentle to avoid splashing, followed by more forceful plunges.
Likewise, this action creates the hydraulic pressure needed to dislodge the clog. Please continue the motion for 20-30 seconds. Once you have done plunging, you can lift the tool straight up to break the seal.
Next, check if the water drains away quickly. If it is, you have successfully cleared the clog. If the water drains slowly or stands still, repeat the plunging process. Finishing these steps, flush the drain with hot water. That’s it!
Method 4: Employing Drain Snakes
You may know it as a plumbing snake. It is a flexible coil of wire or a metal rod to navigate through the drain or floor trap.
Tools Required
- A drain snake
- A pair of rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
Procedures
Like other methods, clear the area around the drain. Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from debris during cleaning.
You should use a hand-cranked drain snake or auger to clean a standard floor trap. You can prefer an electric drain snake for a tough or deep clog within a drain. However, slowly feed the head of the snake into the drain opening after selecting it.
Start turning the handle or cranking the snake to extend the cable into the drain. Then, continue feeding the snake into the drain until you feel resistance. If you feel so, be sure that you have reached the clog.
Next, apply slight pressure to push the snake’s head into the clog. Rotate the handle clockwise to help the snake’s tip latch onto or break apart the clog. This process is the same as an electric snake, but the machine provides the rotational force.
Continuously crank the handle of the snake to dislodge the clog. Therefore, if the snake feels stuck, you may adjust the pressure and rotation direction. For stubborn clogs, you may need to pull the snake back slightly and push forward again to attack the blockage. After cleaning it, retract the drain snake from the drain.
Run hot water down the drain to flush out any remaining debris as usual. Clean the snake thoroughly after use to ensure it’s ready for the next job.
Method 5: Chemical Drain Openers
Openers or cleaners, chemicals can dissolve the common clog-causing materials like hair, grease, or soap scum. Some suggestions from Li Fong are:
- Drano’s Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover
- Liquid-Plumr Clog Destroyer Plus Hair Clog Eliminator
- FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner
Procedures
You must not forget to know what is causing the clog. As suggested, you can use the products to clean clogs due to hair, grease, or soap scum. Always wear gloves and ensure the area is well-ventilated while applying them. After all, chemicals may react to our bodies.
Now, pour the recommended amount of the chemical drain opener directly into the floor trap. It may vary depending on the products. Usually, the cleaning duration is 15-30 minutes on average. After that, flush the drain with hot water to rinse away the dissolved clogged material.
If you still find the choke, you may repeat the previous step. I suggest you contact professional plumbing services to complete this job successfully.
Bonus Methods
Hot Water and Baking Soda
You can flush the floor trap choke with hot water and baking soda each month. It’s a natural remedy for drain maintenance.
Pour ½ cup of baking soda or salt down your basement floor drain. Follow this with boiling water to scrub the pipes and dissolve grease and soap scum over time.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Pour one-half cup of baking soda into the drain like the previous method. Then, immediately follow with one-half cup of white vinegar.
Let the mixture bubble and fizz for several minutes to an hour. After the reaction ceases, flush the drain with hot water for plastic pipes or boiling water for metal pipes.
Salt and Baking Soda
Again, mix ½ cup table salt with ½ cup baking soda. Then, pour the mixture into the drain and let it work for 15 to 20 minutes. Next, flush the drain with a whole pot of boiling water. You may use salt alone to clean minor chokes.
How to Prevent Clogged Drain in Your Home
You can surely prevent drain chokes by following some instructions:
- Always maintain the drainage pipes. It includes removing and cleaning the trap cover, eliminating visible debris, and flushing it with hot water.
- Do not pour cooking oil into the floor trap. It can solidify and cause stubborn blockage. I suggest you cool down the oil and dispose of it in a bag.
- You may use a lint catcher on your washing machine. It may catch the tiny materials without harming the drainage system.
- Use bacterial drain cleaners and install a wire mesh to free the system of hair and food waste.
Professional Vs. DIY Unclogging Methods
DIY methods are good till you have all the tools and experience to clean the plumbing system. Especially these methods, as above, are more effective for minor clogs. For example, you can use your plunger to unclog the floor drain.
However, professionals can deal with more severe or persistent blockages to avoid worsening the problem. Many people suggest professionally clean drain pipes every 2-3 years. Besides, the pros have specialized tools and tactics to save time and effort and prevent further issues.
FAQs
What are the best tools to unclog a floor trap choke?
You can choose mechanical tools like Vevor Drain Cleaner Machine, FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner, Populo 20V Drain Auger Kit, and Drainx Pro 50-FT Plumbing Snake.
What are the common causes of a choked floor trap?
Hair, soap, grease, dirt and dust, and foreign objects can choke the drain trap.
What should I do if I can’t unclog my floor trap?
You can call professional plumbing services in your area to get the quickest solution.
Conclusion: Choosing Li Fong Handyman over Manual Cleaning
Well, we are at the end of the topic: 5 unique ways to unclog a floor trap choke. Before that, I want to discuss one crucial matter – why choosing expert plumbing services in Singapore is better than manual cleaning.
Suppose your multiple attempts to unclog a drain or fix a plumbing issue have been unsuccessful. In that case, you can contact us 24/7. Continuing DIY efforts without the necessary expertise or tools can worsen the problem.
You may check our portfolio to differentiate between DIY and professional unclogging of a choked floor trap.
Thank you so much for your attention and time. I hope you liked the discussion.
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