TO UNSTOP A SINK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 10

TO UNSTOP A SINK

JOB FOR AMATEUR PLUMBER USE OF THE FORCE CAP. Nothing can happen in a kitchenette or bathroom which is more annoying than to find that the sink or basin waste pipe is stopped up sufficiently to prevent water flowing away. While a piece of wire wall sometimes clear the stoppage, it is hot to be relied on in all cases, and, indeed, will sometimes damage the pipe if unwisely used, or is too stiff. Where the waste pipe' has a Uanaped trap there is usually a screw vap which may be unfastened and the pipe cleared. These are not always fitted, however, and other means will Uien have to be adopted. A flexible wire cleaner similar to a clisely-woven spring about 4 feet long and 3-8 inches think may be purchased. One end is fitted with a wooden handle *nd the other has a small hook similar to a corkscrew. This should be inserted down the pipe, and slowly turned, the object being to hook the obstruction and pull it out. Sometimes, however, a few vigorous pushes suffice to dislodge it, and it is carried away. The quickest of all methods, however, is undoubtedly the use of a force cup. This is similar to a large inverted rubber cup on a wooden hanlde. The medium size is amply large enough and can be purchased for a shilling or two. The method of using is as follows: Dip it first in water (if there is none left in the sink) and then place it carefully over the waste pipe orifice perfectly flat so that air cannot enter underneath the cup. Force the air (or water if some remains) underneath the cup down the pipe with a quick plunging motion. This will cause the rubber cup to flatten out over the orifice. Take great care not to lift away from the bottom of the sink, because the force of suction out of the pipe at the other end. several times, and so force the obstructs nout of the pipe at the other end.