...Continued from previous week
1) There is a debate among the Poskim if a sink drain that got stuffed up on Shabbos may be unclogged by using a plunger.
Some Poskim allow it in cases of extreme necessity while others prohibit this in all instances as in their opinion fixing a pipe that was not functioning properly is a transgression of the Melacha of Boneh and/or the melacha of Makeh B’Patish. (See Shu”t Minchas Yitzchak Vol. 5 Siman 75 and Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso Perek 12:17)
2) If the blockage is extreme and can only be unclogged by using a snake tool, which is considered skilled work (Ma’aseh Uman) all agree that it is prohibited. (Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchaso ibid.)
Of course, actually unscrewing the blocked pipe in order to clean it as well as re-screwing it after it is cleaned is prohibited according to all opinions.
3) A sink strainer that got filled with food particles, may be picked up, emptied into the garbage and returned to the sink, and doing so is not a concern of Boneh.
If the food particles are no longer suitable for consumption by animals they become Muktzeh and thus they should only be discarded via picking up the strainer (Tiltul Min HaTzad) and not by scooping out the actual particles.
4) A toilet that becomes clogged on Shabbos, according to many Poskim, may be plunged to unblock the blockage, as being clogged is a common occurrence and does not render the toilet broken and thus plunging it is not deemed an act of repairing it. (Ruling of HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv Zatzal quoted in Sefer Ashrei HaIsh;Shabbos Page 226)
Some Poskim are stringent and prohibit using a plunger.
In cases where the toilet is easily back in order with a few light pumps of the plunger, the prevalent ruling is to allow it, whereas for more severe blockages, it is best to be stringent. (See Shu”t Igros Moshe Orach Chaim Vol. 4 Siman 40 and Shu”t Minchas Yitzchak Vol. 5 Siman 75)
All Poskim agree that that a snake tool may not be used, as that is considered skilled work and doing so would be a transgression of Boneh.
For Halacha L’Ma’aseh a Rav should be consulted.
5) A drain cover that does not have a handle on it may not be replaced or removed on Shabbos and doing so is a transgression of Boneh/Soser.
However, if the drain cover is equipped with a handle it may indeed be removed or replaced on Shabbos as the handle is an indication that it is meant to be removed and replaced and thus not a transgression of Boneh/Soser. (Much like a sink strainer which may be removed and replaced as that is its intended function.) (See Shulchan Aruch Siman 308:10 and Mishna Berura S”K 42)
6) A roof gutter that is filled with leaves and other debris and is thus blocking the rainwater from draining into the drainpipe may not be cleaned out on Shabbos as doing so will once again allow the drainpipe to work properly and is a transgression of Boneh [and possibly a transgression of Makeh B'Patish as well].
7) A piece of carpet which stretches from wall-to-wall in a room may not be laid in that room on Shabbos if the intention is to leave it there permanently, even it isn’t tacked down to the floor, as doing so is considered adding on to the room and thus a transgression of Boneh.
8) If the piece of carpet does not reach the wall and is only placed in the center of the room, even if it covers a majority of the floor it is permitted. (See “The Shabbos Home; Volume two” by Rav Simcha Bunim Cohen Shlita, page 423 footnote 46)
To be continued next week B’Ezras Hashem
