Four Ways to Clear Your Drains

Posted on: 2 April 2018

Regardless of whether the blockage is in the kitchen and you now have an overflow of food in your sink and the telltale smells of mouldy waste, or in the bathroom thanks to some unruly teenagers not doing their chores, a blocked drain is a pain for all the family, and it can be worryingly costly for the bill payer. While ongoing maintenance is the best way to prevent a blocked drain from happening, there is no need to despair, as most drains can be easily unblocked. 

The first step is to make sure that that the source of the blockage is organic material which will respond to traditional drain clearing techniques. Make sure that nothing metallic or plastic has gone down the drain and, for example, blocked the U bend; only a professional will be able to deal with this, as it will require taking apart much of the plumbing around the area and possibly replacing it. 

However, if you have outside drains that are blocked by leaves, kitchen sinks blocked by food or showers blocked by hair, read on for four ways to unblock your drains.

Coat hanger and plunger

If you suspect that the drain has been blocked by hair or other waste which has clogged and formed a ball, you need to get it out. Unbend a wire coat hanger to form a hook and place this down the drain to find and leverage the source of the blockage, hook into it and bring it up to the surface. You can also use a plunger to get rid of waste which is more prone to disintegration.

Shop-bought drain cleaners

If you are dealing with a more significant blockage, many shop-bought drain clearers will do the trick. Although there are two kinds, acidic and alkaline, most household drain problems will require acidic clearers which are able to cut through hair and food waste with ease.

Home remedy

If you do not want to spend money on a shop-bought solution, you may be able to create your own from the contents of your cupboard. Baking soda is a cure for many household problems, and it replicates the effect of shop bought cleaners (although they tend to be much more powerful). Mix baking soda with water for simple blockages, or with vinegar for more serious blockages, and pour the mixture down the drain. Leave for half an hour, and then use your sink as normal. 

Bring in the professionals

If you are weary of doing anything to your drains which may make the problem worse, or you just cannot seem to solve the problem yourself, it is time to bring in professionals for blocked drain clearing. Plumbers will be able to diagnose most normal household blockages in a few minutes, and they have the professional equipment to cut through even the most disgusting of blockages.

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