A blocked drain is more than just a nuisance. Left unchecked, a drain blockage can damage your entire plumbing system and cause serious flooding to your home.
That’s why clearing that blockage as soon as you notice it is always the best approach. You may need to call in a professional plumber, but first, take the time to see if these simple tactics can clear your drain in a heartbeat.
1. Clearing a Blocked Drain with Hot Water
If you are dealing with blocked drains, the first thing you should do is check if an old fashioned clean isn’t all that is needed.
Simply boil a pot of water (make sure not to burn yourself when pouring) and mix together a cup of salt, sodium bicarbonate, and vinegar.
Pour the mixture and the water down the plug, in that order and see if it does the trick. You can repeat this step several times if you think it is working.
2. Reach for the Plunger
Oftentimes nothing gets a drain-clearing done right like a plunger and some elbow grease. A plunger forces air through the drain pipe which can be effective at dislodging a blockage.
Make sure to use a damp cloth to seal your drain completely before plunging, and if you have a double kitchen sink then blocking the other hole is vital. Try this a few times and you may just have some luck.
3. The Acid and Soda Technique
If the traditional methods aren’t quite doing the trick, it’s time to reach for the chemicals. You’ll want to pick up some hydrochloric acid or caustic soda from your nearest hardware store for this one, or a commercial mixture such as Drain-O.
Simply pour the mixture down the plughole and leave it for about 30 minutes. After this, rinse it with cold water.
Do not use hot water in any circumstances, as this may cause a reaction that will make the toxic chemicals spit back up through the plughole.
4. Open Up the U-Bend
A drain blocked with household waste rarely gets very far down the pipe. That’s why the most effective approach can often be to crack open the U-pipe under the sink and see if you can dislodge the blockage yourself.
Make sure to place a bucket under the pipe before unscrewing it, as there may be a large flow of wastewater once you clear the blockage.
Once you’ve opened it up, dig around with a coathanger and see if you can pull out any debris.
5. Use a Wet Vacuum or ‘Plumber’s Snake’
If you’re really struggling when your drains blocked but you’re not ready to throw in the towel and call a plumber, you can rent some serious hardware to do the job.
A wet vacuum or ‘plumber’s snake’ can be rented from most major hardware stores. It does exactly what it sounds like.
You simply place a vacuum over the hole and see what this powerful device can suck out. This should really be the approach of last resort.
Call in the Pros
If none of these methods work, it is definitely time to get the professionals involved.
The blockage may be too far down into the plumbing system for you to reach, meaning that only a trained plumber can deal with the problem.
Make sure to call our team of highly experienced plumbers today if you have exhausted your options.
