Quick DIY Techniques You Should Consider to Unblock Drains
Posted on: 12 August 2020
As a homeowner, what should you do after noticing signs of a blocked drain? Perhaps water is pooling in the shower, or you can detect strange and unpleasant odors being emitted by your sewage system. If nothing is done right away, you'll be forced to deal with a clogged drain or burst pipes. Fortunately, there are easy procedures you can follow to deal with blocked drains before you can consider contacting a plumber, and some of them are outlined below.
Boiled water
One of the easiest ways to tackle blocked drains is to use boiling water. This technique is suitable for blockages that have been caused by conditioner, grease, or any form of toiletry. These substances have a low melting point, so the hot water will break them up hence clearing the clog. Simply put water into a kettle and boil it, then pour the hot water down the drain slowly. You might need to repeat this twice or thrice, depending on the type of clog you are dealing with.
Plunger
Another old-fashioned technique you can consider when you have a clogged drain is the plunger. This useful tool works by forcing the water through the pipes to clear the blockage, allowing blocked water to drain through. Get the tool and place it on top of the opening to form a seal. Make up and down movements without lifting the plunger to create the vacuum effect that eliminates the blockage. If this doesn't work after several trials, you should know that you are dealing with a more complex issue.
Vinegar and baking soda
For years, people have relied on baking soda and vinegar for different purposes, including unclogging drains. Mix equal measures of both substances in a measuring cup. The elements will fizz right away, so pour the mixture immediately into the drain so the fizzing action can eliminate hair, grime, and gunk that are preventing wastewater from draining effectively. Let the solution sit into the drain for an hour or overnight, then flush using hot water.
Bent wire
Another simple but effective method is the use of regular wire. Just take a wire hanger and straighten it out. Bend over one end to create a hook and insert the wire into the drain and start fishing. The bent wire will get dirt like hair out of your drain, allowing water to push through. Remember, the trick here is to pull the nasty stuff that's causing the blockage out instead of pushing them further into the pipes. Once you pull the gunk out, consider running hot water through the drain to clear everything up.
If these tools don't work, contact residential plumbing contractors to address the issue.
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