A clogged drain is one of the most frequent annoyances with plumbing in the household. When it comes to plumbing problems, it’s always better to do proactive maintenance rather than costly repairs.
Clogged drains, however, are one of those pesky problems that may unexpectedly arise and, if not addressed immediately, can become an expensive and dangerous issue that affects the whole home.
Let’s take a look at our tips on how to unclog the drain that’s causing you trouble.
1. Boiling water
For a fast and simple remedy for your clogged drains, consider dumping a pot of hot water down the drain. Often, this is all that is needed to loosen or dissolve the obstruction without further intervention.
Heat may loosen PVC pipe joints, therefore only use this approach on metal or ceramic pipes. For PVC pipes, use hot tap water instead. While this technique may help with greasy or food-based clogs, it is not likely to dissolve more permanent obstructions.
2. Call up a professional
Sometimes it can be risky to do the repair on your own. If your drain keeps on giving you headaches, you should have a qualified plumber take care of it. Provided you’re somewhere in the Northern Sydney area, we can recommend professional plumbers in North Shore that are ready to deal with any clogging issue and more.
Further, clogged drains may indicate a more serious issue with your plumbing. For instance, tree roots in subterranean pipes or foreign materials in your drains might cause inconveniences like clogged toilets and stormwater drains. Only a licensed plumber has the knowledge and training to ensure that your plumbing is in good operating condition.
3. Use a chemical drain cleaner
A plethora of household chemicals is specially formulated for this purpose in particular. Chemical drain cleaners, when poured straight into the clogged drain, break down the grease and buildup that have accumulated there. They are designed to eradicate the smelly bacteria that cause clogged drains and are often made out of natural chemicals. Once the drain cleaner has finished working, any remaining water in the sink should drain away without any clogs or lingering odors.
Heavy-duty cleaning chemicals should only be used as directed, for both health and safety reasons and because various kinds of clogged drains call for different approaches. As an example, a complete blockage in a kitchen sink would need a completely different approach than one in a bathroom sink from which water is still slowly draining.
4. Coat hanger
Make a little hook by straightening out a wire hanger and bending over one end. Remove any hair or muck by pushing it in past the drain cap. After that, you should run hot water through it to loosen things up. When the clog is in the first 5cm to 10cm of the drain, this method tends to work the best.
5. Home-made chemical solutions
In a measuring cup, combine a third of a cup of bicarbonate of soda and a third of a cup of vinegar. Stir this mixture well and pour it into the drain immediately. It will start fizzing as soon as you combine the ingredients, so you shouldn’t wait to pour it down the drain.
The filth, hair, and dirt that have built up in the pipe may be cleaned with the aid of the fizzing action. Give it an hour to rest, or even better, let it sit overnight. Flush with hot water.
6. Try a plunger
Wash your hands in a sink that is only half full and don’t wear your Sunday best. If you want to use water pressure to remove the clog, fill the plunger with water, and not simply air, before applying pressure.
Cover the drain fully with the plunger and push hard but gently. After removing the obstruction, the water should drain swiftly.
7. Snake it
Special shower drain tools are helpful in clearing out stubborn jams, but they aren’t essential. A plumber’s snake might be thought of as a little, portable auger. The blockage in the shower drain may be reached from across the room thanks to a hand crank that activates a cable that extends quite deep into the plumbing.
To snake your drain properly, first lower the cable into the pipe until it can go no further. You have reached the blockage when the cable stops moving. Turn the handle counterclockwise to engage the grabbing mechanism, then keep turning until the clog is moved. Flush with hot water.
There are many causes of clogged drains. From hair in your shower drain to greasy food waste in your sink, anything can happen. If you hear gurgling sounds, your drain is sluggish, or there’s a bad odor, consider one of the DIY remedies we mentioned above. If it doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to bring in a professional plumber and let them deal with the issue.
