Is there a more annoying thing in the world than a clogged drain? There probably is but it’s true: blocked drainage can be a major nuisance.
You might experience this when taking a shower, and the water won’t drain. It could also happen when you are washing dishes and water doesn’t drain. You may also find that your relaxing time at home can be hampered when you see other signs of a blocked drainage. The smell of foul water and the sound it makes are two indicators that something is wrong with your drainage system.
You don’t need to live with a blocked drainage forever. Unblocking a drain in your home can be difficult. There are many ways you can try to do it yourself, or hire a professional. We will provide you with some useful tips on how to unblock your drain.
1. Use Baking Soda or Vinegar.
Why spend money on an unblocker when you already have what you need? Baking soda and vinegar can be combined to make a drainage unblocking solution that will remove all the gunk, grime, hair or other debris from your drain pipe.
Mix one third of a glass of vinegar and one third of a glass of baking soda. When it begins to fizz up, pour the mixture down your blocked drain. Allow it to sit for at least an hour (or even overnight, if the blockage seems severe) before flushing with hot water. The blockage should theoretically be gone, but if it persists you can repeat the procedure.
2. Baking Soda and Salt.
Pour half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of salt into the blocked drain. Let it work for about 20 minutes, and then pour boiling hot water down the plughole. These three ingredients together will create a powerful chemical reaction that will remove the blockage causing headaches.
3. Unblock your Drain Using Boiling Water.
Fill your kettle as full as you can and boil it. Pour the water down the drain slowly in two or three stages. Allow the boiling water to work its magic between each stage. If you need more water to clear your blockage, boil the kettle once again. After you’re done, relax and enjoy a cup or two of tea with any leftover water in your kettle.
4. Unclog a Drain Using a Snake.
We are talking about the drain snakes that you can buy online or in most hardware stores. It is the best solution for many homeowners to use when they encounter a blockage.
Push the snake gently into your plughole. Continue until you are unable to feed it any more. The handle can be used to push the snake through the blockage. Rotate the handle until you feel it breaking apart. Then, rewind the snake and remove it from your sink. Run water through the sink to check if you have cleared the obstruction. If the blockage does not disappear, repeat the procedure with the snake.
5. Remove the Blockage Using a Coat Hanger.
Do not worry if you do not have a snake in your home! Use a wire coat hanger in your wardrobe or closet to remove the obstruction.
Straighten out the wire hanger and bend the other end into a hook shape. Push it through the drain cover, and then start looking for gunk that may be causing the obstruction. Remove any nasty debris that is below the drain cover and place it in your trash bin. Run your hot water faucet or boil a pot of water to remove anything else that may be hiding below. Repeat the procedure if problems persist. This method works, but you can push the gunk further down when fishing with a coat hanger. To reduce the problem, be as gentle as possible.
6. Remove U-Bend.
If you’re still having trouble after trying other methods of drain unblocking, it may be time to get your hands dirty! After removing the U-bend, sometimes the only way to remove a blockage from a drain is by hand. If you’re not confident about the job, call your plumber or consider using a drain unblocker in Auckland for professional assistance. Here’s what to do if you decide to tackle the job yourself.
Place old towels underneath the sink so that any dirty water can be caught. Also, have a bucket nearby. Don rubber gloves and find the u bend under the sink. The first bend is beneath the plughole. Start unscrewing each section of pipe using a wrench after placing the bucket beneath the u bend. You want to ensure that the excess water is dripped out before you remove it completely.
You can remove the U-bend when the water stops dripping. It is best to clean it in another sink. Use a wire hanger, or another tool, to remove the gunk. Rinse it with warm water mixed with a disinfectant mix to make it look and smell better. After this, use your wrench to reconnect the u bend and turn on the hot water. If you see a leak when running the hot water, remove the u bend and reconnect it again to make sure it’s fitted correctly.
7. Try Washing Powder or Soda Crystals as a Substitute for.
You may already have soda crystals in your home. They can be used for a variety of cleaning purposes. Pour boiling water into the drain, and then add a cup of soda. Wait five minutes and then add a cup hot water. Pour clean and flush the drain, pour boiling water down the plughole. The blockage should be cleared and you can continue your day.
Use washing powder if you do not have soda crystals. Pour two washing powder tables down the plughole, and then flush with water that you’ve boiled in the kettle. If it doesn’t, try again until the blockage is removed.
8. Use Supermarket Products.
It may be time to try a stronger solution if none of the above methods has worked. You can find a variety of products at your local supermarket. Choose the one that fits within your budget.
You can choose between two different types of cleaning products: chemical cleaners or biological cleaners. If you are looking for a cleaner that is more environmentally friendly, a biological one will do. They use enzymes to break down any blockages causing you problems. These are not as powerful as chemical cleaners, but are strong enough to remove most blockages. A chemical cleaner is usually the best option if the problem persists even after you’ve used this type of cleaner.
9. Use Zip-It.
Many products are available on the market to clear drains, such as the drain snake and plungers that we have already mentioned. Zip-It is a popular product that works similarly to the wire coat hanger method.
Zip: It has a long plastic rod with hooks at the end that face upward. It is easy to remove the gunk by pushing it into the drain. Continue until your drain appears to be clear.
10. Why Not Call a Professional Drainage Engineer for Help?
If you are wondering how to unblock your drain, any of the methods mentioned above will work. If the blockage is severe, you may need professional help. Contact us right away if this is the case. We can handle any blockage by locating the cause. We have the experience and tools to unblock your drains in no time.
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