There are probably few household problems more annoying than a blocked drain. They happen seemingly for no reason, smell terrible and, if left too long, can cause costly structural damage to your home. The good news is that, most of the time, they can be sorted out quickly and easily. The simplest method to unblock a drain is to pour boiling water down it. This will help dissolve any grime and shift any loose blockages to help clear the drain.
Sometimes, hot water alone is not enough. If this is the case, it might be worth checking with your neighbors to make sure they don’t have a problem as well. If they do, the authorities might be responsible, but if not, it’s up to you as the homeowner. Knowing the source of the problem can help as it will give you an idea of how to attack – narrow down what the blockage might be. Some common examples include leaves, dishwasher soap and leftover food.
For blockages that are located quite close to the surface, a good method to try is a plunger and hook. Use the plunger to dislodge whatever is blocking the drain and then use the hook to fish out anything that’s still clogging it up – use a metal hook or coat hanger for this but be careful you don’t damage any pipes as you do so. This method is probably most effective for removing clumps of hair and grime that block up bathroom drains from time to time.
Another great drain unblocking method is caustic soda, which comes in crystal form. For this, you just pour the crystals down the drain and wait for them to dissolve the blockage. Bear in mind, though, that caustic soda is corrosive so you should wear plastic gloves and goggles when using it as otherwise it can damage your clothes or skin. It’s also known as soda crystals or sodium hydroxide and, as an alternative, you could use thick bleach or other specialized drain cleaner.
If none of these methods have worked to unblock your drain, it might be time to call in a plumber. If the blockage is bad, they can insert a camera into the drain to check the problem and make sure there’s no structural damage. Of course, though, prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to keep your external drains clear of leaves and other debris on a regular basis and keep an eye of your interior drains so if you see them getting blocked you can act early.
*Disclaimer* This information should be used as a guide only and should not be relied upon as the sole source of information on this issue. We cannot be held responsible for any loss, inconvenience, damage (whether special or consequential) or claims arising out of the use of this information.
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