6 Ways to Unclog Your Blocked Drain

A blocked drain can be a real pain. Water backs up in your sink, shower, or toilet, and you can't seem to get rid of it no matter what you do. If you are dealing with a blocked drain, try one of these seven methods to unclog it.

But first, let’s see what causes blocked drains.

Reasons for Blocked Drain

Drains get clogged mainly due to the following reasons.

● Hair

● Grease buildup

● Dirt and Plants

● Heavy rain and storms

● Poor water flow

● Bad pipe installations

● Broken pipes

● Foreign object

One of these must be the reason why you have a blocked drain. Now that you know the reasons, let’s see how to resolve them.

How to Prevent Clogging?

1. Unclogging Hair from Drains

We notice a puddle around our bathroom drains every now and then, and it isn’t pleasant to unclog it every time. No matter how much you hate it, it must be cleared; if not, it will lead to more plumbing problems.

And, FYI, you do not need a plumber to resolve this issue. You can pull it off yourselves easily. Here’s how you do it.

● If it's short hair, it will pass right through the drain without causing any obstruction (most of the time). The problem is only with the long hair. They get tangled into a lump and settle in your drain.

● Wear gloves and pull the hair out from the drain when it is in a small amount and hasn't entered the drain. Or it will get worse.

● Tools such as drain spiders can be stored in your emergency plumbing kit for these situations.

● Remember not to use hair removal chemicals too often, as sometimes, they can make the situation worse.

2. Clogged Due to Toiletries

Needless to say, kitchen drains often have to fight against grease and fat. As hair is the number one reason for a clogged bathroom drain, grease build-up is the top reason for a clogged kitchen sink drain.

These can be a real nuisance to clear out. The grease will stick to the inside of the pipelines and build up to the point of completely blocking the drain. Here’s how you clear it out!

● First, quit washing greasy/fatty ingredients in the kitchen sink. This grease will not pass all the way through the drain. It will cool down and harden in the middle of the pipeline.

● Keep a glass jar next to your kitchen sink and collect all the waste grease from cooking. Then, discard it with your garbage instead of pouring it down the drain.

● If it’s already blocked, you better call a professional plumber right away.

3. Block from Plants and Dirt

Apart from hair and grease, natural waste such as plant leaves and dirt can also block drains. So, maintenance is essential for your yard’s water drains.

Even tree roots can cause blockages in your plumbing system. Tree roots may get drawn to the moisture in the pipelines and break into the system. This causes blocked drains, too.

So, here’s what you do.

● Keep your yard clean of any fallen leaves and dirt so it won’t go down the drain. Leaving this mess for days can be a problem that needs a plumber’s attention.

● Keep your plants and trees sufficiently watered, so they don’t go towards the plumbing in search of water.

● But if worse comes to worst and the tree roots intrude into the plumbing system causing severe blocks, you should call for help immediately. You cannot DIY here as this situation requires specialist drain equipment and pipe relining.

Solutions to Clogged Drains

A blocked drain is tricky—it is simple sometimes, and NOT other times. But if it is a mild blockage, you can clear it yourself by following the below tips.

1. Boiling water - Boil water and run it down the drain. It is the easiest way to clear a clog. Repeat as needed.

2. Baking soda and vinegar - Combine 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar and stream it down the drain. Wait 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water. Sometimes, it takes a few attempts to unclog it completely. So, repeat as required.

3. Plunger - Cover the overflow hole with a wet cloth and position the plunger over the drain opening. Pump the plunger up and down until the clog is gone. Repeat as necessary.

4. Wire hanger - Unbend a wire hanger so you have a long, straight piece of wire. Push the wire down the drain until you feel resistance (the clog). Twist the wire around and pull it back out.

5. Drain snake - A drain snake is a long, flexible piece of metal. You insert it into the drain to break up the clog. You can buy one at your local hardware store or rent one from a plumbing company.

6. Call a plumber - If none of these methods works, your best bet is to call an experienced plumber who can remove the blockage fast and efficiently.

Conclusion:

If you are dealing with a blocked drain, don't despair!

Following the tips and solutions in this blog, you can unclog it yourself before calling a professional plumber. Sometimes all it takes is boiling water or a little elbow grease with a plunger or wire hanger.

However, if none of these methods works, do not hesitate to call in a professional plumber who will be able to clear your blocked drain quickly and efficiently without damaging your pipes.

You can keep Doyle Plumbing as an emergency contact in case of blocked drains in Brighton. If you can find your regular plumber, you can get Doyle.