Are you tired of dealing with constantly blocked drains?
Putting anything into a drain can contribute to a severe clogging problem. We all manage to ignore seemingly endless warning signs, especially if the issue is not that serious. Whether you put too much leftover food into the garbage disposal or excess paper was flushed down the toilet, those decisions will likely come back to bite you later.
Whether it’s a toilet that doesn’t flush or a sink that takes forever to drain, these are signs that you have a blocked drain. The good news is that there are quick fixes that you can try to help get rid of blocked drains for good!
So, read our guide to learn how to eliminate clogged drains!
Easily Unblock Your Clogged Drain with These Quick Tips
You can experience drain blockages in almost every plumbing pipe of your house. Whether it’s the shower drain, bathroom sink, kitchen drain, toilet bowl or even outdoor drains - there is always a chance of stubborn blockages.
There are easy unclogging remedies for blocked drains that use all-natural materials you can try. These home fixes are straightforward, and you will likely already have everything you need at home. So, let’s get to unblocking drains!
1. Use a Bent Wire Hanger
You might already have an idea of where this is going. More or less, it’s a DIY drain snake. First, you need to straighten out the hanger as much as possible. Then plunge the wire coat hanger into your drain and try to get the blockage loose. If you can fish out the cause of the clogging, your hanger will emerge with all sorts of gunk, hair, and other things you would do well to remove from your drain. It is best to throw away your hanger after this. If you find one, you can use a plumbers snake or drain auger to the same effect.
2. Pour Boiling Water
In many cases, boiling water will trick in getting rid of drain obstruction. All the things caught in your drain and causing the blockage are sometimes held together by grease and other sticky substances. Boiling water will help melt the stickiness away and allow the clogged objects to get free. It is a good idea to pour hot water incrementally until you see an improvement in your drain.
Just be careful when pouring hot water down your pipes, as extreme heat may cause further damage if the water is too hot. This is especially true for PVC pipes.
3. Use a Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar
That’s right, baking soda and vinegar work! Mix a third of a cup of bicarbonate of soda and a third of a cup of vinegar. Alternatively, you can pour in the bicarbonate of soda first, followed by vinegar. You should see it fizz immediately after the two substances come into contact. This fizzing will eliminate the sticky gunk, help the obstruction come loose, and get successfully down the drain.
4. Sodium Hydroxide
Caustic Soda or Sodium Hydroxide can be an ultimate option to help you get rid of clogged sinks and drains. Since it is a chemical, make sure you use caution to avoid any harmful effects of Sodium Hydroxide. Always wear rubber gloves before using caustic soda. How to use it:
- Add 5 gallons of water (cold) into a bucket
- Add 3 to 4 cups of sodium hydroxide
- Stir it well using a wooden spatula
- Pour the mixture into the blocked drain
- Let it sit for half an hour
- Pour down the hot water
- Repeat the process (if required)
The caustic soda can remove the dirt, dust, and grime built inside the pipe and kill the microorganisms in the clogged water.
5. Solution of Salt and Baking Soda
When you don’t have anything to deal with a blocked drain, you can go to the kitchen and make a mixture of salt and baking soda to eliminate this problem. Both work wonders when mixed as a cleaning solution.
How it works:
- Mix ½ cup of baking soda with ½ cup of table salt
- Pour inside the clogged drain
- Let it sit for half an hour
- Clear the pipe by pouring boiling water
The baking soda, salt, and hot water mixture can remove stubborn grime and dust and unblock the drain.
6. The Wet & Dry Vacuum
A wet and dry vacuum cleaner can be an outstanding tool for blocked sinks and drains. You can use it to pluck all dust and dirt inside the pipe. First, set the machine to vacuum liquids. Don’t forget to cover up the vent. Then, tightly seal the drain and let the vacuum fetch the clogged dust with immense power. Though it doesn’t always work, you can try it once if you don’t have a wet and dry vacuum. We suggest putting a bucket underneath if you are unblocking a kitchen sink.
If your drain opening has been blocked because of hair dandles and other stubborn dust, then it is good to use dish detergent available in your bathroom. You can use it to remove greased pipes and unclog a drain in seconds. How it works:
- Add ¼ cup of dish detergent to the bowl
- Add boiling water
- Pour the mixture down the blocked drain and let it break up the built-up grease and grime.
- Now pour the warm water to flush out all residues.
This is an amazing method because you don’t need fancy or expensive commercial cleaning products for unclogged drains/toilets/sinks. For blockages with food scraps and soap scum, you can combine this method with other techniques, such as drain snakes or a toilet plunger.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Chemical Drain Cleaners
Many chemical drain cleaner products are being sold to help you with these specific problems. However, although they promise to clear blocked drains, it would be best if you stayed away from these. They are awful for the environment and your plumbing system. On top of this, there isn’t a hundred per cent guarantee these harsh chemicals keep your drains clear.
Instead, look to invest in a drain cover to prevent hair and debris from entering your bathroom drain hole.
Tips For Clearing Blocked Drain
If you have tried all the DIY methods to unblock a drain mentioned above and still have a clogged drain, you should call a licensed plumber to come and solve the problem. If you are experiencing plumbing problems due to tree roots invading your drainage system, you will need to hire professional plumbing services.
Experienced plumbers can zero in on the obstruction in the drain and successfully get rid of it without damaging the rest of your plumbing system. They are your best bet to get rid of your drain blockage. They can also provide you with tips for preventing future blocked drains.
If you are looking for a licensed and insured professional plumber, contact Fixed Fast Plumbing! We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to help you with blocked drains in the Sydney area.
Good luck unclogging drains with our tips. Check out our other articles for professional tips and tricks for clogged drains!
