We all know the inconvenience of having a blocked drain, whether it’s in our kitchen or bathroom or anywhere we need running water and drainage, it can be a huge (and gross!) issue.
When things go wrong, the best option is to call a professional drain specialist, but in times where you need to try a quick fix first, follow these at-home natural remedies before using store-bought chemicals that can be harsh and cause long-term damage to your pipes.
Six At Home Remedies for Clearing Blocked Drains
1. Boiling Water, Salt and Baking Soda: This combination works best on grease clogs. Add ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of baking soda followed by a kettle of boiling water and let it sit overnight before running the faucet again.
2. Baking Soda and Vinegar: Pour ½ cup of baking soda in followed by ½ cup of vinegar. Let the combination foam for a few minutes and follow up with boiling water.
3. Closet Augur: This is a long tube, often with a hook or bristles at the end and the hope (when used) is it grabs and removes the clog. This is good for shower drains that may be clogged with hair. Be cautious when using this tool though, as professional plumbers warn that you could cause damage to your pipes if not used properly. When in doubt, seek professional help.
4. Plunger: Yes, this handy tool that has saved many from bathroom nightmares, can be used in sinks and bathtubs as well. Add enough water till there is sufficient amount for the plunger to get the best suction and proceed as usual.
5. Pepsi/Coca-Cola: You may have a preference when drinking this soft drink, but either can work for unclogging drains. The phosphoric acid breaks down everything from residue to calcium. Simply add 2 litres of the soft drink at room temperature and wait one hour. Rinse with hot water.
6. Manual: If you are familiar with your piping, there is the option to dislodge the pipe and manually remove the clog. Check with your local professional if you run into any issues or have any questions.
o avoid altogether having to worry about unclogging a drain, there are some precautions you can take with a little weekly maintenance that will keep your pipes open and free of debris.
Weekly Maintenance Tips
- Cover drains with hair and food catchers. Avoid putting things down your garbage disposal you are not sure will go down, or possibly even break the garbage disposal unit.
- Run hot water down the drain after each use—hot water washes away any fresh build up, which can be useful in the shower where soaps and hair product can really stick to piping.
- Add baking soda and hot water regularly to your drains as baking soda is a natural cleaner and helps remove odours. Vinegar also works in this manner.
- As a weekly cleaner, mix 1 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of table salt and ¼ cup of cream of tartar to keep in a jar. Pour mixture down drains, follow with boiling water then flush with cold.
In a pinch, these methods can get you out of, and keep you out of, messy situations. If you want to skip all the fuss and get it sorted straight away, you’re going to need a professional, call us at any time to make an appointment and get a free quote.
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