6 Tips for Unblocking a Drain
- Written by Samantha Ball
Is a blocked drain causing problems at your house? From a minor inconvenience to a nasty aroma wafting through the halls, blocked drains are never fun.
The good news is that most blockages can be cleared fairly easily with one of these tips. Read on to learn how!
1. A Toilet Plunger
A quick method of dealing with a blockage is probably already sitting in your bathroom next to the toilet. Grab that toilet plunger, put it over the drain (not just toilet drains) and pump it a few times up and down.
The suction created can be enough to break up the clog and clear the drain.
2. Coat Hanger Drain Snake
Another simple tool you can use that is probably already in your house is a wire coat hanger. Undo the hanger and create a hook on one end. Insert the hook into the drain.
Try ramming the clot with the hanger to break it up. Alternatively, it works well in shower clogs (which are often caused by hair) to use the hook to grab the clog and pull it up out of the drain.
3. DIY Drain Cleaner
A simple method that is safe for the environment is to dump a bit of baking soda down the drain. Follow it with vinegar and the crazy bubbly reaction that happens can be enough to dissolve the clot and clear the drain.
4. Storebought Drain Cleaner
The next method is not-so-safe for the environment, so be sure to use it sparingly. Stores sell heavy-hitting caustic drain cleaners that work wonders on even the toughest of drain clogs.
They also can cause you damage, so be careful when handling them. Don’t get it on your skin or in your eyes and be careful not to breathe in the fumes.
5. Eye on the Problem: CCTV Camera
What if your best efforts are turning up empty? It might be time to get an eye on the problem. Some blockages are impossible to clear with methods like these. For example, tree roots that have grown into the pipes won’t be affected by any of these methods.
How do you see inside the pipe? You can hire a plumber that offers CCTV services. The plumber uses a flexible cable to insert a tiny camera into the pipe and go looking for the clog.
6. Excavation
In the case of severe blockages, excavation may be your only option for clearing the clog. Once the plumber has pinpointed the clog’s location with the camera, they can begin digging to find the blocked section.
This is by far the most expensive option and good plumbers will do everything possible to help you avoid it. However, they also know what needs to be done when the time comes.
Avoid Blocked Drains in the Future
Blocked drains are common, but there are many small steps you can take to ensure that they don’t happen to you often.
First, avoid putting anything in your sinks, toilets, and showers that isn’t supposed to go down the drain. Second, you can have old pipes relined with a sturdy epoxy resin to strengthen them and lower the chances of developing major blockages.
