Clogged drains and toilets are nasty surprises that often come at the worst time. If you aren’t aware of what you should, and should not, wash down the drain (or if you have young kids) you have probably learned the hard way! Many things can clog your drain easily such as hair, food, oil, wipes, nappies, and even soap.
The above-mentioned debris can often accumulate in your drain over time, so if you notice that the water flow is slowing down or foul smells, then this is a sign that you should clear out your drain and that it might be at risk of a blockage. As with most things in life, knowledge is power. This article hopes to share some useful knowledge to help you to clear your drains efficiently.
Think before you act:
Before you call your dad or neighbour who is “good with their hands” to come to fix your drain issue, it may be best to reach out to a professional to get their input on your problem, sometimes DIY drain solutions can make the blockage worse and become even more costly! Most plumbing businesses now offer a variety of services, such as All Service Plumbing, it's best to contact them and explain your situations so that they can advise you on the best approach.
For example, most people have heard of the baking soda and vinegar trick. However, if you have metallic pipes, baking soda can corrode the surface. The trick is to pour baking soda first and then the vinegar down the drain, in equal parts, and to leave it for about twenty minutes.
Did you try with the plunger first?
Everyone knows what the iconic plunger looks like but most people haven’t used one in their lives. Before calling the plumber, make sure that you try using the plunger first. The plunger creates a suction that can dislodge the blockage. They aren’t only used for toilets, they can be especially useful for kitchen sinks that often get clogged from food waste.
A good old clothes hanger or stick:
A clogged drain can be scary (and not to mention stinky!) but sometimes all you need to do is to give the blockage a little push. Grab the nearest sturdy thin stick or go find a wire clothes hanger that you can straighten out. Stick it down the drain, find the blockage and give it a moderate prod. The nice thing about the clothes hanger is that you can use it for curved pipes. Be sure not to go at it too hard as there is a chance that you can cause some damage to your pipes, turning your simple blockage into a more expensive issue.
Get a drain snake:
If your plunger didn’t do the trick, and you can’t reach the blockage with a stick, then the drain snake is there to save the day. Drain snakes can be found in most department stores and can come in the form of a long flexible drill or have another attachment on the end to clamp onto the blockage in order to pull it out. A drain snake is definitely a worthy investment that you can lend to your family and friends when they are in need.
If you don’t have a plunger, you could try the vacuum cleaner!
For those who haven’t encountered many drain issues before, you may not own a plunger or you may have no idea where it is kept. You can try using a wet or dry vacuum cleaner to dislodge the blockage. All you need to do is to create a tight seal around the vacuum and switch it on. If the suction is strong enough, you should have some luck.
There you have it, some practical solutions to efficiently clear your drains in no time. There are some common themes linking all of the mentioned solutions together. You obviously need to dislodge the clog, this can be done with pressure by pushing it with another object (like a clothes hanger or drain snake) or by pulling on it with a sucking force (like the plunger or vacuum cleaner). It’s important to keep in mind that you can also damage your drain or pipes with some of these techniques, so be sure to give your drain issue a thorough investigation before attempting any of these. If you are unsure, remember that plumbers deal with these issues every day and that the best practice is to consult with them first.
