Common Home Remedies to Clear Blocked Drains

A clogged drain can be real trouble, and it can leave the sink or the shower completely unusable. Although it is urgent, not all blocked drains need a harsh chemical or a plumber. You can clear the blockage using common home products and basic plumbing tools.

Do you have a blocked drain in Sydney? If the clogs are minor, you can fix them yourself. The first thing you need to do is to determine the exact problem. The common reason why your drain is blocked is because of the buildup of debris that needs to be cleared away. If you use harsh chemicals on them, it will drive the clogs further down the drain, and it will be harder to reach. Instead of trying to flush down the debris with harsh chemicals, try these common home remedies to clear blocked drains.

Soda

Even if you are not a soda drinker, having a bottle of soda around the house can come in handy when you need to unclog your drain. For the soda to be effective in clearing blocked drains, it should be at room temperature and not a diet soda.

Sodas have a corrosive property that can dissolve the debris when you pour them in the drain and leave it for an hour or two. This remedy is superior to chemical drains that can damage the pipes and even your skin when you accidentally splash them on you.

Boiling Water

One of the most commonly used home remedies for blocked drains is boiling water. You can use it in the sink, shower, and toilet. One caution though, you cannot use it on PVC pipes. This method is simple; you only need to boil water in a pot or kettle and carefully pour it down the drain. Make sure that the hot water does not come into contact with your sink if it is porcelain. It is one of the most effective ways to unclog the drain because it melts the oil buildups and dissolves the debris.

The Trusty Plunger

Every home has a plunger or two because it is a tried and tested tool to unclog the sink. You can use a flanged toilet plunger for the toilet and a sink plunger for the sink. A larger plunger is more useful because it creates more suction and thereby quickly unclogging the drain. When using the plunger, the secret is in the seal that you get between the sink and the plunger. By merely creating fast and sharp plunging motions, you can successfully unplug a sink or toilet.

Hand Drain Snake

Some DIYers invest in a drain snake in case there is a clogged drain. It works by snaking steel wire into the drain. Then the snake is twisted until it hits the barrier and removes the debris. Using this tool requires more work as you have to remove the trap before snaking.

Cleaning the Sink Trap

Most sink drains are clogged in the trap. This is the U-shaped pipe beneath the sink. It is essential because it stops the sewer gasses from getting back and out into your home. Because of its shape, it accumulates the debris on its bend. To clean the sink trap, you need to loosen the pipe with the right tool. Other designs have a cleanout plug at the bottom of the bend, and you only have to remove it and let the contents out. You can use a straightened metal hanger to dislodge the blockage in the pipe.

If Home Remedies Don’t Work

Some drain problems need to be solved by a professional plumber. At Beez Neez Plumbing we help you clear out blocked drains no matter what the cause of the problem is. Give us a call, and our team of friendly and professional plumbers will be on your way.