10 Tips for Unclogging a Drain

10 Tips for Unclogging a Drain

There are actually plenty of ways you can unclog your drains yourself using things around the house, so long as your clog isn’t severe. Here are 10 effective methods. 10 tips for unclogging a drain.

1. Boiling Water

Boiling water is one of the easiest and most effective ways of unclogging your drain of things like grease and conditioner. Their low melting point allows boiling water to break them up without much difficulty, so all you have to do is pour boiling water down the drain. However, we don’t recommend this method if you have PVC pipes, as boiling water can damage them.

2. Natural Cleaners

Natural cleaners are a great way to break up blockages if boiling water isn’t doing the trick. We suggest leading with boiling water and then following it up with a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. After 10 minutes, pour more boiling water down the drain. This effective combo should get your drain cleared up in no time.

3. Caustic Cleaners

Store-bought caustic cleaners are more effective against harder-to-remove blockages, as it can dissolve substances like fat and oils. Be sure to follow the instructions and open your windows before use.

4. Plunger

Plungers form an airtight seal around your drain, creating a vacuum effect to remove blockages. While plungers are a straightforward way of dislodging blockages closer to the surface, they’re not terribly effective for blockages deeper in your pipes.

5. DIY Drain Snake

You can create your own drain snake using a coat hanger or any other mouldable metal wire. Remember to form a hook-like shape at the end to help you remove the blockage. DIY snakes are most effective at removing hair, typically in showers.

6. Plumber’s Drain Snake

If your DIY drain snake isn’t getting the job done, you may need a professional to use their own plumber’s drain snake. With their proper tools and expert manoeuvring, they’ll be able to get much further into your pipes.

7. CCTV

If you’re unsure about the location or the severity of the clog, you can hire a plumber that offers CCTV services. By running a camera into the pipe like a drain snake, the plumber can make a proper assessment of the clog before determining how to remove it.

8. Hydro-Jet

Hydro-jetting uses powerful bursts of water to flush substances out of pipes, such as natural debris. Hydro-jets are highly effective at removing large blockages, but they’re not totally precise, so you may need to follow up with some of the drain clearing methods mentioned above.

9. Excavation

Excavation may be necessary to clear out the most severe of blockages. This requires digging around the drain so that the affected pipes can be repaired or replaced.

10. Pipe Relining

You may need to have your pipes relined if the blockage has caused enough damage to them. A professional can safely reline your pipes after the blockage has been removed. This service will cost you, but it saves you the high expense of a full pipe replacement.

Clog Too Severe? Time to Call a Professional

Though you can sometimes unclog the drain yourself, there comes a point where it’s time to throw in the towel and call a professional.