Tips to Unblock a Drain by a Cronulla Plumber
Tips to Unblock a Drain by a Cronulla Plumber
Have you noticed a foul smell coming from your kitchen sink? Does your bathtub take forever to drain? Do you hear constant gurgling sounds every time you finish washing your hands?
These are all signs that you have a blocked drain, and trust us, you’re not the only homeowner it’s happening to.
Blocked drains are the bain of every homeowner’s existence. Fortunately, there are a few home remedies for unblocking drains or. Read on for some quick tips for unblocking your drain.
Tips For Unblocking Your Drain
It can be difficult to determine exactly what is blocking your drain.
It can be several things, such as grease, soap, food bits, and oil that have come together to create a solid obstruction. If you have children it can be a small toy, your own hair, or it can be an environmental factor such as the roots of a large tree.
Of course, the following tips won’t work on a tree, but they will on some of the other things.
Here’s what you can do:
Boil Some Water
Hot, boiling water is a simple (and free) solution for breaking down food clumps, grease, and residual soap leftover from washing hands and dishes.
All you need is plain boiling water, and for a little extra strength, some dish detergent.
However, if your home has PVC piping, you don’t want to pour boiling water down that drain as it can melt or damage your plumbing. Instead, use hot water and see if it works.
DIY Natural Drain Cleaner Solutions
Another great and affordable option is a solution made from baking soda and white distilled vinegar. The solution is both acidic enough and abrasive enough to scrape your pipes and break down any lurking solids.
Just make sure you flush your drain with hot water to clean up afterwards.
Use a Chemical Cleaner
Chemical cleaners, also known as commercial caustic cleaners, are many homeowner’s go-to solutions for clearing out blockages. The chemicals in these cleaners are strong enough to dissolve all kinds of solids, including hair, and even grease.
However, these chemicals can be fairly hazardous, so you’ll need to wear protective gloves and eyewear to keep yourself safe.
You’ll also want to use cold water to rinse your pipes and get rid of any leftover cleaner. It’s important to note, however, that commercial caustic cleaners should not be used on any type of plastic plumbing or old plumbing as it can burn through the material.
Use Your Plunger
While it won’t work on hair or grease, you can use your regular toilet plunger to create a force that can shift bulkier obstructions.
Before you take the plunger to your drain, make sure any overflow drains or secondary drains are sealed off to prevent water or waste from popping up where it shouldn’t.
Use a Drain Auger
A drain auger—which is a plumber’s snaking tool—is perfect for jostling blockages to break them up or pull them out.
If you don’t have a drain auger, no worries. You can reform a wire hanger from the closet and use that to snake your drain.
Get Your Drain Unblocked Today
When it comes to smaller blockages, the above tips provide for a more time-saving and money-saving solution. You can also take preventative measures to keep your drains clear simply by cleaning and maintaining them regularly.
However, as mentioned earlier, there are some blockages you won’t be able to handle on your own—and shouldn’t try to do so.
When it comes to serious plumbing issues and If you live in Cronulla, contact Curran Plumbing. Don’t worry, we have our own augers.
