Blocked Drains: Techniques To Clear Them

We all know when it's coming. The sink keeps water around for much longer before draining it, the unpleasant odours start emanating from the bathrooms and a weird choking sound may be heard when draining your bathtub. All those are signs that the end of your drains is near, and then one day, they clog. What next? The emergency plumber may not be in your budget list, and you've got no plumbing expertise. Well, here are some ways you can clear the blockage. This may save you from throwing your money in the drain too.

Hot water

This is an easy one and can be particularly helpful in the kitchen sinks because the block may be due to accumulated fats. Get a kettle and boil as much water as it can hold. Run to your blocked drain and slowly pour the water in intermittent stages as you let it do its magic. Alternatively, if your blockage persists, fill up the sink to the brim with hot water and then let it flow. This will completely fill the pipe and take care of the debris present by moving them to the main line.

Baking soda and vinegar

Another way to take care of those annoying clogs is to use baking soda and vinegar. When mixed, the two fuzz up really vigorously and that can be used to shake up and dissolve the blockages in the clog.

Mix the two compounds in equal proportions and pour the solution down the drain; immediately the fizzing starts. Give it a few hours then flush with hot water. Alternatively, you can add baking soda down the drain then pour vinegar afterwards.

You could also perform the same procedure using salt and baking soda. Pour the mixture into the drain and after a few minutes, add boiling water. This trio combination produces a chemical reaction that is able to dissolve even the nastiest dirt.

Clean the pipe

If your sink is blocked, then there's a high probability that it's the pipe right below that is causing the problem. Don't fret, you don't need any plumbing expertise for this. Place a bucket below the trap under the sink to collect any water that may spill. Loosen the slip nuts. Then remove the pipe and turn it upside down to empty its contents into the bucket. Rinse the pipe as you try and reach for debris that may be in your pipe. Finally, clean it and then screw it back. In most cases, that'll clear the drain.

For more information, contact a business such as RMC.