How to Unblock a Drain
Posted on 26th January 2022 at 15:35
Has your sink started to drain slower than usual? Or has a foul smell started coming from your drains? Either way, these are common signs of a blocked drain. This is always an annoying inconvenience, which is why getting it sorted is so important.
Having a quick and convenient solution is essential, which is why we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help unblock your drain.
Start With Boiling Water
This is one of the most common quick fixes for drain blockages that works wonders. Start by filling the kettle up to the maximum line and boiling it. Once this is done, pour it slowly down the drain. Be sure to do this in stages and leave a few seconds between each one. This should dissolve the blockage and get your drains functioning normally again. It’s an easy method that can be done within minutes. You could also add a small amount of washing up liquid while doing this as this will dissolve any grease within your drainpipes.
Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar
For this, you need to get ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and combine the two. After this, it should start to fizz so quickly pour the mixture down the drain and leave it to sit for around 10 minutes. Rinse this through with hot water and the blockage should clear. If you’re still having problems, repeat this process a few times.
You could also do this by pouring the bicarbonate of soda down the drain first and following up with the vinegar afterwards.
Clean the Drainpipe
Taking apart the pipe to clean it is an efficient method, but don’t attempt this if you don’t feel confident about it. Start by placing an empty box under the U-shaped pipe below your sink. Grab a wrench and loosen the slip nuts at both ends of the pipe to remove it. Empty everything from the pipe into the bucket and use an old toothbrush to clean inside the pipe. After this, put the pipes back together and the blockage should be completely gone.
Plunge Away
For this you need to ensure that the plunger is creating a tight seal between the edge of the drainage plug and the seal of the plunger. What this does is increase and decrease pressure to pull the blockage apart from the walls of the drainpipe. Following this, water should start to drain properly. Be sure to block the overflow on your sink with an old cloth while doing this as debris from the pipes will come up.
Need Professional Help?
So, there you have it, those were our top tips for unblocking your drainage system.
We hope these methods help you to get your drains fully functioning once again.
If you’re still experiencing problems with your drains after trying these methods then it may be time to call the professionals.
We’re here to help, just call us on 01604 492 701 today.
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