HOW TO UNBLOCK A DRAIN IN 6 EASY STEPS
You may not think about how to fix blocked drain problems too often, but trust us - whether it's a minor issue, or a serious plumbing problem, you do need to know some basic DIY. Without clearing a blocked drain properly, you could eventually be facing leaks, burst pipes, and even health and hygiene hazards. So follow along with our 6 easy steps to learn how to clear a blocked drain, so that when the inevitable happens, you'll know exactly what to do.
1. Boil the kettle If you need to know how to unblock a drain, start by boiling the kettle. No: it's not an invitation to have a nice cup of coffee. For a simple drain blockage, pouring boiling water down the drain can be all it takes to loosen all of the gunk that has built up down there. The best thing about it? It's chemical-free and kind to the environment!
BAKING SODA
2. Baking soda Did that kettle of boiling water not do the trick? Don't despair: when it comes to knowing how to clear blocked drain problems, you can step it up a notch with half a cup of baking soda. After the boiling water goes down, add the baking soda. To really spice up the recipe, try putting a cup of vinegar down there a couple of minutes later. And do you know what you can do while you wait the 5-10 minutes for the all-natural blocked drain recipe to do its work? Boil the kettle once again - for a nice cup of coffee!
3. Use a plunger There's a very good reason why you bought that cheap plunger from the hardware store all those years ago - it's perfect for clearing a blocked drain or toilet. If the blockage is solid, a good plunge can be all it takes. Just make sure the plunger head is big enough to cover the entire opening of the drain, and that you're feeling strong and energetic for a decent little workout!
4. Drain snake Is that blockage STILL holding firm? Don't worry: your hardware store is sure to be stocking a great tool for how to clear a blocked drain in a jiffy. It's called a drain snake, and this coiled beauty is a bit like a plunger - in reverse! Instead of sucking, the drain snake is pushed down into the blockage and you then use your elbow-grease to crank it up and break that blockage down. When your arms are tired, run those taps at full pressure to flush down the blockage debris. Voila!
5. The U-bend Are none of these steps working? Seriously! Again, stop panicking and try this fifth easy step - because learning how to fix blocked drain problems is not brain surgery! You know that pipe lurking beneath your sink - the one with the 'U' shape? Welcome to your U-bend! It will be able to be unscrewed, but just ensure you've put a bucket down there first to catch the watery waste that is sure to come out. Clean the U-bend, re-attach it, and celebrate yet another tried-and-tested method for clearing a blocked drain.
6. Call your plumber If you've made it all the way to Step 6, we're really sorry - learning how to unblock a drain has really been a nuisance for you! What you've got on your hands is a serious drain blockage, so it may be time to call out the professionals! A great plumber will have specialist drain-clearing equipment in their vans, including jet blasters, CCTV cameras and (of course) years of knowledge and experience.
And don't forget, if you're really not confident with DIY, not sure what home plumbing is allowed, or you simply don't have time, it's always a good time to call your favourite friendly plumber for help. And if your plumbing problem is in Melbourne, we have some great news for you. The guys at Ezy-Plumb are standing by to help right now!
Infographic provided by
www.ezyplumb.com.au