Are you aware that blocked drains are one of the most common and seen plumbing problems that Australians encounter every single day? In fact, blockages can be awful because they strike when you least expect them. That is why it is always a good idea to be prepared when one occurs.

When left untreated, blockages in a drainpipe can cause the water to leak from your home and damage your home or business. In even worse cases, blockages can result in burst pipes which can make you spend a lot of money to fix. Here are some of the best tips for unblocking a drain.

How to Clear a Blocked Drain

Looking for ways to clear a blocked drain? Well, let’s take a look!

Boiling Water

If you’re looking for an easy and quick fix for your blocked trains, it is a good idea to pour a pot of boiling water into the train. This is usually enough to loosen or completely dissolve the blockage without having to call a qualified plumber. You should only use this method on ceramic or metal pipes as heat can mess with PVC pipes.

For PVC pipes, instead, you should use warm/hot water as opposed to boiling water.

Natural Cleaner

You can easily create a natural cleaner using bicarbonate soda and white vinegar. All you need to do is pour the bicarbonate into the drain and follow it with vinegar. Make sure you cover the drain in order to stop the mixture bubbling out of the pipe.

The chemical reaction that is produced by the bicarb and vinegar produces oxygen that does an excellent job of scouring the pipe to remove blockages.

Caustic Cleaner

You can head to your local shop or hardware store to purchase caustic chemical drain cleaners. These cleaners are great at dissolving hair, grease, food, and other things that usually cause blockages. However, caustic cleaner can be very harmful for the environment which is why it should be used as sparingly as possible.

When using it, make sure you protect your face and hands.

Plunger

A plunger is yet another great way for you to clear a blocked drain. Make sure you cover any overflow spouts before you begin so you can create a very strong seal. The pressure created by the plunger can often loosen any blockages to help your pipes.

DIY Drain Snake

A DIY snake is an excellent way to move more severe blockages. It can help you chip away at the blockage until it completely clears. It is important to remember that snakes do have limited range so the blockage will need to be up the top of the drain for the snake to be effective.

Plumbers Drain Snake

A plumber’s drain snake is excellent for removing blockages. The rotating coil at the end spins rapidly in order to remove the blockage. The downside is that they can damage your pipes, so they need to be the last option.

CCTV

When snaking doesn’t do its job, CCTV can be used to see where the clog is. A camera will be inserted to assess the severity so a plan can be made to remove it.

Hydro Jet

Hydro-jets force a very strong stream of water through your pipes to try to dislodge the blockage. This method is far safer for your pipes but not as effective as snaking.

Excavation

In extreme cases, you may need to undergo an entire excavation for your pipes. A plumber will be able to identify the blockage to know which pipe needs to be excavated. This can be complicated so you will need a qualified plumber.

Pipe Relining

When your pipes have become damaged due to a long-standing blockage, pipe relining is an excellent option. Flexible tools are used to reline the pipe after the offending blockage has been removed.

The Bottom Line

If you’re dealing with a blockage, these tips will help you fix this pesky blockage!