A blocked drain is perhaps the most common plumbing problem that is encountered across Australia. Blockages occur when you least expect them resulting in lots of inconvenience and damage to property. Hence, it would help if you were better prepared to deal with a blocked drain. If you leave a blocked drain untreated, it can result in blockages that can lead to water leakage from the drains. This can prove to be fatal for your business facility or home property. If you encounter severe blockages, it can also result in burst pipes. This can result in lots of expenses. You can contact www.ppssa.com.au a professional plumbing and pipeline service in South Australia with their 24/7 emergency plumbing support.
Let's now look at some of the easy ways to clear a blocked drain:
Boiling Water
If you want a quick-fix solution for your blocked drains, we recommend you try pouring a pot of boiling water into the blocked drain. In many instances, it works in loosening or even dissolving the blockage without resorting to any drastic measures.
However, we will advise you to use this method only if you have metal or ceramic pipes. The reason being, the heat can loosen joints on PVC pipes. If you are dealing with PVC pipes, we suggest you go for hot and not boiling tap water instead. This method can prove to be a saving grace, especially on grease or food build-up. But, it may not be the best solution for solid blockages.
DIY Natural Cleaner
It is very easy to create a DIY natural cleaner. You can do this by utilising the combination of bicarb soda (baking soda) and white vinegar. Just pour the bicarb into the drain, and then immediately pour the vinegar. Cover the drain so that the mixture does not come out from the pipe.
A point to ponder: The chemical reaction between the bicarb and vinegar results in oxygen, which scours inside the pipes. This assists in clearing out the blocked drain. Repeat this process several times to ensure that the blockage is cleared entirely. Once the mixture has passed through the blockage, wash the pipes with lukewarm water to get rid of the remaining residue.
Caustic Cleaner
We recommend you purchase caustic chemical drain cleaners from your local hardware store or supermarket. These chemicals are renowned for dissolving grease, hair, food, and other prevalent blockages. But, they can even harm the environment. And, so, you need to use them judiciously.
Keep this in mind: Caustic cleaners do not work on solid masses. For example, tree roots or small household items. Hence, always protect your hands and face while applying it with chemical cleaners. Next, flush your pipes with water afterwards to remove any lingering chemicals.
Plunger
A plunger is used to clear a blocked drain just when you are about to clear a clogged toilet. Whenever you decide to use a plunger, ensure that you cover any overflow spouts prior to commencing the plunging process. This will help in getting a strong seal. Since the plunger results in up-and-down pressure, it aids in loosening any blockages. This way, your pipes can flow smoothly once again. Plunging is one of the most lethal tools to counter solid blockages. However, it is not effective against grease build-up and mineral deposits.
Plumber's Snake and CCTV
A plumber's snake or electric eel tool is apt for more severe blockages. The rotating coil that you see at the end of the cable in the plumber's snake spins quickly, chipping away at the blockage. This process continues till it gets cleared.
A thought to ponder: Plumber's snake has a limited range. And, so, the blockage needs to be near the drain's opening for it to be effective. A plumber's snake can also damage your pipes, so it is best to try other methods first. You can get plumbers' snakes at most hardware stores. Alternatively, you can even hire a licensed plumber to complete the job.
Hydro-jet
Hydro-jets coerce a powerful stream of water via your pipes. The pressure that results from it then forces the blockage through the pipes and out. This results in the water flowing out once again. This method is much safer for your piping than a plumber's snake.
But it should be noted that this method is not quite effective against solid blockages. Even though you are trying hydro-jetting on your own, we would suggest that you leave this task to a professional plumber who has the necessary tools and experience to do this job with precision.
These are some of the easy ways to clear a blocked drain.
