5 Handy Tips On How To Clear A Blocked Drain | Network Plumbing

Foreign Objects In The Drainage System

You might be surprised by the objects people will flush down the toilet bowl. Your toilet is often mistaken for being a bathroom bin. From nappies, sanitary items, cotton buds, cat litter, kids toys and the notorious ‘flushable wipes’, all these items should not be flushed down and into your plumbing services.

Foreign objects that don’t dissolve quickly enough or not at all will cause solid blockages quite fast, especially in a busy household. Even in homes with only a few people, there is usually a gradual accumulation of hair traveling down the shower drain which can be the reason behind a slow blockage. Without some form of intervention, slow blockages will soon become more severe blockages, requiring a professional service to clear the pipes in question.

Grease, Fats & Food Scraps

Blocked kitchen sinks can usually result from cooking oil and food scraps making their way down your kitchen drain. Grease build-up can stick to the sides of your drains, gradually building... making the drain narrower and narrower, until wastewater cannot pass through and more drastic measures need to be taken.

An Aged Drainage System 

If your plumbing system is on the aged side of life, older pipes like metal or ceramic pipes will face particular weakness. Older metal pipes attract mineral deposits like magnesium and calcium on the inner walls. These deposits can grow to become obstructive, especially in corners. 

Ceramic pipes may experience misalignment over the years with natural ground movement. When a drain no longer connects perfectly, materials like dirt and debris can make their way inside your drain, building up and eventually creating a blockage in the drain opening.

Tree Roots

Single-handedly the most common cause for a blocked drain, especially your outdoor drains, naturally. Whether your plumbing system is in close proximity to trees or the trees have managed to make their way to your drains... when roots enter your system no local hardware store-bought drain cleaner will do the trick. Unblocking drains that have been invaded by tree roots requires a totally professional drain clearing solution to remove stubborn blockages like tree roots.

Easy Drain Cleaning Solutions

Hot Water

Boiling water is effective for minor build ups of fats and greases inside your pipes. This often works best for blocked kitchen drains, as the fats and grease are melted by the boiling water, reducing the build-up. You can also do this periodically to forestall blockages. 

If your plumbing system is primarily PVC pipes, be cautious with pouring boiling water down your drains. Hot water is acceptable but boiling water can potentially damage the system.

Baking Soda And Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar work well for a simple solution. You can make a drain cleaner using the following recipe: 

• 1/2 cup salt, 
• 1/2 cup bi-carb,
• 1 cup of vinegar 
• 1 cup hot water 

You can pour them one after the other down the drain, but you can also mix the lot and dump it in the troublesome kitchen sink. The good news is that these are readily available items, and only minimal energy is required.

Cleaning the U-turn Of Your Clogged Drains

The U-shaped pipe should be the first place to check for a blockage, especially in a kitchen sink. Food particles are often trapped in the U-bend. A U-turn bend is relatively easy to undo. It comes with screw-on ends which you can easily unscrew using your hands alone. Place a bucket underneath the plumbing fixtures before you begin, this will help to catch any cold water or particles hidden inside. Unscrew the ends, and shake the U-turn bend to remove clogged particles. 

Commercial Drain Cleaners 

Most hardware stores in Australia stock commercial drain cleaners like caustic cleaners, Drain-O and Hydrochloric acid. These are highly corrosive liquids that can potentially burn away whatever is causing the blockage. They are readily available but highly dangerous.

You pour the cleaner down the drains and wait 20-30 minutes, then pour water. You may have to repeat a few times. It is essential to read the instructions on the label carefully before you use the caustic cleaner. It is also advisable to wear gloves and protective goggles while working with such chemicals to loosen blockages. One common mistake that leads to burns is pouring hot water after the cleaner. This can cause a violent chemical reaction with the cleaner. 

While this drain cleaning method is widely available, we recommend enlisting the services of a trained plumbing professional to assist with your blocked drain instead of using toxic chemicals.

The Plunger 

The good old-fashioned plunger is surprisingly effective at clearing blocked drains. It works by the simple physics of forcing air down the drain, which pushes the blockage out. You can create more pressure by covering the airflow with a damp cloth before placing the plunger. Ensure all other openings like a second tap, are closed before working the plunger.