How To Unblock A Drain Pipe In Your Home | Network Know How
Unblocking A Drain At Home
Want to know how to effectively clear drain blockages? There are some steps you can take to help relieve your blocked drains. Bear in mind, not all blockages are created equal. Your plumbing system may have years of debris built up, cracked pipes that have allowed dirt into the drains or your pipe might have completely collapsed in some cases.
Our plumber's how-to guide is designed to help with small blockages found in your plumbing system... not a solution to drain blockages that have built up over time and could be causing further damage to your plumbing system. If you notice the signs of a blocked drain or blocked toilet and our easy-to-follow, how-to still leaves you with the symptoms of a blocked drain, you'll need to seek the help of a professional plumber to assist with your drain blockage. If a drain unblocking remedy isn't effective, the problem may require much more than hot water, baking soda, and vinegar.
Not all over-the-counter chemical drain cleaners will be able to combat your clogged drain. Be careful when purchasing chemical cleaners from most hardware stores. Drain cleaners like caustic cleaners should be handled with extreme care, rubber gloves and all.
Our plumbers recommend avoiding the use of drain cleaners that work on the basis of a chemical reaction, these types of products can cause severe burns and potentially do more damage to your metal or ceramic pipes. Our plumbers never use chemical drain cleaners.
Informing our plumber about all forms of unblocking remedies is always the best practice. By sharing information, our plumbers can take the required steps to help safeguard themselves and of course your household and plumbing system as well.
How to unblock the drain pipe suffering from a blockage
All 5 methods listed below are suitable for small blockages and maintaining your affected drain. These methods are environmentally friendly without being reliant on a chemical drain cleaner, like caustic soda.
However, more severe blockages will require intervention from a blocked drain specialist to assist in the diagnosis and treatment to clear a blocked drain.
List of services
-
Boiling WaterList Item 1
To pour hot water down your sink is considered a healthy way of maintaining your plumbing. The boiling water may act as a softener to loosen any grease build-up that may have occurred throughout the years. Being in a habit of regularly pouring boiling water down your sink will help you see the greatest benefit from this method. Consistency is key.
Boiling water is environmentally friendly but when handling boiling water please be careful. It is important to note that you should not take this option if you have PVC pipes. The pipes could soften creating kinks that would further worsen the issue.
-
Vinegar and Baking SodaList Item 2
You can use this option in conjunction with hot boiling water. Try pouring a cup of baking soda, then add 2 cups of vinegar, then seal your drain hole. The mixture of baking soda and vinegar creates foam which will hopefully react with the build-up of hidden debris. Give this process a few minutes to take effect on your drains. This makes it easier for hot water to drain the plumbing issues away and out of your pipe.
-
PlungerList Item 3
A plunger can usually be picked up at your local hardware store. It's often a handy tool to keep on hand. It is ideal to use a cup-shaped plunger for the maximum introduction of pressure in your drainage pipes.
Fill your blocked sink with warm water, begin plunging... quick, fast plunging is the best way to work. After around 60 seconds, lift the plunger. Is the warm water beginning to drain? If not, continue the process again.
If this process is unsuccessful and you're still suffering from blocked drains, enlist the help of our expert plumbers to clear your blocked drain.
-
Wire HangerList Item 4
If you have a spare wire coat hanger, this could be used in conjunction with a plunger. If you can use a torch to identify the small blockage in your sink, bend or manipulate the hanger to create a small hook to pull the blockage out. Using this method along with a plunger would ideally bring the blockage closer to the sink opening.
-
U Bend Removal
Another effective method to clear your blocked drain is to remove the U-shaped pipe beneath your sink. Place a bucket underneath the U bend. Slowly unscrew the two connections, these would usually be plastic fitting joints on either side called unions. If water begins to escape, wait until all the water has been caught in the bucket. Once the bend has been removed, inspect it. You might find it handy to clear it out with an old toothbrush if needs be.
Risk of leaving a blocked drain
If the previous home remedies using household items prove to be unsuccessful, don't leave your blocked drain. To unblock a drain does require a certain skill set to effectively transition from block to no block, so don't feel bad. Sometimes a cup of baking soda or chemical drain cleaner just won't cut it.
By leaving your plumbing problems and not clearing your blocked drains you're potentially doing damage and increasing your risk of finding yourself in an emergency plumbing situation.
A blocked drain could be the cause of burst pipes, water damage, leaking pipe, or end up being the reason behind a complete drain replacement. Tree roots or solid blockages should never be left untreated.
When to call in the Blocked Drain Professionals
Call our drains experts 24/7 actually. Our operating hours are 24 hours a day. If you do find your blocked drain has gone beyond simply DIY fixes, our plumbers are ready to save and unblock those drains.
To unblock a drain, our plumbers usually follow the next steps.
List of services
-
Assessment of DrainsList Item 1
Before any unblocking or repairing takes place, it is important to assess the possible location of the blockage. A thorough onsite inspection of the pipe’s surroundings can help our plumber determine the cause and the location of the drains issue. This is done by using a CCTV drains camera.
-
Clearing the Blockage from the drainsList Item 2
Completely clearing the blockage can be done by using a high-pressure water jetter, not a drain snake. We no longer use what is known as a drain snake or drain auger. Instead of drain snakes, our plumbers prefer the power of the high-pressure water jetter. It can efficiently clear dirt, sand, grease, or tree roots.
-
CCTV InspectionList Item 3
To accurately assess the extent of the damage that may have been caused by the blocked drain, it is best to inspect your pipes with a CCTV camera. This effective tool can establish a visual assessment and will pinpoint the exact location of the damage done to your drains, this vital part will clearly identify the extent of repair that may be needed.
-
Avoiding Further Blockages PermanentlyList Item 4
If there has been damage caused to your drains, your drains will need to be restored. Network Plumbing are experts at pipe relining. When you investigate pipe relining as a solution, you'll be looking at a permanent solution to protecting your drains from a tree root potentially entering again.
Relining is a trenchless procedure, meaning there will be no digging. Keep your gardens, pavers, and driveways in tactic. This technique is cost-effective and non-disruptive. You’ll have new and more durable pipes without digging out the old ones.
Whilst some DIY techniques are effective on some occasions, it is always best to contact the professionals like Network Plumbing in unblocking your drain pipes. You can choose to deal with the problem with an uncertain result or invest in something that will have a long-term solution.
You might also like
Book a Service Today
Open 24/7 Genuine Guaranteed Service!
Navigation
Contact
ABN- 94 959 321 005
LIC- 218701C