A clogged drain can really be annoying, especially if the plunger no longer does wonders. It is even more frustrating if there seems to be no way in making the water go down the drain. Thereby, if you are suffering from a blocked drain, consider some of the tips below which may aid you in getting a solution.
Use a bent wire
This amazingly simple solution may prove to be effective, especially in shower drains where the clog is commonly caused by hair. Take a regular wire and bend one end to create a hook. Push that end past the drain cover before you start fishing for those unruly hair, or whatever it is that may cause the blockage. However, you must take the necessary precautions because instead of pulling the gunk out, you might end up pushing the obstacle more. Nevertheless, if you feel like you got as much gunk out as you can, try running hot water in the drain.
Try the baking soda and vinegar solution
This solution is known to dissolve hardened fat from cooking oils. This is the reason why pouring a baking soda and vinegar solution works well in kitchen sinks. However, it also does wonders to a bathroom sink or any other clogged drain. You just need to ensure that there is an equal part of baking soda with vinegar. When you pour the solution in the drain, you will hear a certain sizzling sound and the fizzing action will help remove or dissolve whatever it is that is blocking your pipe. You need to let the solution sit for at least an hour or even overnight if possible. After which, you can proceed on flushing your drain with hot water.
Boiling water
You can also try and clear the blocks in your drain by pouring boiling hot water in your drain. The key thing is that the water needs to be boiling hot to be able to dissolve any organic matter that may be causing the clog. However, remember not to use boiling water if you have PVC pipes because the heat of the water may cause the joints of the pipes to loosen. Nevertheless, as much as possible, pour the boiling hot water directly down the drain.
When to call for help
If neither of the methods above seem to work and you have already tried all other viable means, then perhaps it is time to let the experts step in. Zambezi is one of the experts in commercial plumbing. Thus, they have the right tools and equipment necessary to free up your pipes from any blockages. More often than not, plumbing experts have high pressure drain cleaners used to clear clogs and even CCTV drain cameras to inspect the potential cause of the clog, as well as the damage to the pipes.
How to maintain blockage-free pipes
In order to keep your pipes free from clogs, it is best to avoid pouring grease and fat down your kitchen sink. More often than not, this is the cause of blocked drains in kitchen sinks. You may want to empty the grease or fat into a separate container to be able to dispose of it separately. To keep your toilet free from blockages, it is best to avoid throwing rubbish in it. As much as possible, only human waste and toilet paper must go down with it. You may also want to consider drain strainers to trap hair, food, and other debris from going into your drain and causing blockages and clogs.
You can also run hot water at the end of each day to ensure that any fresh build up are washed away. Every once in a while, you can also add a couple of handfuls of baking soda to your drains, followed by hot water. This will also eliminate the unpleasant odors in your drain. Finally, consider enlisting the help of the experts once or twice a year to clean your pipes. This is to ensure that your pipes are also clean to avoid the buildup of bacteria which may be harmful to your family’s health.
Blocked drains or clogged drains are often times a nuisance to any household. While there are several ways to free up the blockage in your drain systems, sometimes the help of the experts was already necessary. In case your drains are already free from clogs, the best thing to do is to ensure that these are maintained properly to be assured that you won’t have to undergo the same problem again.
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