How to Unclog Drains
We all know how frustrating it can be when the drain is clogged.
Early warning signs include sinks that take longer to drain and the pooling of water around the feet when taking a shower. Sometimes, this is accompanied by unpleasant odours that pose a health risk to you and those nearby.
If you are having clogged drains, it is only a matter of time before the drain becomes completely blocked.
This requires immediate action before you deal with more serious problems that include the wrath of burst pipes. Smelling bathrooms can make it very uncomfortable to take a shower. Below is how to unclog blocked drains.
Use a bent wire hanger. . . . This is a simple yet effective method.
Take an old wire coat hanger you do not use and straighten it to make it longer. Then, create a hook by bending one side over. Push it past the drain cover and begin fishing to get hair and other stuff out.
Remember to be careful to pull gunk out instead of pushing it in further. Once you’ve managed to remove as much dirt as possible, run hot water to clear things up and restore your drain to what it was before the blockage.
Use vinegar and baking soda. This is yet another method commonly used to clear clogged drains. Mix half a cup of vinegar with half a cup of baking soda.
Ensure you are ready to pour the mixture down the drain as soon as it starts fizzing. The fizzing action removes the dirt, grime, gunk, and hair built up in the pipe. Give it time to do its work, possibly one hour or leave it overnight before flushing with hot water.
Alternatively, you can pour the dry baking powder down the drain before adding vinegar so that they can mix in the drain and fizz while in there.
Use Boiling Water
You can also opt for boiling water, which has shown to be effective in melting the grease, oil, and scum that tend to clog the drain over time. Just boil water in a kettle and pour it down the drain slowly in three stages, giving it enough time between each pour to do the work. This is often used by many households because it is simple and inexpensive.
Cleaning the pipe is also another effective method although it can be a bit messy.
This involves using a wrench to loosen the nuts holding the pipe below the sink and emptying the contents of the U-shaped pipe beneath the sink in a bucket.
You can also remove the ‘trap’ and turn it upside to complete the action by hand. However, you may have to do some fishing to remove the gunk. Rinse with water and put everything back together the way you found it.
Drains get clogged over time and you can use any of these tips to clear them. However, if no method works for you, you can contact a professional drainage expert in Essex, Kent, London, or any other part of the UK near you.
