Top Tips to Clear a Blocked Drain
Are you noticing the warning signs of a blocked drain? A sink that takes longer to empty, water pooling on your bathroom floor after a shower, or unpleasant odors coming from your kitchen are all clear indicators. A clogged drainage system must be dealt with quickly. If ignored, pipes can crack or burst, creating a costly mess.
How To Clear a Blocked Drain?
You may have already tried removing the gunk and excess hair built up on the surface, or flushing the system with baking soda and vinegar. If you are dealing with a serious blockage, those initial methods might not be enough. Before calling an expensive emergency plumber, try these highly effective DIY tips and tricks.
1. Try the plunger
A plunger is a simple and environmentally safe way to ease a blockage. The rubber cup creates suction when pushed and pulled rapidly over the drain opening. This suction breaks apart the clogged material, allowing you to rinse the area clean with soapy water.
2. Use Drain Unblocker Chemicals
Chemical unblockers use strong acids or alkalis to dissolve clogs and release heat. Because they are highly reactive, always take safety precautions. Popular options include:
- Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker (Best for hair-clogged baths and showers)
- HG Duo Unblocker (Best for heavy-duty clogs)
-
Kilrock Rhino Drain Unblocker (Highly effective general use)
3. Create a Bent Wire Hanger Hook
This sounds simple, but it is surprisingly effective. Straighten a regular wire coat hanger and bend one end to create a small hook. Push it past the drain cover and carefully fish out the trapped hair and debris. The goal is to pull the gunk out, not push it further down. Run hot water afterward to flush the pipe clean.
4. Use a Wet & Dry Vacuum
If you have a wet and dry shop vacuum, set it to vacuum liquids and cover the vent to prevent a mess. Create the tightest seal possible over the drain (you can even adapt an old plunger head for this). Turn the vacuum to its highest setting to draw the clog up the pipe and into the vacuum bag.
5. Pour Boiling Water
Here’s another easy way to deal with this:
- Boil up as much water as you can with the kettle. You may use a stove or microwave to boil water if you don’t have one.
- Pour the boiling water down the drain in two to three rounds, allowing as much hot water to work for a few seconds in between each pour. This trick is usually the quickest and easiest way to unclog drains.
- If there’s any hot water left, make yourself a cup of coffee or tea.
6. Clean the U-Bend Pipe
This job is easy and doesn’t require you to ask for help from plumbers. First, put an empty bucket underneath the U-shaped pipe below the sink. That bucket will collect the water and junk that will spill. Next, take a plumber’s wrench, and loosen the slip nuts at both ends of the pipe. You can do this operation by hand.
After freeing the trap, remove it and turn it upside down, emptying all contents into the bucket. You may also fish around inside it for debris if necessary. Next, do the same job for the pipes that were holding it. You can also use an old toothbrush to get tough junk out. Then, rinse it with water and put it all back together. This will usually do the trick.
7. Feed a Drain Snake
A drain snake is a long, flexible metal cable with a spiral end that works wonders on stubborn blockages. Insert the flexible cable into the drain opening and push it through to physically break apart the hardened particles causing the clog.
8. Flush with Washing-Up Liquid
This trick works exceptionally well for a clogged toilet. Pour a ¼ (quarter) cup of liquid dish detergent into the bowl while boiling water on the side. The detergent acts as a lubricant to break up greasy residue. Pour the hot water in and start plunging to clear the blocked drain.
