That blocked drain might be connected to your kitchen sink; it may be your bathroom or an outside drain. Whatever the may be case, one thing is certain; unblocking a drain can be a tediousand frustrating business, especially if you have had no experience with such a task. If you have ever wondered how to get this messy job done correctly, here are some useful tips on how you can clear your blocked drainquickly and easily. You can rest assured no blocked drain will ever ruin your day again after reading this. There are basically two ways to achieving this. You can either do it yourself to save cost or employ the services of a professional to unblock your clogged drain. Let us take a look at how different types of drains can be cleaned out.
Unblocking Indoor Drain
The method used in unblocking drains within the home is different from the method adopted for outdoor drains. There are several ways to unblock clogged kitchen and bathroom sinks and tubs. To avoid flooding and to keep your home free from the horrible stench caused by clogged drains, here is what you can do.
1. Use a Plunger:This is one of the first things that cometo mind once we notice there is an impending drain blockage. You can use a plunger to suck up the debris and food particles that caused the blockage. Simply place the rubber part of the plunger on the drain while holding its handle, apply some pressure on the plunger then pull and repeat the process as many times as necessary to get the dirt out. Plunging is more effective when there is a reasonable amount of water in your sink or tub. The added pressure from the water will help force open the clog.Ensure you clean your sink and tub with water afterwards. Within few minutes you will notice that your drain is free from clogs again.
2. Vinegar and Baking Soda: This combo works wonders for blocked drains when used with hot water. Pour a cup of baking soda down the blocked drain; make sure the sink is dry when you do this. Pour about two cups of boiling water and wait a few minutes. Pour another cup of baking sodaand a cup of vinegar too. You will hear a sizzling sound and notice bubbles coming out from the drain, this is a good sign to show that your work is effective. You could mix the baking soda with the vinegar if you want to as it will achieve the same result. Add two cups of boiling water once the bubbles stop coming out. This way, you will keep your sink free from blockage. If you do this at least once in a month, you won’t have to worry about clogged sinks anymore.
3. Clean out the Pipe: Cleaning out your drain pipe is an effective way to combat a blocked drain. If you want to do a clean job here, you will need to first place an empty bucket under the u-shaped drain pipe under the sink. The bucket collects water and dirt that spill from the pipe. A plumber’s wrench comes handy here as it helps you loosen the nuts holding the pipes together. Empty the contents of the trap into the bucket after it is removed, scrub out the gunk and any debris left in it, rinse thoroughly with clean water and couple it back together with the pipe it was detached from. But make sure you clean and rinse the other part of the pipe before screwing them back together. The result is often amazing if you try this.
4. Chemical Drain Cleaner: Chemical drain cleaners are products specially made to handle drainage problems. There are many of such products in the market, Mr Muscle Clog Remover for instance. These heavy duty chemical products contain special ingredients that easily dissolve accumulated dirt, grease and debris that clog drains as well as odour neutralizers.For health and safety reasons, it is advisable to always read and follow the instructions on the product before use. Also note that there are different types of chemical compositions for different types of drain blockage. So choose the type that soothes your peculiar drainage problem. Let’s take a look at the outside drain.
How to Unblock an Outside Drain
Water and Bleach
There are certain things you must do before you can successfully unblock an outside drain. First of all you need to determine the problem then gather the necessary tools – appropriate protective clothing and a set of drain rods. Depending on how severe the problem is, you can either clear your blocked drain yourself or pay a drain expert to do it for you. You can use the following tips if you’re opting for the DIY (do-it-yourself) option.
- Open the drain cover by the handle or with a screw driver
- Take a look into the drain to identify the problem area
- Thrust the rods into the drain and keep pushing them down until you feel the obstruction give way. Turn the rods in a clockwise direction and push them forward. Pushing the rod through the blockage will help to breakup the build-up of debris, grease and grime in the drain. Remember to put on protective gloves while working with the rods.
- When you feel satisfied with your work, rinse the drain with clean water and run your taps for some minutes to determine how good a job you have done. Put some bleach in the drain to clean it up thoroughly. If this does not work for you, you can use caustic soda instead.
Caustic Soda
Use these simple steps to unblock your outside drain with caustic soda:
- Pour a few tablespoons of caustic soda down the drain
- Add water and let the mixture fizzle, this will make the garbage that caused the blockage rise to the top.
- Pour more water down the drain and pick out the debris that has risen to the surface, and your drain is free fromblockage.
Good maintenance culture is, however, the best prevention for drainage problems.