Blocked drainage pipes are a frequent issue for people throughout the country. There are many things that can lead to a blocked drain, but the important thing is getting it unblocked quickly and safely. Depending on the type of blockage, there may be different methods for dealing with your plumbing issues. Ideally, prevention is the best option, but you can’t always account for everything. If you have blocked pipes frequently, consider consulting a professional to find a more permanent solution.
Tip #1: Determine the Type or Source of the Blockage Before you will have any success clearing out your drainage pipes, you need to determine what exactly is causing the clog in the first place. There are different removal and clearing methods for pipes depending on what you are trying to remove. A plunger, for example, might work for a soft blockage, but it isn’t going to be effective for solid masses or grease buildup. Plus, a plunger might actually cause more buildup or worsen the blockage if you aren’t careful. There are quite a few DIY options for working with blocked drains but you have to know what you are dealing with. Tip #2: Try Household Remedies First If you catch it early, a blocked drain might be able to be resolved with the help of some basic items you have around the house. The plunger was already mentioned, and can be an effective tool for less serious blockages. Another option is to pour boiling water down the drain to help loosen the clog. This might alleviate the issue and save you from resorting to more serious remedies. Keep in mind, though, that you should NEVER use boiling water in PVC pipes. If the blockage is in a PVC drain, use hot water instead of boiling. This is ideal for food and grease buildup, but may not work for solid clogs. You can also utilize household items to create natural drain cleaning and clearing solutions. An easy option is to mix bicarb (baking soda) and vinegar (white works best). Start by pouring the baking soda into the drain, then follow with the vinegar. This is going to create a reaction that bubbles up, so make sure that you cover the drain to prevent it from escaping. These bubbles will scour the pipes from the inside, clearing out small blockages and cleaning the pipes along the way. You may have to do this a few times to get the best results. Also, when you’re done, you should flush the pipes with hot water to ensure all the residue has been removed. Tip #3: Try Chemical Drainage Cleaners, But Sparingly In the event that more subtle methods aren’t working on your blocked drainage pipes, you can purchase chemical products at any local hardware store that can help clear your drains. There are a variety of products on the market, so it helps if you have an idea of what you need. Also, these products contain caustic chemicals that can cause burns to the skin, so you need to be extra careful when using chemical drain cleaners. Cleaners are available to deal with a variety of blockages. Some might offer multi-purpose drain clearing while others will focus on specific clogs. Some examples include:
- Hair clogs/bathroom specific cleaners
- Grease blockage
- Soap scum and mineral deposits
- Slow drains
- Full clogs
If you use these products to clear your blocked drainage pipes, be sure to thoroughly flush the pipes after the clog has been cleared. This will remove any chemical residue from the walls of the pipes. Also, never use drainage cleaners on a regular basis to clear clogs. The harsh chemicals aren’t great for regular use on pipes. Not only that, but if you have frequent clogs, there might be a bigger issue at hand that you need to address. It is recommended to only try this once (or twice if it is a big or solid clog) before finding another solution or calling a professional plumber. Tip #4: Don’t Put Just Anything Down the Drain This is more about prevention than resolving clog issues after the fact, but it is an important tip that many people don’t think about. Plumbers see all kinds of clogs on a daily basis that could have been prevented by monitoring what was going down the drain. Keep in mind that pipes are designed for water and sewage, not for food, hair, or other items (even if they say
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