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The beauty of well-functioning pipes and drains in your home or investment property is that you don’t even notice they’re there. When household drains do become blocked, it can cause mild inconvenience through to considerable damage. The good news is that most blockages can be easily resolved by following these tips on the best way to unblock a drain.

Top 10 Tips to Unblock Household Drains

1. Hot water, bicarb soda and vinegar

If you are wondering how to unblock a drain, the first (and often most effective) option is to put a cup of bicarb soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain. This will fizz and start to clean out the drain. Follow this step with pouring boiling water down the drain to wash out any build up.

2. Clear out hair and soap build-up

If water is not flowing away after your shower or in the hand basin, there could be a simple blockage caused by a build-up of hair and soap. In this situation, the best way to unblock a drain is simply lift the drain cover, remove the hair and soap scum, and the blockage may be cleared.

3. Clean the P trap

If food scraps, grease, or other debris have gone down your kitchen sink, these can cause a blockage. What is the best way to unblock a drain when this happens? Carefully loosen the P trap ensuring you have a bucket on hand to catch any water or debris in the pipe. Empty out the accumulated food waste, hair, and grease, and wash the P trap with disinfectant before replacing ensuring there are no leaks.

4. Plunge

If it is your toilet or sink is backing up with water rather than flushing as normal, you can use a plunger to create a seal over the drain which causes a vacuum effect. Then use repetitive action to clear the blockage. A plunger is a great tool to have on hand if you’re wondering how to unblock a drain.

5. Chemical and Caustic Cleaners

For stubborn blockages, you may need to consider a chemical or caustic cleaner. Always use safety gear including gloves and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure adequate ventilation if using chemicals is the best way to unblock a drain in your home.

6. A DIY wire

How to unblock a drain using a DIY wire probing device? Using a bent coat hanger or other wire form can be a great way to feel your way towards the blockage and try to manually clear it. Be careful not to force the wire into the pipe itself, as you don’t want to damage the pipe and cause further issues.

7. Call in the Professionals

Sometimes the best way to unblock a drain is by calling in the professionals. A pro tip for how to unblock a drain is a plumber’s drain snake, which is a long wire device designed for use by a trusted professional to probe deeper into the pipe to clear the blockage.

8. CCTV

What is the best way to unblock a drain? Knowledge is power. A competent professional plumbing team can use CCTV to send a small camera into the drain and pipework to detect exactly where the blockage is and see what’s going on. That information can then inform the best way to unblock a drain.

9. High pressure drains jetting

High pressure drains jetting by a professional to flush out the cause of the blockage.

10. Pipe re-lining

If there’s damage to your pipes due to prolonged blockages, pipe re-lining is a remedial work your professional team may recommend ensuring the safe and effective operation of your household drains.

What Is the Best Way to Unblock a Drain?

As you can see, the best way to unblock a drain depends on what and where the blockage is, and how long it’s been there. The remedy may be as simple as hot water and household cleaners, or more complex requiring the expert advice of professional plumbers. Either way, by following these top tips your household drains can be up and running again in no time, leaving you free to enjoy your home and life.

Need Help Unblocking Your Household Drain?

With many years’ experience and the added confidence of being WaterSafe accredited and Water Industry Approved Products and Services (WIAPS) approved contractors; you can safely trust the professional, competent team at Watermains and Drains UK. Contact Watermains and Drains UK today for peace of mind and help unblocking your household drain.