Before You Call an Emergency Plumber Here Are 5 Ways to Clear a Blocked Drain

Every household has probably experienced a blocked drain at some point or other. Often the remedy is simple. All that’s needed is to remove pieces of food or a congealed hairball that’s stopping the water from escaping. Other times, it may appear more serious.

However, before you call an emergency plumber, here are five tried and tested ways to clear a blocked drain that you may want to try before you reach for the phone.

1. Boiling Water

The easiest way to removed blockages in your pipework is to pour boiling water down the drain. Do this slowly, little by little, to allow the water to dislodge whatever’s down there.

2. A Wire Coat Hanger

A ‘straightened’ wire coat hanger can be a useful tool for hooking and removing blockages from your pipework. Be sure to create a small hook at one end of the straightened hanger and then feed the hanger into the drain. Try not to push the accumulation of debris further down the pipework; the recommended method is ‘hook and pull’ followed by flushing with boiling water to disperse any blockage residue.

3. Baking Soda and Vinegar

This tried and tested mixture can be used to cure many household problems, including drain blockages. Simply combine equal amounts of the baking soda and vinegar, and as it starts to fizz, pour it down the drain. The mixture needs to be left in situ for as long as possible to work its magic – overnight if possible. Then rinse clear with hot water the following morning.

4. Baking Soda and Salt

Similar to the mixture above, equal amounts of soda and salt are combined together and poured down the drain. After 20 minutes, add boiling water and wait for a few moments for a chemical reaction to occur. It’s this reaction that will loosen the blockage.

5. Clean the U-Bend

Sometimes the only remedy is to remove the U-bend and clean it. You’ll need to place a bucket under the U-bend before you remove it to catch any water that may escape. A plumber’s wrench will enable you to loosen the nuts and then you can finish off the removal by hand.

You’ll need to turn the U-bend upside down to release any debris or use your coat hanger to hook out any persistent deposits, before rinsing the bend with hot water and replacing.

Sometimes Only Professional Help Will Do

Of course, sometimes the blockage is a little more stubborn, and you’ll need to call in the professionals. That’s why it makes sense to have an emergency plumber in Port Stephens on speed dial for fast and reliable help.

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Created on Feb 5th 2019 03:23. Viewed 592 times.

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