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It’s an awful feeling when you’re going about your daily chores and come to do the washing up to find that your water is taking much longer to drain than usual. Maybe you’ve flushed the toilet, and the water is rising rather than draining away. These are a couple of indications that your drain is blocked and needs unclogging.
You may think you need to search straight away for “drain services in Southport” , or even drain unblocking Liverpool if you’re nearby, but you’d be pleased to know that in most cases, you may be able to unclog your drain yourself. There are many ways that you can unblock your drain yourself but first, let’s take a look at the most common causes of blocked drains.
Common Causes of a Blocked Drain in Southport
Toilet Paper Buildup
Putting too much toilet paper down your toilet can stop it from flushing and will clog your drains. If the blockage is particularly bad, you could experience sewage seeping out.
Small Objects
Most people are aware that only human waste, toilet paper and water should be the only objects to go down your sink, drain or toilet. However, there are unexpected occasions where a small, foreign object might make its way to your drain and block it. This would likely be a job for blocked drain services.
Mineral Buildup
If you’re in a hard water area, you’re more likely to encounter mineral build-up. Your drains can get easily blocked by a build-up of dissolved minerals in hard water.
Food Waste
Food waste should never go down the drain. Many foods don’t break down properly, or waste like grease and oil solidify inside the pipes and cause blockages.
Dirt
Excess dirt or mud on your clothes can actually cause build-up and issues with your drains. Instead, it would be best if you rinsed or shook it off outside, away from your outside drain, before washing them inside.
Soap
Regular soap bars are typically made with fat or grease, so when the minerals in the water mix with this, it leaves hard sediment behind that clogs pipes.
Hair
Forms clogs by joining with sticky materials and grease within the drains.
By knowing these common causes of blockages, they will give you an idea of what not to put down your drains and will help you prevent your drains from blocking in the future.
Best Ways To Unclog Your Drains
1. Using A Drain Tool
One way to carry out drain unblocking in Southport is to use a drain tool that’s sometimes known as a Zip-It. This handy tool looks like a plastic stick with jagged hooks pointing upwards and spaced out along the rod. This flexible tool is long enough to push a fair way down your drain.
Once you’ve pushed it down as far as it will go, you can then twist it around a bit to grab as much grime as possible. You then slowly pull it out of the drain, which might take some tugging if you’ve managed to capture lots of gunk until you’ve got the tool out again, and you should be able to see all the residue you’ve collected. Go ahead with a flush test to check if the blockage is clear and if not, it might be worth another try.
2. Chemical Cleaners
If you feel your drain needs that extra help, you can use a chemical cleaner. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. They usually tell you to pour it down your drain and leave it to work for the time stated. If it’s a nasty blockage, then you could leave it overnight, so it has more time to dissolve the grime.
You can then flush some hot water down your drain to rinse it all away, and you should have a fully unclogged drain. If that doesn’t work, you may need to call for help from a local Southport drain unblocking company like us.
3. Organic Cleaners
If you want to avoid using strong chemicals or live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, you can use a biological or organic cleaner instead. In comparison with chemical cleaners, they’re not as strong, so they may not work entirely as well with more challenging blockages. However, they are incredibly effective in removing more straightforward blockages caused by soap or hair.
An organic cleaner works by using bacteria and enzymes to help break down molecules into smaller molecules by eating away at them. This is handy for using on a regular basis to help keep your drains clear. The bacteria will also get to work around the walls of your pipes, so your drains will be rid of grease and grime in an eco-friendly way.
4. Using A Plunger
A plunger is a widespread and efficient way of unclogging your drains and is a great tool to try before calling for blocked drain services. With patience and a bit of elbow grease, a plunger is excellent for using suction to clear blockages. If your backup seems to be a bit tricky, it may take a few goes with the plunger to remove it.
If you’ve tried several times and it still doesn’t unclog your drain, then go ahead and call for drain services in Southport.
5. Boiling Water
Using boiling water is the easiest and most cost-effective way of clearing a blocked drain. Everyone can boil water in their home, so it’s always worth a try. Simply fill up your kettle to the max level it can hold and switch it on to wait for it to boil. Next, you want to pour it down your drain slowly and in short phases, waiting for a few seconds between each time. This will allow the boiling water to tackle the problem as it travels through the pipes.
6. Soda Crystals And White Vinegar
If you’re looking for another way to unclog your drains using household items, soda crystals and white vinegar could do the trick. This method is especially handy if you’ve already tried the boiling water method and didn’t manage to help.
All you have to do is simply pour some soda crystals down the drain (you can either try half a cup or a whole cup) and then follow it straight away with the exact measurement of white vinegar. You will see a reaction happen that looks like fizzing. Give it some time to work, anything from an hour to overnight, and then you want to run through some boiling water to drain it away. You could try this a couple of times before calling for blocked drain services.
These tips shared are great methods to try to unclog your blocked drain in Southport. Here at Mersey Rod, we always look after our customers, and if any of these have helped your blockage problems, then we feel great knowing that you’ve managed to save yourself some money.
However, if you find you can’t seem to shift the problem after using these solutions, then don’t hesitate to contact us for your drain unblocking services or other surrounding areas. We are available to help 24/7 with plenty of experienced engineers who are willing to help with, advise you on and shift your blockages.
FAQs
Will soda crystals unblock a toilet?
Yes, they often can! Pour half a cup of soda crystals into the toilet, follow with hot (not boiling) water, and let it sit for a while. It helps break down blockages caused by toilet paper and grime.
Can I use soda crystals for cleaning drains?
Absolutely. Soda crystals are a safe, affordable way to clean out grease, soap scum, and other build-up in your kitchen or bathroom drains.
How do I fix an outside drain blocked with toilet paper?
For outdoor blockages, try pouring soda crystals followed by hot water. If that doesn’t work, a mix of soda crystals and vinegar can create a fizzing action that helps loosen stubborn paper buildup.
Are soda crystals and vinegar good for unblocking drains?
Yes—they create a chemical reaction that tackles grease, hair, and other gunk. Just pour the crystals first, then vinegar, and wait at least an hour before flushing with hot water.
Do soda crystals work on blocked sinks?
Definitely. If your kitchen sink is draining slowly, soda crystals can break down old food particles and grease. They’re ideal for regular sink maintenance.
How often should I clean drains with soda crystals?
Once a month is usually enough to prevent buildup and smells. Just pour some down the drain with hot water to keep things flowing smoothly.
Is it safe to use soda crystals outside in garden drains?
Yes—soda crystals are eco-friendly and won’t harm plants or soil. They’re great for tackling outside drain issues without harsh chemicals.
What’s the best way to use soda crystals to clean drains?
Pour about half a cup of soda crystals into the drain, add the same amount of vinegar, and let it sit for an hour or more. Finish with boiling water to flush it through.
Who should I call for a blocked drain in Southport?
If DIY methods don’t work, it’s best to call a local drain specialist in Southport—like Mersey Rod—for professional help.
What causes frequent toilet paper blockages in outside drains?
Too much toilet paper flushed at once or older plumbing can cause clogs. Regular maintenance with soda crystals and prompt action on slow drainage can help avoid major issues.