How do you unblock a drain in Wirral?

It’s no secret that having a blocked drain can be a nightmare problem to have. It’s such a disappointing feeling when you wash up, or shower and the water doesn’t drain properly. This tell-tale sign of an obstruction in your pipe can cause bigger and more expensive problems for you if not dealt with straight away.

Blocked drains are among the most common reasons people call for professionals to unblock their drains in Wirral. However, there are things you can do at home yourself to help clear a blockage, saving you time and money. Because we care about people saving money, we’re going to share with you our tips on how you can unblock your drain and hopefully avoid the need for a callout.

Unblocking Your Drains In Wirral

Drain Unblocker Tool

There are a few different handy tools that you can get that are great for helping pull out hair and soap scum from your pipes. One example of a drain unblocker tool is something that goes by a few names but is most commonly called a zip-it or drain snake.

This long plastic stick has several jagged hooks on it, and all you have to do is push this tool down your drain, give it a wiggle or swirl around and then pull it back out. You should pull out some good clumps of grime and can do a flush test to check how the water runs. If it’s still draining slowly, you can try a couple more times before calling for expert help.

Plunger

A plunger is one of the most effective ways to help clear a blockage at home. It’s an excellent tool to try before contacting drain professionals, whether you have a blocked toilet or sink. Place it over your plughole or bottom of your toilet bowl to create a tight seal around it, and then, whilst grabbing the handle, move your arms up and down like a pumping motion.

The vacuum effect caused by the seal should remove your clog, and any stagnant water will drain away. You can try the plunger a few times before calling for assistance.

Chemical Unblockers

You can find chemical unblockers/cleaners in most shops and supermarkets. If you have a particularly stubborn blockage, these chemicals can work wonders at attacking and dissolving any hair, grease, fat and oils you may have stuck in your pipes. Make sure you follow the instructions on the packaging to ensure you use the product correctly.

You can use these chemical cleaners on a regular basis to help keep your drains clear from grime and prevent clogs in the future. Still not managed to shift the blockage? You may need your drains unblocked by Wirral drain experts.

Natural Unblockers

You may already have household items at home that you can use to make your own natural unblockers. For example, you can run some boiling water down your drain, then pour down some bicarbonate of soda or soda crystals, quickly followed by white vinegar. Leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes and then flush more boiling water down.

This combination of household items will react with each other and cause a fizzing effect that breaks through smaller blockages. Again, this is something you can try more than once or use often to help keep pipes clear.

Boiling Water

Sometimes all it takes is some boiling water to help get rid of a clog. This won’t be a solution for major blockages, but if you happen to notice some build up in your drain, then there’s no harm in giving this a try. Just fill your kettle up, wait for the water to boil and carefully pour it all down your drain. It’s a cheap and easy trick to try as everyone has access to boiling water.

How To Prevent Blockages

Now that you have things you can try to help unblock your drains in Wirral, we’re going to tell you how you can prevent blockages from occurring in the future.

Don’t Pour Grease Down Your Drain

You should always let grease cool down and dispose of it in the bin. Because grease either gets thicker or solidifies once cool, it makes it harder to get rid of when it’s stuck around the edges of the pipes. Also, if you already have build up in your pipes and then add grease to it, it will attach to it and cause a much worse blockage.

Brush Your Hair Before Showering And Pull Any Hairs Left Behind In The Plughole After 

Hair is terrible for sticking to grime in drains and causing clogs. Before you bathe or shower, brush your hair to remove loose hairs and prevent them from going down the drain. If you notice some stray hairs have managed to wrap around the plughole or stick to the side of the bath once you’re finished, you should pick them out and put them in the bin.

Only Flush Suitable Waste Down The Toilet

The only things you should flush down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Even though some feminine hygiene products or wipes claim to be flushable, it’s best to be safe than sorry and throw them in the bin instead. Also, don’t flush too much at once either. Flushing when the toilet is too full will almost always cause a nasty clog. If you have children, you may want to invest in child-proof locks for your toilet so they can’t open it and put toys down there.

Don’t Pour Paint/Paint Thinner Down Your Drain

You’re almost guaranteed to have leftover paint/paint thinner when finishing up decorating. Whatever you do, you should never pour it down your drains. Paint will cause awful problems for your pipes and drains. Instead, you should check with your local council to find out where you can safely dispose of these products.

Use A Sink Strainer

Having a sink strainer over your plugholes is a great way to catch any scraps of food, hair and other debris and stop them from going down the drain. Always make sure it fits securely and isn’t too small or too big. If you do use sink strainers, make sure you clean them after each use to ensure they do their job effectively.

Still Need Help?

If you’ve tried unblocking your Wirral drains using these tips and you still have problems, it may be time to call the experts. At Mersey Rod, our professional drain unblockers provide a cost-effective solution for all kinds of drain problems, be it a big or small job. We tailor our services to meet the needs of each and every customer and offer a range of unblocking techniques to fix an array of issues.

We pride ourselves in providing the best service possible, which is why we are ranked as the UK’s number 1 drainage company. Clearing blocked drains is our job and what we do best, and we always go the extra mile for our customers. If you need your drains unblocked in Wirral or other surrounding areas, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, and we will help you as soon as we can.