Drain Unblocking Tips and Advice from Expert Drainage Engineer

There will never be a good time for your drain to block, but there will come a time for every homeowner where the sink won’t empty as quickly as it normally does, or the toilet water will rise instead of flush away. It is inevitable, and having a blocked drain means you need some tricks up your sleeve to help get your pipes flowing smoothly again. Our expert drainage engineer in Liverpool is fully equipped to deal with problems like these, but we want you to be able to try some home remedies before making the phone call to bring in the professionals.

We have put together some tips and tricks to help you unblock your drains at home, without any stress and hassle.

Boiling Water

Sometimes the oldest tricks are some of the best, and this method has been tried and tested for years. All you need to do is fill the kettle with as much water as possible, and bring it to the boil. Then, slowly pour it down the drain that is blocked in stages, waiting a couple of seconds between each pour. The boiling water will travel down the pipes, and when it reaches the clog, it should dissolve any obstructions in the way. This method is particularly effective with clogs that are made up of grease, fat, oil, and soap – and is one of the easiest ways to unblock a drain with minimal effort!

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar is one of the most effective and natural home remedies that you can whip up in no time if you are looking for something a bit stronger than just boiling water. We recommend using 1/3 of a cup of baking soda and 1/3 of a cup of vinegar. You should pour the baking soda down the plug first, followed by the vinegar – and you will hear and see the concoction starting to fizz and bubble! You need to leave it alone for as long as possible, an hour minimum but ideally leave overnight for the best results. The fizzing mixture will travel to the clog and dislodge anything that has stuck to the inside of your pipes. Finally, you will need to flush any remnants away with boiling water and enjoy your clean pipes! Our drainage engineer in Liverpool suggests trying the boiling water method, followed by the baking soda and vinegar remedy for maximum results with minimal effort.

Cleaning the Pipe

This one is only for those who are handy in the home – don’t try this one if you are not into DIY! This is a more advanced way to unblock a pipe, and only attempt this if you feel confident taking apart a drain pipe. If you are, this is a fairly simple procedure that will give you clean and flowing water in no time.

Place an empty bucket under the U-shaped pipe underneath the sink that is blocked to collect any water or leaks that occur during the process. Loosen the slip nuts at either end of the pipe using a wrench and remove the curvy bit of the pipe. Empty any contents into the bucket, and fish around for any debris in either opening of the pipe using an old toothbrush. Rinse the pipe with water and ensure that it is not blocked, and then put it all back together. In most cases this will dislodge anything that is blocking your drain, and you won’t have to worry about the water draining slowly again!

Salt and Baking Soda

This is another effective and natural home remedy, using things that you will already have in your kitchen cupboards. All you need to do is mix half a cup of table salt with half a cup of baking powder and pour into the sink that has the blockage in. Leave it to work its magic for 10-20 minutes and then flush away with boiling water. The combination of all three ingredients will create a chemical reaction that should dissolve and dislodge any stubborn clogs that are causing you hassle.

Tried and Tested Plunger

If you are finding that you are still having trouble with your pipes, then your next step is to get the plunger out. You will find that a flat-bottomed plunger will work best for sinks and baths, so you won’t be able to use the plunger made for your toilet this time! Plungers are a brilliant and effective way to unblock your drains, and while they may take some strength and perseverance, they have been successful for decades in clearing household drains. You will need to follow these steps to make sure you get the best out of this simple tool:

1. Position the plunger over the plug and fill your sink with hot water until it’s about halfway full. This will create a seal around the plug to help dislodge any clogs
2. Begin pumping the plunger up and down quickly several times
3. Remove the plunger to see if the water drains
4. Repeat the process until the water is draining freely.

Bent Wire Hanger

Take an ordinary wire coat hanger and straighten it out as best as you can. Bend one end slightly to create a hook shape. Push your make shift hook through the holes in your plug and down the drain and start to feel for any blockages. You should be able to gently fish out anything that could potentially be stopping your water from draining, including clumps of hair, soap, and small blockages. You can buy some fancy gadgets that will do exactly the same job as the bent wire hanger, but it is most likely that you will have one of these in your wardrobe to try first. It is often overlooked, but can work wonders!

Chemical Cleaners

If you have tried several different methods without success, then you should try store bought chemical drain cleaners. All you need to do is pour your cleaner down the drain, leave it to sit for a couple of hours (ideally overnight!) and then flush everything out with boiling water. The chemicals in the cleaner will dislodge anything that could be causing you issues, even deep inside your pipes. This should be a last resort, and chemical cleaners can be extremely strong and if overused, then can end up corroding your pipes! You can try biological cleaners if you want to be more environmentally friendly and avoid strong chemicals, but they do have limited power when it comes to certain blockages.

If you have tried these remedies and are still getting blocked drains, or the clogs won’t budge, then it is time to get in touch with your local drain unblockers. Here at Mersey Rod, we offer a range of services to help you solve all your problems – no matter how large or small they are. From a home buyers drain survey in Liverpool right through to helping to get your toilet flushing again, we are here to help. Our aim is to give you quick and cost-effective solutions whatever the problem with our team of expert drainage engineers. Get in touch today to find out more information – and get your pipes working like brand new again.