7 Easy Ways To Unblock A Blocked Drain

Introduction to Drain Blockages

Blocked drains are a frequent annoyance for both households and businesses. Clogged pipes prevent wastewater from properly draining, leading to foul odours, flooding, and potential health hazards from bacteria buildup. It’s incredibly frustrating when your sink and tubs won’t drain, making it impossible to wash dishes or take a shower properly.

Common drain blockage culprits are everyday items such as hair, grease, and soap scum, as well as serious complications like tree roots infiltrating pipes. Debris build-up over time restricts water flow, leading to potential backups when the water cannot pass through. Blockages may stem from obstructions in your sewer lines or internal plumbing.

It’s important to address blocked drains promptly before the problem worsens. Letting clogs persist can back wastewater up into pipes and cause extensive damage. Basic do-it-yourself methods can solve simple clogs, but severe blockages may require professional plumbing services.

This article outlines common methods to clear household drain blockages. We will provide guidance for preventing future clogs through regular maintenance. When DIY methods aren’t effective, we’ll advise the best course is tackling one of the most common issues - contacting a professional plumber for assistance.

What Causes Clogged Drains?

There are several common causes of clogged drains in homes and businesses:

Accumulated Hair and Grime

Regularly running hot water can help prevent hair and soap scum from sticking to drain pipes and causing obstructions. The accumulation of debris increasingly restricts water flow, ultimately blocking the pipe completely. Bathroom sink and shower drains are especially prone to hair clogs.

Food Waste and Grease

Allowing too much food scraps, oils, and dish soap to go down your kitchen sink leads to thick greasy deposits adhering to drain walls. Food particles get trapped and rot under the sink, while fats and oils coagulate and build up, creating blockages in your pipe.

Tree Roots

Tree root intrusions block drains when roots penetrate the pipes’ cracks and joints, creating obstructions. Roots love the warmth and moisture inside drains.

Foreign Objects

Miscellaneous items often get accidentally flushed or washed down sinks and become stuck in drain bends. Some common culprits include toys, produce stickers, wet wipes, dental floss, and feminine hygiene products.

Improper Waste Disposal

Drains become clogged when unsuitable materials are flushed or poured into them regularly. Avoid pouring fats or harsh chemicals like paint down any drain; instead, know how to dispose of them properly to prevent blockages. Only human waste and toilet paper can do down toilets safely without causing clogs.

Preventing debris from entering drains is an effective measure to reduce future clogging. For example, when it comes to preventative measures, it’s sensible to pour down boiling water in stages to help dissolve minor clogs before they worsen. However, Even with diligent maintenance, the task of clearing a blocked drain in your home may still require some hot water treatments over time from typical usage.

Preventing Future Blockages

Here are some tips to help avoid future drain blockages in your home:

• Use drain strainers in sinks and tubs to catch hair, food scraps, and other debris before it goes down the drain.
• Avoid pouring fats, oils, and grease down the sink to prevent clogs as these substances can solidify and line the pipes.
• Only flush toilet paper and human waste down toilets to keep drains clear.
• Don’t use the toilet or sink as wastebaskets - avoid flushing non-degradable items like wipes or hygiene products.
• Pour boiling water down drains weekly to clear soap scum and break up minor blockages.
• Use enzyme drain cleaners monthly to dissolve organic gunk and keep pipes flowing freely.
• Inspect exterior drains and hot water systems periodically and trim back nearby trees and roots as needed.
• Hire a plumber annually for preventative drain cleaning maintenance and pipe inspections.

Addressing minor clogs promptly is key to preventing serious blockages later on. Consistent maintenance ensures drains remain unobstructed, helping avoid costly repairs.

When to Call a Professional

While basic methods may work for minor blockages, there are certain situations when it’s best to call in a professional plumber to fix the drain using specialised tools:

• If repeated DIY attempts have been unsuccessful
• For chronic, recurring clogs where standard methods fail
• When a complete blockage causes all drains in the home to back up
• If you suspect the main sewer line itself is blocked
• For outdoor drain blockages, hardware store solutions might be insufficient for those under patios or in the yard
• If you see water pooling around drains or coming into your home through the floors
• In rental properties where tenants aren’t responsible for plumbing repairs
• When mechanical augers or powered drain snakes are required
• If drain access points are in awkward, hard-to-reach spaces
• To inspect drains and pinpoint blockages with sophisticated drain camera technology
• For potential blockage your plumbing system harbours deep within the pipes
• If foul sewage odours persist throughout the home

Trying to unblock severe drain clogs without professional equipment can be ineffective and messy. When DIY methods fail, it might be time to call on our licenced plumbers, who serve regions like the Gold Coast, and come equipped with specialised tools and expertise.

Don’t hesitate to call your local plumbing experts with persistent clogged drains in Petersham, Sydney. Contact us by call, email, or online booking at any time for guidance on effectively unblocking drains and restoring your plumbing system.

Clearing a Sink Drain

Clogged sink drains are typically easy to clear with simple homemade solutions:

Boiling Water

Boiling water effectively dissolves soap scum and grease, clearing blockages. Pour 1-2 litres of boiling water to flush the drain and assist in breaking up residual grime. After pouring, let the hot water work for a few minutes before running the tap. Repeat as needed.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix one cup of baking soda with 1 cup white vinegar and send the mixture down the drain with some hot water. The fizzing action of this mixture can break up mild blockages. Let it sit covered for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Manual Removal

Use a wire coat hanger or zip tie, which can be utilised to fish out hair and debris clogging the drain. For deeper blockages, use a drain snake or auger to remove trapped gunk. Always wear rubber gloves for protection when clearing drains manually.

Steer clear of harsh chemical drain cleaners as these can harm your pipes. If home remedies fail, consider engaging a professional plumber to resolve stubborn sink clogs. Persistent or severe sink drain blockages often require specialised tools like high-pressure jetters to fully clear out your home’s drains when blocked.

Clearing a Shower Drain

A clogged shower drain can occur from buildup of hair, soap residue, and other debris. Here are some methods to try and clear the blockage yourself:

Use a Plunger

Place a plunger firmly over the drain and vigorously plunge to clear the clog, adding water to create pressure. Repeat until water starts draining freely.

Snake the Drain

Use a flexible drain cleaner, also known as an auger, to pull out trapped gunk. Turning the handle will clear the drain, as the snake reaches deep into the pipe to grab debris and pull it out when retracted. Slowly feed the snake down the drain until resistance is felt.

Make sure to be cautious not to scratch enamel surfaces.

Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. The chemical reaction will help break up soap scum. Cover and let sit 30 minutes before rinsing with hot water.

You can also If DIY methods don’t suffice, try using a professional plumber to properly clear persistent shower drain blockages.

Place a plunger firmly over the drain and vigorously plunge to clear the clog, adding water to create pressure. Repeat until water starts draining fs:

Plunging is typically the first approach to try for unclogging a toilet. Plunging is typically the first approach to try for unclogging a toilet. Quickly plunge up and down 10-15 times, which can often work out your blocked drain issues effectively. Repeat until water starts to come out and drains. Be sure to open the toilet valve during plunging to allow water in to create pressure.

Closet Auger

For stubborn clogs that won’t clear with plunging, you may need unblock your drain effectively with a closet auger (or "toilet snake"). Gently insert the auger’s wire end into the toilet drain beyond the trap. Crank the handle to feed the auger deeper until resistance is felt, then turn the opposite way to grab and extract debris.

Rinse under running water. Be cautious with the auger to prevent porcelain scratches.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

It’s best to avoid caustic chemical drain cleaners, as they can sometimes damage pipes or toilet seals and valves. For mild soap scum, pouring boiling water into the bowl and letting it sit for 15 minutes before flushing can help. This safer method can help clear simple clogs.

Contact a professional plumber to fix blocked drain if your own efforts like plunging or augering don’t solve the issue. Persistent or major toilet clogs often require specialised drain cleaning equipment to fully clear blockages deep in the wastewater pipes.

Clearing a Toilet

A clogged toilet is a common problem that can often be resolved with some simple DIY methods:

Clearing Outside Drains

Outside drains are prone to blockages from leaves, dirt, debris, and intruding tree roots. Here are some tips for clearing clogged exterior drains:

Remove Surface Debris

Remove any leaves, sticks, or debris from drain grates and catch basins. Use your rake, or your hands safely covered in gloves, to extract as much debris as possible.

Flush with a Hose

Attach a garden hose to an exterior faucet and direct the high water pressure into the drain outside. Aim the hose directly into the clogged drain opening and let it run for several minutes to help dislodge and wash away the blockage.

Use a Drain Snake

Feed a drain rod into the opening for stubborn clogs to break up and remove debris. Ensure the snake is long enough to reach blockages.

Chemical Cleaners

There are commercial drain cleaners formulated specifically for outside line blockages. Only use these after trying other methods first. Follow label directions closely.

Call a Professional

For severe clogs or extensive root intrusions that DIY methods can’t fix, contact a licensed plumber. Professionals make use of a high-pressure water jetter and augers to fully clear blocked exterior drains.

Ignoring unblocking techniques for clogged drains can result in standing water, yard flooding, and structural damage. If you suspect an outdoor drain blockage, act swiftly to diagnose and address the issue.