6 ways to unblock a drain

Here are some tips on how to unblock a drain and save the day:

There’s no doubt about it, blocked drains are the common cold of plumbing. No one wants one, it can mess us around for a few days or a week, it can be mild as a sniffle, or bring down the whole family. The simple fact of life is that if you have drains, you will one day – or night – need to unblock them.

1. Prevention

We all know that prevention is better than cure. The kitchen sink is a magnet for food scraps, toothpicks, steel wool fibres and shards of broken glass so try using a drain sieve to prevent build-up. After showering, collect hair from the drain, and remember – action figures, goldfish and dental floss aren’t made for flushing. Maybe keep a waste basket beside the loo for all other sanitary and cosmetic waste. Just sayin’.

2. Use hot water

Hot water may dislodge fat and food scraps from the kitchen drain, but won’t stand up to more serious blockages. The usual safety rules apply here – don’t burn yourself with boiling water or you’ll need a doctor as well as a plumber.

3. Plunger

Pump up the jam 80s style with a plunger – every household needs one, and you can even play Techtronics as you work. Plungers either push air down or suck it up, hopefully dislodging whatever surprises are lurking there. Definitely try this before putting any chemicals down the sink or there’s no guarantee what you will be resurrecting…

4. Bicarb and Vinegar

Bicarb and vinegar – this simple home remedy is effective and environmentally friendly; you can even make a salad afterwards. Put one cup of baking powder down the blocked drain, then one cup vinegar, stand back and watch it fizz. For less of a Broadway show, pop the plug over the sink hole.

5. Drain Auger

A drain auger, otherwise known as a plumber’s snake or an electric eel, is a bit like a colonoscopy for your drains. This contraption will dislodge or break-up shreddable fibres, can snag lightweight materials and scrape clean the walls of the pipe. Only try this method if you are confident in using machinery, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye…

6. U-Bolt

Perhaps it’s time to chuck a u-bolt… Grab a bucket and position it under the u-bend drain under the sink, unscrew the connections and dislodge any build-up in the pipe. It’s not recommended to wear your Sunday best for this activity…

Bonus: Drano

The most common chemicals used to unblock sinks are Drano, hydrochloric acid or caustic soda. The general rule of thumb is to pour in the chemical, chill for 15-30 mins (as the instructions will state) and follow with cold water, I repeat, cold water; we aren’t looking for the next Chernobyl. Health and safety is important here – don’t touch your eyes, eat the chemicals or leave them where your kids or pets can access them. No jokes.

Call us:

If your drain is still blocked after all of that, call us at Flowtec Plumbing and Gas 24-7 – Adelaide, we got you covered.