Being a homeowner is part of the everyday dream, but what happens when trouble springs from a leak? What can you do when the kitchen sink won’t drain or the toilet is blocked? Most people would call a plumber to get the job done, but this isn’t always necessary.
Hiring a plumber can be a costly experience and one I advise you to avoid if you can. Many of the water problems that come up at home can be fixed by you, with the help of some old-school recipes and more modern techniques. Depending on the degree of the blockage, there are a lot of tips and tricks you can try first before calling in the experts!
How to keep your drains clean at home
Unblock your sink the natural way
For a chemical-free option, the most common trick to clearing drains yourself is to use bi-carb soda (or baking powder) and vinegar. The fizzing effect of these two ingredients works magic on smaller blockages in your sink, bubbling away trapped food particles and breaking down fats and oils in front of your eyes. Simply pour 1 cup of bicarb soda into the sink and add 1 cup of white vinegar on top. Leave this mixture for 5-10 minutes, then pour hot water down to re-activate and to wash away any excess residue.
So, this is the cheapest and most natural way of clearing a blocked sink and is most effective on partial blockages, where some of the water still drains through. This trick is very effective on minor issues but, in more severe cases, won’t be strong enough to clear the problem. I also wouldn’t recommend this method on blocked toilets as you don’t want the sewerage water fizzing out onto your floor!
For more severe blockages that won’t clear, you may need help from one of the many experts who deal with blocked drains in Melbourne every day.
Clearing stubborn blockages
Plungers are one of the handiest tools you can invest in to save you big bucks on plumbing costs. If your sink or toilet block completely, then give a plunger ago; as you’ll find, most blockages will clear with a few sections pumps and without the use of caustic chemicals.
The cheapest plungers start at around $5 and could very well save you thousands in plumbing fees and countless hours of waiting for them to find a solution. Most plumbers who are called out to homes go there to unblock a drain; or a toilet with a plunger anyway, so beat them at their game and get one of your own.
Hot water and bubbles
Another handy yet cost-effective prevention tip is to pour a kettle full of boiling water into the drains of each sink in your home at least once a week. This will aid in dissolving grease and grime build-up in the pipes. Add a little washing detergent to the sink before you pour the hot water down for maximum effect in breaking apart stubborn oil and grease particles.
Drain snakes
Make your own drain snake out of an old metal coat hanger. Straighten the wire and leave part of the hook at the end. This can insert into the plughole pushing through debris and catching tufts of hair trapped deep in the pipes. This method is the most effective in the shower, where most blockages form from excess hair after washing.
Chemical options
You can buy products in hardware stores designed to dissolve more stubborn blockages; such as Drano and Caustic Soda. Design to pour directly into the sink, leave for around 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.
So, if you choose this method, follow the instructions closely. These products are highly toxic to inhale and can have severe adverse reactions for certain individuals if not handled correctly.
Blocked drain prevention
Although there are a few ways of unblocking drains yourself, there are also some ways to prevent blockages as much as possible. The most common causes of blocked pipes in residential homes are excess food scraps; hair, oil, and dirt, so try to avoid letting these things into your sinks in the first place.
Sink strainers and corner-strainer baskets are cheap and effective ways to avoid blocked sinks by catching food particles; excess fat and oil, hair, and dirt before they wash down the drain.
Tree roots are another concern when owning your own home. Check around your property for overgrown bushes and trees near your drains; the roots of these can enter your pipelines, causing blockages, significant damage, and a hefty bill. The earlier this problem identify and the roots removed, the better.
Still, blocked? call an expert
So you’ve tried these at home, DIY tricks, and the sinks are still blocked? Or can’t unblock the toilet with a plunger? So, it may be time to call in an expert.
