7 Easy Ways To Clear A Clogged Drain

Basic Techniques To Try First For Clearing Clogs

When tackling a clogged drain, start with simple home remedies before resorting to more complex solutions.

Boiling Water

Boiling water, poured steadily, can dissolve clogs and clean pipes. After the water has settled, run cold water to flush the system.

Baking Soda and Salt

For tougher situations to clear blocked drains in your home, Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of coarse salt and one cup of hot water. Slowly pour down the mixture down blocked drains, allowing it to bubble and react with the clog. Follow with more hot water using drain techniques and allow to sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

The mixture of baking soda and vinegar creates a chemical reaction that helps dissolve blockages. Pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of hot vinegar down the drain, then let the mixture sit. Cover the drain and then pour the vinegar to contain the fizzing reaction underground.

Let the solution work in the drain for 5-10 minutes before rinsing with hot water.

Using Boiling Water

Boiling water is highly effective at dissolving grease clogging your kitchen sink. Ensure the water temperature is around 70°C to melt grease efficiently.

To use this method for any drain:

1. Boil a large pot of water to help clear your drain, then let it rest for a minute or two before use.
2. Carefully pour the hot water down the drain to tackle grime and buildup.

The heated water can use its temperature to melt away grease and clear clogged drain passages obstructed by hair soap scum, food particles, and soap scum in your kitchen. For best results, clear out the blockage by pouring a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to react with any remaining gunk, letting it sit for 15 minutes, then rinsing.

A baking soda white vinegar solution is very effective for clearing soap scum in your blocked drain in your bathroom shower drain as well as for breaking up oil grease in kitchen sink drain lines.

Be cautious to avoid any splatter and don’t pour large volumes that could damage PVC pipes. Allowing to sit gives time for the heat and turbulence to penetrate deeper into the clog before rinsing.

Plunging The Drain

You can be using plunger as an effective DIY method for clearing simple clogs. When plunged correctly, the suction can dislodge debris and break up grease and soap deposits.

To properly clear clog in a drain with a sink trap:

1. Fill the sink halfway with water to fully cover the drain opening ensuring water doesn’t flow over drain, creating an airtight seal to clear a clogged drain.
2. Firmly position the plunger several inches above the drain opening and plug any overflow hole with a damp cloth or rag.
3. Force the plunger straight down with quick, forceful strokes, using both pressure and suction to channel hot water down. After 5-10 vigorous plunges, swiftly pull up the plunger to maximize suction and repeat the process for thorough cleaning.
4. Repeat the rapid plunge-and-pull process 10-15 times to thoroughly dislodge the clog.
5. Lift the plunger and remove drain cover then proceed to run hot water to clear away any dislodged debris.

Plunging is ideal for removing hair and soap scum from blocked drains, and a closet auger can be used for more stubborn blockages. For severe obstructions, consulting with your plumber for a more heavy-duty snake may be required. However, a good sink plunger can dislodge minor blockages with persistence and effort.

Natural Drain Cleaning Solutions

Natural pantry items offer an effective, affordable way to unclog drains without harsh chemicals. Baking soda combined with vinegar creates a fizzing chemical reaction that can help dissolve blockages.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Combine one cup each of baking soda and vinegar, pour the mixture down the drain to clear blockages. The acid in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda, doing so by fizzing as the soda goes down drain to break up clog formations. This fizzing action helps dislodge grease, hair, and other gunk stuck in pipes.

Immediately after pouring, seal the drain with a stopper or cloth. The pressure buildup helps propel the fizzing mixture further down pipe effectively. Let the mixture work for 5-10 minutes before flushing with hot water to clear debris.

Salt and Baking Soda

For extra cleaning power to address your blocked pipes, make a paste with 1⁄2 cup salt, 1⁄2 cup baking soda, and 1 cup hot water. Slowly pour this mixture down the drain, using a funnel if needed. The abrasive salt grains scour the pipe walls while the drain baking soda deodorises.

Let the mixture sit for 20-30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water. The longer contact time assists in clearing blocked passages and allows the ingredients to fully penetrate and react with the clog.

For the most effective results to unblock drain, follow up by snaking a drain auger through the pipes to physically pull out loosened gunk. Alternatively, contact a professional plumber for severe blockages.

Using Physical Tools

Using tools like a cable auger or plumber’s snake can remove stubborn blockages when simpler methods fail. However, one should take caution not to scratch or damage the drain pipe in the process.

Drain Snake/Auger

A drain snake is a flexible metal cable inserted into the drain to remove clogs and debris. Crank the snake handle slowly as you feed it into the drain, then pull out any debris caught on the end.

For safety, always extend the snake fully into an open drainpipe before cranking to address the blockage. Avoid forcing the crank once you encounter resistance in the sink. Let the snake do the work rather than brute force.

Wire Hanger

For DIY drain unclogging, an unfolded metal coat hanger can be used to fish out debris. Straighten the hanger and carefully insert it into the drain, feeling for blockages. Gently manoeuvre the hanger to snag and extract hair or other trapped debris.

Take precautions not to scratch plastic pipes or push debris further down. Use this method only for minor sinks clogs, not main sewer lines.

For serious toilet blockages, enlist a professional plumber to avoid damaging your plumbing system.

When To Call A Professional Plumber

Attempting DIY solutions to unclog a drain can be beneficial prior to seeking professional assistance. However, there are certain situations when it pays to call a licenced plumber right away.

Signs You Need a Pro

If you encounter any of the following, contact Cherrybrook Plumbing immediately at 1300 349 338:

• Completely clogged toilet scenarios or toilets overflowing with sewage backflow
• Multiple fixtures all clogged at once throughout the home
• Persistent unpleasant odours emanating from drains
• Leaking water pipes or leaking joints around sinks/tubs
• Drain backups that keep recurring shortly after clearing

Many clogs are caused by invasive tree roots or collapsed pipes, necessitating accurate diagnosis. Trying to muscle through severe obstructions with cables or DIY snakes can damage your plumbing.

Why Hire a Pro?

Here are key reasons to call in a professional plumbing company to clear your blocked drains:

• High-Pressure Water Jets: Professional hydro jet drain cleaners can blast through even the toughest obstructions.
• Camera Inspections: Identifying broken or damaged plumbing often requires sending a camera down the line.
• Precision Equipment: Pro grade electric drain snakes can reach much further down the line with less risk of getting stuck.
• Expert Repairs: Plumbers have specialised tools, materials and know-how to fully replace damaged drains if necessary.

For recurring drain or sewer line issues, promptly engage Cherrybrook Plumbing’s expert services.

Preventing Future Clogs

Preventing food waste clogs in the first place is easier than clearing them. With some simple habits, you can avoid many common drain blockages:

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Liquid drain openers can clear temporary blockages in sink drains but can cause lasting damage to pipes over time, so considering a natural drain cleaner like baking soda and vinegar may be a wiser choice. They break down organic buildup as well as harm metal and plastic pipes over time.

Install Screens/Strainers

Fitting sink and floor drain strainers or screens helps catch hair and food debris before they cause blockages down the line. Empty bathroom sink strainer baskets regularly to prevent debris from going down your drain.

Limit Grease Down Drains

Allow grease and dish soap residues to cool and solidify before discarding into the garbage disposal. Mix with an absorbent material like coffee grounds or cat litter to solidify further and prevent it from coating the down pipe walls as it flows down the drain.

Clean With Baking Soda

Monthly, pour a 1⁄2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the drain to dissolve oils and clear pipes. Let bubble for 15 minutes then rinse with hot water.

With preventative care and keeping up regular maintenance, you can work to keep your pipes free from costly repairs due to accumulations and blockages.