Easy ways that you can unblock your drains

11 November 2015

Eugene Vargas

It has happened to everyone; the sink or toilet has become clogged for one reason or another and now there is nowhere for the water to go. Or else the bottom of the shower is pooling with water around your feet. This can lead to unpleasant odours as well as unpleasant contents. These symptoms all point towards a blocked drain.

This needs to be dealt with before it turns into further problems such as burst pipes. Some of the common fixes may not do the job, but don't despair. Here are some handy tips that will have your drains unblocked in no time.

Use a bent wire hangar

This is an extremely simple yet effective method. All you have to do is to take an ordinary wire hanger and straighten it out. Then you need to bend over one end so that you have a small hook shape. You should insert this end into the drain and start trying to break up and remove any debris that is blocking the drain.

Whether it is a build-up of hairs or other objects, this should clear the way. Make sure that you pull this material out as opposed to simply pushing it further down the drain. When you have gotten most of the content out, run the hot water to flush any remaining debris away.

Use vinegar and baking soda

Mix some vinegar and baking soda together so that it is a fizzy solution. Pour it immediately down the drain and the fizzing action will be able to go to work and break down and remove the build-up of grime and the other blocked substances. Don't use the drain for a couple of hours so the solution has time to work its magic. When you are ready, flush it with hot water to clear out the remaining debris and solution.

Boiling water

This is as simple of a solution as they come. Simply boil some water using a kettle—the more the better. When you are ready, you should pour it down the drain in three different stages, which will allow for each batch of water to go to work. This is the simplest and quickest way to try and unclog a drain.

Caustic Soda

You need to be careful when handling this soda as it can cause chemical burns. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear. You should mix it together with some water in a bucket and stir it well. It should start to fizz and it will get hot. Pour it into the clogged drains and let it sit for a few hours. 

If none of these DIY fixes work, consider contacting drain cleaning professionals, as they will have special tools and equipment to unclog any drain.

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