Few things in the house are as frustrating to deal with as a drain that doesn’t want to clear properly. When it starts to back up instead of flowing away, the people-washing apparatus grinds to a halt—and the smell. It’s easy to procrastinate, but the more you delay, the larger your problem will grow.
But the good news is there are safe and easy ways you can unblock a drain before it becomes a serious pain in the neck. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to make sense of it all.
Step 1: Spot the Signs Early
These small clues include the water in your sink or shower taking a long time to drain, unusual gurgling sounds and an odour near the sink or shower. All of them are red flags that something is accumulating inside your pipes.
The small warning signs make all the difference. Many blockages can be cleared without calling a plumber if you act fast. Knowing what to look out for is your first form of protection.
Step 2: Try Simple Fixes First
Before you consider the heavy chemicals, start off with something gentler. A combination of hot water, baking soda and vinegar is ideal for tiny clogs. It’s safe on your pipes and easier on the environment, too.
Boiling water itself can be helpful as well if the grease build-up is what’s causing the slow drain. Those easy fixes often do the trick if you catch the blockage early.
Step 3: Use Tools You Already Have
If the easy tricks don’t solve your issues, it’s time to try out some basic tools. For many households, a plunger is the go-to. It can dislodge food scraps, hair or other gunk clogging the drain by making a sucking sound.
A drain snake is also useful for more stubborn clogs. It is a flexible tool that overcomes the script blockage and assists in breaking it apart. Either option is cheap and generally works if you have a little patience.
Step 4: Skip the Harsh Chemicals
It’s tempting to grab a bottle of something that guarantees it will unclog your pipes in minutes, but these products generally wreak more damage than they prevent. The chemicals are corrosive to your pipes, toxic to handle and pollute waterways once they reach wastewater treatment plants.
Sticking to the safer alternatives would save you from expensive repairs and prevent damage to your plumbing. It’s better to solve the problem a little earlier and take an extra half-hour than have pipes break on you down the line.
Step 5: Call in a Professional When Needed
If plungers, hot water and baking soda fail to remove the clog, your best bet is probably the professionals. Plumbers have the tools and the know-how to tackle the most severe blockages.
Good Hands Plumbing’s Blocked Drain Service Sydney is ready to clear anything. In conclusion, using a professional is a safer and faster alternative in the long term, with no risk of damage to your plumbing.
Step 6: Keep Drains Clear With Prevention
Once you’ve got the obstruction out, the best thing to do is prevent it from happening again. Stay away from dumping oil, grease or coffee grounds into the sink because they get hard and stuck onto the pipe edges. Use drain covers in bathrooms to catch hair before it goes down the plughole.
Occasionally, flush drains with hot water to rinse away small build-ups before they become a larger problem.
Fresh Flow, Less Stress
It does not matter for sanitary ware, but clean pipes can also lead to a fresher, more comfortable space. With care and the steps outlined above, it takes some time, saves money, and puts an end to one’s headache.
