Valuable Tips To Clear Out Blocked Drains:

Blocked drains are regarded as one of the most common or typical plumbing problems that almost every homeowner has to go through across the country and beyond. Blockages might strike at unexpected moments and catch you off-guard; as a result, it would be ideal to be prepared to tackle these situations head-on. Most times, the neglect of small-scale plumbing problems pave the way for escalation that could be harder and more expensive to handle, rather than if they had been dealt with preemptively. Untreated blockages can lead to water leakage in your drains, potentially damaging your residential or commercial space. Escalated or severe blockages can result in the bursting of pipes which is much more troublesome, not to mention costlier.

Below are some proactive measures that one can optimise to get rid of blocked drains as a DIY measure before thinking of calling upon professional plumbing services. These are:

1. Boiling Water:

To implement a simple and straightforward measure to fix your blocked plumbing, try pouring a pot of boiling water down the affected drain. Under most circumstances, these would suitably loosen or even dissolve the blocking matter without the need to optimise any drastic measures. However, it is essential to know that this method is only suitable for metal or ceramic pipes since, with PVC pipes, the heat can cause the loosening of joints. These pipes would serve you well to opt for hot, not boiling, tap water in its stead. While boiling water is quite effective on blockages caused by grease or food build-up, this is not likely to have positive results for clearing out solid blockages.

1. Diy Natural Cleaner:

Anyone can develop a DIY drain cleaner at home by using bicarb soda (baking soda) and white vinegar. Here, one simply has to pour the bicarb into the drain, followed by vinegar. Now, cover the drain to prevent the mixture from bubbling out from the pipe. The chemical reaction between bicarb and vinegar creates oxygen, which subsequently cleans the inside of said pipes, scouring them adequately. This process might require repetition to ensure foolproof success. Once the DIY mixture has made its way through, once the combination has worked through the blockage, it's time to flush the pipes with hot water to eliminate any residual matter.

1. Caustic Cleaner:

You can opt to buy caustic chemical drain cleaners sourced from your local hardware store or plumbing speciality store. Such chemicals are adept at dissolving grease, food, hair, or other such typical blockages. However, a con associated with these would be their propensity of harming the environment. As a result, you either avoid or limit its use whenever possible. Caustic cleaners do not work against solid masses, like small household items tree roots. You must take care of your hands and face while working with these and ensure that you flush the pipes to remove any lingering chemicals.

1. Plunger:

Akin to unclogging a toilet, a plugger also works well against blocked drains. Ensure that you are covering overflowing spouts before wielding the plunger so that you can get a strong seal. The up-and-down suction pressure that the plunger creates aids in loosening most blockages to bring back one's smooth-flowing pipes. Plungers are the most value inducing tool to deal with blockages.

One can even use plumbing agents like a snake tool, CCTV, hydro jet or excavation. However, these require some expertise to execute with a positive finish and flair; thus, it is ideal to leave this to the professional to ensure that you are not doing more damage than repair.

The above-mentioned pointers allude to the tips or guidelines that one can implement as a preventive or proactive measure to deal with blocked drains before professional 24-hour plumbing services are deployed to the problem site or if the issue isn't drastic.