We’re all familiar with the feeling of dread when we see water pooling in our shower or kitchen sink. Nobody wants to deal with the mess that comes with a blocked drain after a long day at work or when you’re about to have guests over.
Unfortunately, blocked drains are a menace we all have to deal with, no matter how careful we are about keeping them clean. That’s because drain blockages are not always due to foreign objects accidentally dropped inside the sink or toilet. They can also be caused by:
- Food waste and grease
- Hair and soap scum
- Tree root intrusions
- Leaves, debris, and mud in outside drains
- Mineral buildup if you have hard water in your area
- Not getting your drains cleaned or flushed routinely
We’ve put together some of the most used DIY drain block hacks to help you out in emergencies or when your blocked drain plumber has gone AWOL.
Read on for our useful guide on blocked drains, hacks and when to call in a professional drain unblocker in Perth.
5 DRAIN CLEANING FIXES FOR BLOCKED DRAINS
We’ve started with some basic fixes for minor blocks and moved on to ones for more stubborn blockages. It’s essential to understand that stubborn or recurring drain blockages cannot be resolved with DIY hacks, especially those caused by tree roots. These require an expert blocked drain plumber near you to get to the origin of the blockage and clear it.
Repeated use of chemicals and homemade solutions eventually stop working and only push the blockage further down the pipe, making it worse. This can also cause cracks and holes in your drain pipes and lead to leaks, water damage and expensive repairs. In such cases, it’s always best to call in an expert for blocked plumbing.
- Baking Soda Mixtures
Baking soda mixed with salt, vinegar, or lemon is an effective remedy for dissolving debris, hair, and soap scum in your drains. Use any one of the three mixed with equal amounts of baking soda. Let it sit for at least two to three hours or overnight. Follow it with boiling water to wash away the dissolved buildup.
It’s advisable to do this once a month even if you don’t have blocked drains. The baking soda mix acts as a great drain cleaner and prevents drain blockages. You can even use plain boiling water regularly to keep your drain clean.
- Drain Snake or Wire
Sometimes the baking soda or boiling water isn’t enough to do the job, especially if you have excessive hair buildup that comes with pets. Drain snakes are a handy tool to clear food, hair and other nasty gunk out of your drain. It’s a flexible rod made of metal with a hook at the end that latches onto the globs of hair and dirt when inserted.
If you don’t have a drain rod at hand, you can also use a wire hanger after straightening it out.
- Caustic Soda/Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide is a highly toxic chemical product and should be used with caution. It can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with the skin. Mix about three cups of caustic soda with three litres of water and throw it down the drain once it starts to fizz. Leave for half an hour and finish with boiling water.
Please note that using too many chemicals can damage your drain pipes and are harmful to the environment. They are only a short term hack and won’t fix the blockage permanently.
EXPERT BLOCKED DRAIN SERVICES SOUTH PERTH
Our qualified drain plumbers have the experience and skills needed to clear even the most stubborn drain blockages quickly and efficiently. We use powerful drain jets and CCTV drain cameras to pinpoint the exact location of your drain blockage and clean them. We also provide drain cleaning and flushing services for preventive maintenance with professional pipe repair and replacement.