10 Tips for Unblocking a Drain

Having a blocked drain is not only annoying, but it can also cause damage to your pipes and home infrastructure. Fortunately, there are many ways to unblock a drain, and that's what we'll be looking at in this article.

How to Clear a Blocked Drain

There are plenty of ways to unblock a clogged drain. We’ve compiled this list of the ten most common methods used by both regular people as well as professional plumbing companies.

Boiling water

Boiling water is probably the most well-known home remedy for clearing clogged drains. Pour about 1/2 cup of boiling water down the drain and wait for about 15 minutes. This should loosen whatever is causing the blockage.

Natural cleaners

Natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar are also effective at unblocking drains. You just pour these down the drain, wait a little while, and then flush the drain with some water.

Caustic cleaners

Using caustic cleaners (such as lye) can dissolve grease and soap scum that may be blocking your drain. However, they are not safe for all pipes, so check with your local hardware store or plumber before using them.

Plunger

A plunger is one of the easiest ways to unblock a drain. You just need to plunge it into the drain, creating a seal that pushes back against the blockage. This creates enough force to dislodge the blockage so that it can be pulled out of the drain.

DIY drain snake

Another good option is to use a DIY drain snake. Just feed one end through the opening of your sink or bathtub and push it down as far as possible. Then pull back up on the handle to extract any hair or gunk stuck in there.

Plumbers drain snake

A plumber's snake will usually be able to get through any blockages and clear your drain properly. It will be more expensive than DIY methods, but sometimes it’s worth paying extra to get something done properly and quickly.

CCTV

A CCTV camera will help you see what's causing the problem in your drainpipe. This can be an inexpensive solution if your blockage is caused by something like grease, hair or food waste that can simply be removed manually with a plunger or drain snake.

Hydro Jet

A hydro jet is a high-pressure water jetting tool that can be used to clear blocked drains. The hydro-jet can be either an electric or gas-powered machine, and it uses water pressure to blast through the blockage in your drain.

Excavation

Excavation is another way to unblock your drain without causing any damage or having to replace parts of your plumbing system. This method involves removing all dirt from around the pipe and then using a snake or cable auger to push out any debris.

Pipe relining

Pipe relining is a relatively new technology that uses epoxy resin to create a new pipe inside the old one. It’s often used to fix leaking pipes before they get too bad. However, if your drain becomes severely blocked, then you may need to have it relined as part of the repair process.

Conclusion

Clogged drains are a nuisance, but by following the tips and tricks listed above, you may be able to fix the issue before it gets any worse. If all else fails, then be sure to call a licensed plumber, who will be able to fix your drains quickly and unclog any blockages.