The Times Australia
Fisher and Paykel Appliances
The Times House and garden

.

How to Clear a Blocked Drain Without Clearing Your Wallet

  • Written by NewsServices.com

If you've ever had a blocked drain, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only does the blockage prevent water from flowing freely, but it can also cause unpleasant smells and create a breeding ground for bacteria. That is why it is essential to know how to clear a blocked drain without clearing your wallet. Here are some tips to help you get the job done.

1) Boiling water

Boiling water is one way to clear a blocked drain. If the blockage is near the top of the pipe, boiling water may be enough to clear it. Pour boiling water onto the blockage and wait for 5 minutes. If the blockage is still there, pour more boiling water onto it.

2) Natural cleaners

Natural cleaners such as vinegar and baking soda can also be used to clear a blocked drain. Pour vinegar or baking soda down the drain, followed by hot water. Wait for 30 minutes before flushing with cold water.

3) Caustic cleaners

Caustic cleaners such as bleach should only be used as a last resort because they can damage pipes. Put on gloves and mix 1 part bleach with 9 parts hot water. Pour this mixture down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing with cold water.

4) Plunger

The plunger is one of the most common tools used to clear a blocked drain. Splash some water into the sink and place the plunger over the top of it so that it forms a seal. Push and pull on the plunger until you hear a gurgling sound coming from the drain. This means that the blockage has been cleared.

5) DIY drain snake

DIY drain snakes can be made from wire clothes hangers. Straighten out a wire clothes hanger and make a small hook at one end. Insert the wire into the drain and push it through until you feel resistance. This means that you have hit the blockage. Twist the wire around the blockage and pull it out.

6) Plumbers drain snake

Call a licenced plumber to clear your drain with a plumber's drain snake if the blockage is more severe. Plumbers drain snakes are a more expensive option, but they are more effective. They have a serrated head that can cut through almost anything.

7) CCTV

CCTV drain cameras can be used to locate the exact location of a blockage. First, a small camera is inserted into the drain and moved around until the blockage is found. Then, the camera sends a live feed to a monitor to see what is happening inside the pipe.

8) Hydro Jet

Hydro jets are high-pressure water cleaners that can be used to clear blocked drains. A small hose is inserted into the drain, and water is blasted through it at high pressure. This will clear the blockage and clean the pipe.

9) Excavation

Excavation is a last resort option and should only be done by a professional. Excavation involves digging up the pipe and clearing the blockage manually.

10) Pipe relining

Pipe relining is another last resort option that should only be done by a professional. Pipe relining involves inserting a new pipe into the old one. This new pipe will not have any holes or cracks so that water can flow through it freely.

There are many ways to clear a blocked drain without clearing your wallet. Try one of these methods the next time you have a blockage. If the problem persists, call a professional. They will be able to help you find the cause of the problem and fix it so that you don't have to worry about it again.

Times Magazine

Can bigger-is-better ‘scaling laws’ keep AI improving forever? History says we can’t be too sure

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman – perhaps the most prominent face of the artificial intellig...

A backlash against AI imagery in ads may have begun as brands promote ‘human-made’

In a wave of new ads, brands like Heineken, Polaroid and Cadbury have started hating on artifici...

Home batteries now four times the size as new installers enter the market

Australians are investing in larger home battery set ups than ever before with data showing the ...

Q&A with Freya Alexander – the young artist transforming co-working spaces into creative galleries

As the current Artist in Residence at Hub Australia, Freya Alexander is bringing colour and creativi...

This Christmas, Give the Navman Gift That Never Stops Giving – Safety

Protect your loved one’s drives with a Navman Dash Cam.  This Christmas don’t just give – prote...

Yoto now available in Kmart and The Memo, bringing screen-free storytelling to Australian families

Yoto, the kids’ audio platform inspiring creativity and imagination around the world, has launched i...

The Times Features

The rise of chatbot therapists: Why AI cannot replace human care

Some are dubbing AI as the fourth industrial revolution, with the sweeping changes it is propellin...

Australians Can Now Experience The World of Wicked Across Universal Studios Singapore and Resorts World Sentosa

This holiday season, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), in partnership with Universal Pictures, Sentosa ...

Mineral vs chemical sunscreens? Science shows the difference is smaller than you think

“Mineral-only” sunscreens are making huge inroads[1] into the sunscreen market, driven by fears of “...

Here’s what new debt-to-income home loan caps mean for banks and borrowers

For the first time ever, the Australian banking regulator has announced it will impose new debt-...

Why the Mortgage Industry Needs More Women (And What We're Actually Doing About It)

I've been in fintech and the mortgage industry for about a year and a half now. My background is i...

Inflation jumps in October, adding to pressure on government to make budget savings

Annual inflation rose[1] to a 16-month high of 3.8% in October, adding to pressure on the govern...

Transforming Addiction Treatment Marketing Across Australasia & Southeast Asia

In a competitive and highly regulated space like addiction treatment, standing out online is no sm...

Aiper Scuba X1 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review: Powerful Cleaning, Smart Design

If you’re anything like me, the dream is a pool that always looks swimmable without you having to ha...

YepAI Emerges as AI Dark Horse, Launches V3 SuperAgent to Revolutionize E-commerce

November 24, 2025 – YepAI today announced the launch of its V3 SuperAgent, an enhanced AI platf...