5 DIY Methods to Unclog a Drain in No Time

Blocked or clogged drains can become a common fixture in homes and are annoying, especially when you are trying to wash the dishes or have a shower. Luckily, there are some easy DIY solutions that can quickly unblock a drain without too much effort.

Continue reading to learn more about 5 DIY methods to unblock a drain.

Common Signs of Blocked Drains

Here are the most common signs of blocked drains:

• Bad smell
• Gurgling sounds
• Low water and drain pressure
• Low toilet water level
• Slow-draining sinks, baths and showers
• Water backing up
• Recurring blockages

Boiling Water, Baking Soda and Vinegar

The solution of boiling water, baking soda and vinegar is always a winning combination for a reason. It is easy, cheap, and effective, and most people have these ingredients at home and can whip the mixture up in no time.

Here’s how to use the Boiling Water, Baking Soda and Vinegar solution:

• Pour a cup of boiling water down the drain.
• Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.
• Pour a half-cup of boiling water and a half-cup of vinegar down the drain.
• Put the plug into the drain.
• Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, pour boiling water down the drain to loosen and flush out the debris that is causing the blockage.

Drain Auger Or Drain Snake

A drain auger or drain snake is a long, flexible cable that can be put down a pipe or drain.

Here’s how to use the Drain Auger:

• Hold the drain auger from its handle.
• Rotate the handle at a consistent pace and uncoil the drain snake down the drain.
• When you feel resistance, it means that you might have reached the blockage. Rotate the snake and repeat.
• Rotate the drain auger until there’s no more resistance or if it uncoils completely.
• Pull the drain auger out.
• Clean the drain auger.

If you hear strange noises coming from the pipe, it may mean that the drain auger is damaging the pipe. Slowly pull it out.

Clean the P-Trap

A P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that filters wastewater when it enters the plumbing system. It is connected to the shower, bathtub and sink. The P-trap collects debris before it becomes stuck inside the pipes. Cleaning out the P-trap regularly is an effective way to keep drains clear.

Here’s how to clean the P-Trap:

• Place a bucket under the U-bend shape in the pipe.
• Use a wrench, unscrew the bolts and take off the P-trap.
• Empty out the pipe’s contents into the bucket.
• Use an old toothbrush or a stiff-bristled brush to clean out the debris inside the pipe.
• Rinse the pipe with hot water.
• Assemble the pipes back into place.

Plungers

A plunger may not look like much, but it is a simple and affordable way to unclog a toilet or drain.

You may not be aware, but there are three different types of plungers available. These include:

The Standard/Cup Plunger

The standard/cup plunger is the one most people have at home. It has a straight wooden handle and a rubber suction cup at the end. It works best on kitchen sinks and shower drains.

Simply place the plunger over the drain and repeatedly push and pull the handle up and down until the suction breaks up the blockage.

The Flange Plunger/Toilet Plunger

The flange plunger has a long, narrow handle that is attached to a rubber cup. This cup also contains an extra flap that folds out. As its name suggests, this plunger is used on toilet clogs.

Place the cup over the toilet bowl drain and repeatedly push and pull the plunger up and down. The flap fits inside the drain opening and creates the required suction to help unclog the blockage.

Accordion Plunger

An accordion plunger is made of hard plastic instead of rubber and is usually used on toilets. It has flexible ridges and a cup at the bottom. Accordion plungers are specially designed to fit into toilet bowls.

Press it against the toilet drain, and the ridges compress, allowing air to shoot out of the cup and help unblock the clog.

Drain Cleaning Chemicals (Caustic Drain Cleaners)

Caustic drain cleaners usually contain sodium hydroxide (lye), caustic soda or sulfuric acid. These chemicals are highly corrosive on most metals and organic materials, which is why it’s best to resort to this as a last resort and limit its use on your sinks and drains.

When the caustic drain cleaner meets the drain blockage, the chemicals generate heat and dissolve the blockage, which makes them effective drain cleaners; however, they can also cause harm to your plumbing system the more you use them.

Here’s how to use Caustic Drain Cleaners:

• Protect yourself with gloves and safety goggles, and open up some windows for ventilation.
• Mix about one cup (100 grams) of the caustic drain cleaner with a litre of cold water (don’t use hot water, as the solution can have an adverse effect).
• Carefully pour the caustic drain cleaner down the drain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour to allow the chemical solution to work.
• After about an hour, pour boiling water down the drain to flush out any remaining caustic drain cleaner and debris.

If none of the above DIY methods works, it’s time to call Flow Plumbing Solutions, your local blocked drain specialist in Newcastle!

You can contact us at 0461 408 283. As your local plumbers, we are dedicated to resolving all plumbing emergencies as safely and swiftly as possible. You can count on us to get the job done!