Top Tips on How to Unblock Drains

Blocked drains are a common problem that can cause significant disruption to your daily routine. Whether it’s the kitchen sink, bathroom drain, or a clogged pipe in your backyard, dealing with a blocked drain is never fun.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to clear a blocked drain effectively, from DIY solutions to when you need to call a local expert to fix a blocked drain in Sydney.

What Are the Causes of Blocked Drains?

Before we dive into how to fix a blocked drain, it’s helpful to understand what causes a drain to clog in the first place. Some of the most common causes of blocked drains include:

• Grease and Fat Build-up: Cooking oils, grease, and fat are common contributors to clogged kitchen drains. Over time, these substances solidify inside your pipes, leading to a blockage.
• Hair Accumulation: Bathroom drains, particularly in showers and bathtubs, are often clogged by hair. When combined with soap scum, it creates a thick sludge that obstructs the flow of water.
• Foreign Objects: Small objects, such as soap dishes and even toys, can accidentally fall into drains, leading to blockages.
• Tree Roots: In some cases, tree roots can invade underground pipes, causing blockages and even cracks in the pipe structure.
• Toilet Paper and Waste: In toilets, flushing excessive toilet paper or non-biodegradable items like wet wipes or sanitary products can cause blockages. These materials don’t break down easily and can obstruct the plumbing system.

Why You Should Never Ignore Blocked Drains

• Health Hazards: As water becomes stagnant in blocked pipes, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. This can lead to health issues such as skin infections, respiratory problems, and increased risks for vulnerable people like children and the elderly.
• Structural Damage: If the blockage isn’t cleared, water can overflow from sinks, drains, or toilets, soaking into floors, walls, and ceilings. This moisture encourages mould and mildew growth, which can cause damage to your home’s structure.
• Pipe Damage: Continued pressure buildup behind a blockage can cause pipes to crack, leak, or even burst. This adds another layer of risk, leading to more extensive damage and disruptions to your plumbing system.
• Increased Repair Costs: The longer a blockage goes unresolved, the more complicated and costly it becomes to fix. Minor clogs can evolve into major issues, requiring expensive repairs and potentially extensive property restoration.

How to Fix a Blocked Drain

There’s no need to panic when you find yourself facing a blocked drain. In minor cases, clearing blocked drains is a simple task that you can tackle yourself. Here’s a breakdown of how to unblock drains:

1. Boiling Water

One of the simplest and most effective methods for clearing a blocked drain is using boiling water. This is especially useful for grease-related blockages in kitchen sinks. The hot water breaks down the grease and helps clear the pipe.

How to do it:

• Boil a kettle full of water.
• Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain in stages, allowing each pour to sit for a few minutes before continuing.
• Repeat this process a couple of times to see if the blockage clears.

This method works best for minor clogs and can be used as a preventive measure once every few weeks.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar

If hot water alone doesn’t solve your blocked drain problem, try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. This powerful combination can break down organic material and help clear your drain.

How to do it:

• Pour half a cup of baking soda into the blocked drain.
• Follow it with half a cup of vinegar.
• Cover the drain with a cloth and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, pour hot water down the drain to flush out the debris.

This method is highly effective for clearing blocked pipes in sinks and showers.

3. Plunger

A plunger is a classic tool for clearing blocked drains and can be used for both kitchen and bathroom sinks. If you’ve got a stubborn blockage, this tool could be your first choice.

How to do it:

• Place the plunger over the drain opening, ensuring it forms a seal.
• Push the plunger up and down rapidly to create suction.
• After a few minutes of plunging, check if the water starts to drain. Repeat if necessary.

For best results, make sure there’s enough water in the sink to cover the plunger. If the blockage is severe, you might need to use a plunger a few times before it works.

4. Plumbing Snake or Drain Auger

If the blockage persists, a plumbing snake or drain auger might be the next best option. This tool is designed to break through tough blockages in pipes, particularly those that are deeper inside the system.

How to do it:

• Insert the snake or auger into the drain.
• Rotate the tool to allow it to move further into the pipe, breaking up the clog along the way.
• Once the blockage is loosened, flush the pipe with hot water to ensure the drain is fully cleared.

This method works wonders for clearing blocked drain pipes that have built-up debris deeper in the system.

5. Wet and Dry Vacuum

If you have a wet and dry vacuum, you can use it to suck up the blockage from your drain. This method is particularly effective for clearing clogs in toilets and showers.

How to do it:

• Set the vacuum to liquid mode.
• Place the vacuum hose over the drain opening.
• Turn the vacuum on and let it suck up the debris causing the blockage.

This method works well for stubborn clogs but will require some patience.

When to Contact a Plumber in Sydney

Though DIY can be a solution, certain drain issues require professional help. Here are the key indicators that it’s time to reach out to a plumber:

1. Multiple Drains Blocked

If several drains in your home are clogged at once, it likely points to a larger issue in the main sewer line. This type of problem requires a plumber’s expertise to inspect and clear the blockage from the mainline, preventing more extensive damage.

2. Water Backing Up

If water starts to back up, it’s a sign of a severe blockage, possibly in the main drain or sewer line. This requires immediate professional attention to avoid
water damage and ensure that the plumbing system is functioning as it should.

3. Water Not Draining At All

If water is not draining at all, despite trying DIY fixes, it could mean a deep clog or a more serious problem within your plumbing system. A professional plumber will locate the source of the blockage and clear it, ensuring proper drainage is restored.

Conclusion

A blocked drain is a frustrating problem. Whether you choose to tackle it yourself with DIY methods or decide to call a local plumber Sydney, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible.

If you’re dealing with a stubborn blockage, don’t hesitate to call our experts at Fix N Flow. Our team of professional plumbers in Sydney is always ready to help with any plumbing or drain issue. Give us a call at 1300 319 275, or contact us by submitting our online form. From clearing blocked drains to performing more extensive blocked drain repairs in Sydney, we have the tools and experience to get the job done right.

Don’t let a blocked drain ruin your day. Get it fixed quickly by contacting your trusted plumbing in Sydney professionals today.