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How to unblock a badly blocked drain?

Of all the reasons to call a plumber, a blocked drain in Seaforth houses is one of the most common. It is a frustrating problem many homeowners experience as it can be a messy situation to tackle. Blocked drains can grow into more stubborn clogs over time and can be a pain—but they need not be difficult to resolve. Below are steps you can follow to unblock a badly blocked drain. 

Natural Solution: Vinegar and Baking Soda 

Vinegar and Baking Soda is a safe, cheap option to try as a first resort for your blocked drain in Seaforth. You will need to pour one part vinegar and one part baking soda into the gutter. This mixture will cause fizzing and remove any hair, soap residue, and blocking material accumulated in the drain pipe. Let the solution sit in your drains for 15 minutes before flushing it with hot water.  

To increase the formula’s unclogging power, cover the drain with drain covering after pouring in the mixture; this will involve using water pressure. Cover the drain with rubber covers or wet cloth followed by hot water over the covering. Subsequently, you will hear gurgling noises, which means the mixture works through the blockage. Let the system rest for half an hour before flushing the drain with hot water. The mixture will soften the clog, and the water will push it out of the drain pipe. If it does not work, try again in a couple of hours to get anything missed the first time. If it still does not work, it might be time to call an experienced plumber. 

Use Plungers 

If the solution above does not work, the next easiest option is to try a plunger. If you are dealing with a case of blocked drains, it should be your first instinct to grab yourself a pair of plungers, depending upon the case. A plunger offers a fantastic mechanism that helps to suck out any blockages in your drains. They are useful in forcing all clogs and blockages downwards and out of the drain. However, using a plunger might take time, effort, and perseverance.  

A cup plunger is used on drains that rest on flat surfaces. Therefore, they are not an ideal pick for sink and basin drains and shower drain but not for unclogging toilet bowls. A flange plunger is specifically designed for curved surfaces, like toilet bowls. You will need to surround the mouth of a flange plunger with water in the shower basin, tub, or toilet bowl, enough to cover the plunger’s lipped rim. Try adding petroleum jelly to the suction pad before submerging it in water to get a better seal if you struggle to get suction on your plunger. Force the plunger for 3 to 5 minutes, never breaking the seal throughout the duration. Run some water down the drain to check if the blockage remains; if so, repeat the process.  

Drain Cleaners 

Drain cleaners are designed for more stubborn clogs. When these cleaners are poured into a blocked drain, they dissolve the grease and build up, causing the blockage. Let the solution sit for an appropriate amount of time before running the hot water through the drain. However, chemical drain cleaners can often be harmful to your pipes. 

Therefore, biological cleaners are better alternatives; they are biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly. They are extremely effective if you try to eliminate blocking materials such as hair, soap suds, and light-blocking material; however, biological cleaners are not as fast. 

However, chemical cleaners require you to take certain precautionary measures: only use cleaners for clogs that drain slowly, not completely blocked drains. Do not pour in another cleaner or chemical on the same drain. Always follow the instructions on the cleaner and wash the drain after the prescribed amount of time, as leaving them to sit for long hours will damage the blocked drain in Seaforth

The Last Solution: Drain Snakes 

If everything else on the list fails to produce the result, it might be time to use a drain snake before you decide to seek professional help. A drain snake delves deep into your pipes and removes blockages deep within the system. It has a hand crank that operates the cable to reach far into the pipes, and the gimmick will dislodge or break up snagged lightweight materials, product buildup, and debris and scrape clean the pipe walls.  

You must feed the snake into the drain until you hit the clogged area. Then crank the snake until the pipe end pushes through the obstruction, at which you will feel the tension in the cable drop. You may need to repeat the process a few times until the clog is gone. To test if the drain remains clogged, run water through it. It is specifically reserved for difficult clogs that everyday methods cannot tackle. 

Takeaway 

If your drain is blocked and you have tried all methods but to no avail, it is time to call a professional and let them check your drains for you. Here at Yass plumbing, we are dedicated to coming in and sorting the problem for you, but we are also keen to equip you so you can unblock your badly drained blocks without having to worry about getting your wallet to fix the problem. 

If you require professional help for your blocked drain in Seaforth, you need to look no further; give Yass Plumbing a call on 0416 733 100. Or email us with your queries at yassplumbingnsw@gmail.com. You can contact us today for any plumbing-related queries— we have the answers you want! 

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