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How to Unblock a Drain


Got a stopped-up drain? Depending on what’s causing the blockage, it could be really easy to fix or it could be a real headache.

Before we scare you too much, let’s start with a few DIY techniques that work on the most common types of clots.


Boiling Water

It’s common for kitchen drains to get stopped up with oil and grease. When it’s hot, it goes down the drain as a liquid. But as it slides through the pipes, it cools and congeals.

While the grease itself might not be strong enough to cause a blockage, it does create a constriction point. Other debris can get stuck here and cause a clog.

The heat from boiling water can melt the grease enough to dissolve the clog and allow the debris to wash away.


Natural Cleaning Methods

If the boiling water isn’t enough, you can try a baking soda and vinegar combination. These two substances bubble and fizz when mixed with one another, which can be enough to dissolve the clog and wash it away.

Make sure to put the baking soda down the drain first and chase it with the vinegar. Try it a few times as it may take more than once.


Caustic Cleaning Methods

If the baking soda and vinegar aren’t strong enough, you can move on to store-bought caustic cleaners. These are not very good for the environment so definitely try some other methods first.

These cleaners aren’t very good for you either so be careful not to splash them on your skin. Make sure to do it in a well-ventilated area as well and don’t breathe the fumes.


Excavation

You may need a plumber to look at severe blockages. It is common for tree roots to grow into drainpipes and cause blockages. While you won’t find that sludge appetizing at all, it is a veritable buffet of rich nutrients for trees and plants.

This leads them to grow into any crack they can find in the pipe. Eventually, they can grow into the pipe and cause blockages.


Pipe Relining

For older pipes, you may want to have them relined to avoid future problems. This involves coating the insides of the pipes with an epoxy resin. This resin hardens and strengthens the pipe, limiting the risk of problems in the future.


Hydro-Jet Water Cleaner

Before relining the pipe (or simply to clear a blockage) the plumber may also use a high-pressure water jet to clear the pipe. This involves blasting high-pressure bursts of water into the pipe to blast away the debris causing the blockage.


Free-Flowing Drains Once Again

Whether you can handle the blockage yourself or have to call a plumber, don’t worry. There is a method that will work to get your pipes clear and free-flowing once again. It just takes a bit of creativity or a call to your friendly neighbourhood plumber!



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