5 Easy Ways to Unclog Blocked Drains: Learn the Tips to Avoid Them
Blocked Drains are a pervasive issue that every house owner must have faced in their lives at some point in time. However familiar it may sound, when it happens to anyone, it brings pure mess. Calling a professional is always the last resort one can ever rely upon in such situations. But before they come to your place you can try some DIY methods to unclog the drains which will both save your money and time. If none of the DIYs seems to work for you, go for hiring professional help.
5 DIYs to Clean Blocked Drains
1. Boiling Water
The first attempt that you can try is applying boiling water to the clogged drain. It is the most inexpensive and most painless trick to try. Boiling water can clean a lot of blockage issues. First, take out all the stagnant water from the sink, then pour rolling hot water with a kettle or any vessel direct on the drain outlet of the sink. Wait for some time to see if the water clears the block. If it does not work at the first attempt, try repeating the same procedure a few more times.
2. Disposal
If you have a garbage disposal unit attached to your sink, then it may cause blockage sometimes. Check the unit to ensure if the unit is causing the problem. Run and inspect the disposal unit to make sure it’s working fine. If you find the unit is getting overheated, flip the switch of the unit under the sink.
3. Salt and Boiling Water
This is another method to try with boiling water. Before beginning the process, cup out all the standing water from the sink. Then pour approximately a half cup of table salt through the drain and pour boiling water on top of that. Wait for a while to set the mixture on the blockage and then try flushing the mixture out with some more hot water.
4. Vinegar and Baking Soda
Start the process by removing the stale water from the sink. Then pour about a cup of baking soda into the blocked drain followed by the same amount of apple cider vinegar or plain white vinegar. It will instantly start bubbling while you need to wait for at least 15 minutes. Then finally pour some hot water into the sink to check if the block is cleared. You can repeat the process if needed.
5. Baking Soda and Salt
This is another mixture that you can use to clear drain clogs. In this process, first mix a half cup of salt with a cup full of baking soda and then pour it down the clogged drain. Leave it for several hours so that the mixture can sit well enough on the blockage and then flush it out with some boiling water. Try repeating the same process if it helps.
Tips to Prevent Blocked Drains
Prevention is always a better option if you know how to do it. They the following simple tips to save yourself from all the cloggy-hazards.
- Use a drain strainer
- Try avoiding disposing of the cooking grease and fat ingredients in the kitchen sink
- While disposing of garbage to the garbage disposal unit, keep the tap running
- Pour boiling water frequently to avoid the accumulation of any clogged items
- Do not ever flush any paper other than toilet papers through the drains
- Have your pipelines regularly inspected
Conclusion
These simple tips will help you keep the problems of blocked drains away from your house. It is all about making some good habits that can save a lot of your money, time, and effort. If preventive methods fail to work, try the DIY methods at your home first. And finally, if nothing seems to work, then it might be a more significant issue that needs the involvement of a professional plumber.