Skip to content 
Clogged drains can lead to major problems and expensive repairs. It can also cause you and your loved ones a great deal of stress and trouble.
Eventually, blockages will form in any plumbing system. The good news is that you might not need professional help to unclog a drain.
Note: Drains that are blocked due to underlying causes do require a professional to understand and solve the problem in the long run.
How to Tell if a Drain Is Clogged?
Many things can cause drains to become clogged. Although some are readily apparent, others may initially escape your mind. So, before moving further, here are some obvious signs to identify clogged drains.
Unpleasant smell
An odd odour could be the first warning indicator. This is typically a sewage-like odour, which may lead you to question whether or not someone neglected to flush.
Drain slowly
If the water in your sink or shower seems to pool for an unusually long time after use, you may have a leak. In most cases, the condition will only get worse before it gets better on its own, indicating that the obstruction is getting worse.
Overflow
Blockages can cause toilets to overflow, releasing untreated sewage into your home. Even with clean water, sink spills cause considerable household damage. Check outside drains and manholes for overflow indications from a safe distance to report to a plumber.
Gurgling sound
Gurgling sounds indicate water accumulating and pushing against the pipe. This usually indicates an obstruction.
10 Ways for Clearing Blocked Drains
Pour boiling/hot water
It is possible to unclog a pipe made of metal or ceramic using this procedure. To remove a clog from a drain, all you need to do is pour boiling water.
Pipes composed of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) can have their connections loosened with hot water. If you notice grease or a buildup of leftover food, pour hot tap water (not boiling) down the drain to dissolve it.
Eco-friendly drain cleaner
Baking soda and white vinegar react to remove grease and break down solids, making this a fantastic non-toxic home remedy. Use hot water to flush the drains to get rid of any leftovers. You can also use commercially available eco-friendly cleaning solutions like enzyme cleaners derived from microorganisms. Things made of plastic and tree roots won’t be helped by this.
Plunger
If you need to clear out a clogged toilet, you can use a plunger to do the job. A tight seal can be achieved by covering the overflow holes before plunging.
The clog will be unplugged utilizing a technique including up-and-down pressure/motions. Methods of this nature for clearing clogged drains work well for clumps of solid waste but are ineffective against grease and other similar buildups.
Curved wire hanger
To do this, take a piece of wire (or something similar) and bend it so that it’s nearly straight, then attach a little hook to the end. Just drop it down the drain and pull out any obstructions, like hair.
Although it is not the most efficient method, it is nevertheless capable of removing the vast majority of the impeding and nearby solids.
Caustic cleanser
A caustic cleanser can be used to remove build ups such as hair, grease, food, and other debris. You can get it at any grocery shop or hardware store. The use of such chemicals, however, would have devastating effects on the ecosystem.
On the other hand, it lacks the strength to dissolve larger solids, such as tree roots or even small household items. Wearing gloves, avoiding contact with the skin and eyes, and flushing the pipes with water after usage are all recommended if you decide to keep using this cleanser.
How do professionals fix blocked drains?
High Pressure Water Jet/ hydro-jet
A hydro-jet is a high-pressure cleaner that uses water to force its way through a pipe and loosen any obstructions that may have formed there. You should be cautious when utilizing a hydro-jet so as not to cause damage to the plumbing system.
If you only need to unclog a drain and have no other plans for a hydro-jet, it will be more expensive than other options. It’s recommended that you exhaust the other options on the list before turning to this one.
Drain Snake and CCTV Camera
These are the instruments plumbers use to access the clogged drain and remove the overwhelming quantity of garbage that has accumulated there. An impediment in the pipe is removed by a fast-spinning coil at the cable’s end. As their reach is limited, the undesirable clog must be located further up the drain for these tools to be effective.
Excavation
This labour-intensive process will occur only under exceptional circumstances. This kind of unclogging requires the training and expertise of a professional plumber, which is why you should leave it in their hands. This approach is naturally more complicated and time demanding, thus it is reserved for extreme cases.
Use a DIY drain snake
If you have some thin metal wire lying around, like from a coat hanger, you can create a drain snake. If you want to use the snake to unclog a drain, you should leave the hook at the end. This method is most appropriate in shower. You can test its utility by attempting to remove hair from a clogged area.
Relining a pipe
Pipe relining is a cost-effective and time-saving alternative to replacing damaged pipes due to a clog. After the obstruction has been cleared, the pipe is relined. Need pipe relining in Sydney? Learn more about pipe relining here.
Conclusion
In most cases, clogged drains won’t appear immediately. Over time, the pipe will fill up with debris including hair, grease, and food. The longer these substances are allowed to accumulate, the more difficult they become to dissolve or dislodge.
Keep your drains and pipes in extensive shape by giving them a frequent cleaning. If you hear gurgling sounds, your drains are slow, or you smell a bad odour, consider one of the home cures we recommended. If that doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to bring in a professional plumber. Get in touch with Dial Up Plumbing Services, your blocked drains specialists by calling (02) 8999 6125.
