It’s a Sunday night in; you’re getting ready to enjoy a relaxing bath. You soak in your essential oils and fragrant bath bombs in your bathtub and are ready to wash it all off in the shower. But wait, what’s happening?
The water isn’t draining; it’s all just coagulating on the drain and not draining out as it should! What on earth just happened? It is quite possible that your drains are blocked.
How did that happen? Well, there are a lot of reasons why you could get blocked drains, and clearing them is also not as difficult as you might think. So keep reading to discover some useful things to consider if you want to fix blocked drains at home.
Things to Consider If You Want to Fix Blocked Drains at Home
We know, trying to clear blocked drains at home can be frustrating, especially if you’ve never done it before. But you can definitely do it yourself, at home, with a few things in mind.
Here are some things to consider if you want to fix blocked drains at home.
1. Keep It Safe
Before you attempt to fix your blocked drains, make sure you’re safe. Wear your protective gloves and other essentials to prevent being exposed to harmful stuff.
Sometimes clearing blocked drains can pose serious health hazards and risks, so you must definitely take all the precautions possible.
2. Find Out The Problem
Find out where the blockage is and how serious it is. Is it a single drain or multiple drains? Is the blockage close to the surface or deep within the pipes?
You need to consider these factors before going in and start “fixing” the drain.
3. Use The Right Tools
The most crucial aspect of clearing blocked drains is using the right equipment to clean up. Sometimes using the wrong tools can make the problem worse and make the blockage more serious.
Depending on the severity of the blockage, you’ll need plungers, drain snakes, wire hangers, a bucket and cleaning solutions, chemicals, cleansers, etc.
4. Plunger Saves The Day (Kind of)
Plungers are beneficial for clearing blocked drains, as long as the blockage is minor and you’re using it properly. Make sure you’re using the right type and there’s enough water in the sink or tub to cover the plunger’s cup.
First, you want to cover and seal the drain with the plunger. To dislodge the blockage, you have to vigorously push and pull with the plunger. Make sure to use the right plunger and use it properly because if not, you could be making things worse for you.
5. Chemical Drain Cleaners
Commercial drain cleaners can help dissolve minor clogs and blockages. But they can also be harsh on the drainage pipes and become a reason why your drain gets blocked.
They can also be harmful for the environment, so you must use them sparingly.
6. Natural Solutions
Baking soda and vinegar can create a nice fizzing and foaming effect that can help break down the clogs and clear up the blocked drains.
Take half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar. Pour the former into the drain, following it with the vinegar, then proceed to cover with a cloth.
Let it sit for a few hours before flushing down with hot water.
7. Use A Drain Snake
A drain snake can be a very handy tool, if you’re using it the right way. They’re great for deeper blockages and can effectively pick up debris and clear blocked drains or pipes.
Insert the drain snake into the drain and turn the handle to break up or retrieve the clog.
8. Check Ventilation
Poor ventilation can lead to poor drainage, so check if any vent pipes on the roof are blocked by debris or if any bird’s nests.
9. Preventive Measures
After you’ve cleared the blocked drains, you want to take extra steps to make sure that the blockages don’t happen again.
Use drain covers to catch hair and debris, don’t pour grease down the drain and flush drains with hot water regularly to keep the pipes clear and open.
10. Contact Professionals
If you’re still unable to clear blocked drains and it’s still clogged, then it’s best to call a professional plumber. They are obviously experts and have specialized equipment to handle more complex and serious problems.
11. Environmental Considerations
You must be mindful of the chemicals, contaminants, and substances you use to clear blocked drains.
Don’t use harsh chemicals that drain out into the rivers and oceans, harming your environment and also your plumbing system and pipes eventually.
12. Regular Maintenance
Schedule regular drain maintenance to prevent buildup and blockages. This might include using a mild drain cleaner often or having professionals come and check up on your plumbing system, every now and then.
Why Do Drains Get Blocked?
There are several reasons why drains can get blocked or clogged up. Whether it’s in drains in the bathroom or kitchen or even pool drains, they can get blocked up very easily. Let’s explore some of them below,
- Foreign Objects: Things like hair, soap residue, food crumbs, grease, and small objects can easily get washed down the drain and accumulate, causing blockages.
- Tree Roots: Tree roots can infiltrate underground pipes and create blockages by growing inside of them.
- Toilet Paper and Sanitary Products: Flushing down a lot of toilet paper, cotton balls, wet wipes, or any other sanitary products can clog or block up the sewer line and pipes.
- Collapsed or Damaged Pipes: Pipes that are old, corroded, or damaged can collapse or develop cracks, allowing debris to accumulate and obstruct the flow of water.
- Chemicals and Contaminants: Corrosive and abrasive chemicals used in the pool to clean it can cause the pool drain to get clogged up and form difficult blockages that cannot easily be cleared.
- Improper Installation: Pipes and drains not installed properly with poor sloping can lead to water not flowing the right way, allowing dirt and debris to settle and cause blockages.
- Frozen Pipes: In cold climates, frozen water inside pipes can expand and cause blockages, reducing or stopping the flow entirely.
- Improper Disposal: Pouring substances down the drain, like paint, chemicals, or non-biodegradable materials, can cause pipes to get blocked, causing long-term blockages.
- Grease and Fat Buildup: Cooking grease and fat can solidify in the pipes, trapping other debris and causing gradual blockages over time.
- Lack of Maintenance: Neglecting regular drain cleaning and maintenance can allow small things to deteriorate and become large and more serious blockages.
Mistakes To Avoid To Clear Blocked Drains
Here’s a quick glance at some mistakes you must avoid while clearing blocked drains.
- Using harsh chemicals excessively.
- Not using the plunger properly.
- Ignoring the warning signs like slow draining and accumulation of debris on the drain.
- Not wearing the right safety gear to protect yourself from any exposure to harsh chemicals and substances.
- Being too confident in your DIY skills can be problematic, so consider calling professionals when the signs of poor drainage are obvious.
Conclusion
There we have it, a proper guide containing all the things you should consider when fixing blocked drains at home. It can be frustrating when you come across blocked drains, but with a few simple steps and some necessary precautionary measures, you can totally take care of it on your own!
So the next time your home has blocked drains, come back and take a quick peek in here to see what you can do to clear them!
FAQs
1. Do Drains Unblock Themselves?
Ans: A standard blockage, like flushing too much toilet tissue or other stuff that shouldn’t be flushed, is very likely going to clear on its own.
However, if you’re unlucky and the pipes are a little too clogged up, then it’s a serious blockage that won’t clear up until you or a professional does it.
2. What Happens If You Leave A Drain Blocked For A Long Time?
Ans: Leaving a drain blocked for a short time isn’t a good idea at all, let alone leaving it blocked for a long time. Long-term blocked drains will eventually corrode and crack the plumbing system, causing the pipes to burst. And that isn’t a pretty sight for anyone!
3. What Are The Signs of A Blocked Drain?
Ans: Few signs of a blocked drain include slow draining, gurgling noises, foul odors, stagnant water or water backing up, and more.
