How to Unclog a Clogged Drain

How to Unclog a Drain - Expert Tips and Tricks

Clogged or blocked drains are one of the most common plumbing issues encountered in a home or business. When it comes to any plumbing issue, 5 Star Drain has always help our customers in providing tips to prevent and manage small blockages.

However, clogged drains can be one of those tricky things that can suddenly appear and if not dealt with quickly, can escalate into a costly and damaging issue.

What Can Cause A Clogged Drain?

Drains can become clogged for a number of reasons, the most common being:

• Food
• Hardened grease waste
• Soap scum
• Foreign objects
• Hair
• Tree roots and garden debris

How to Unclog a Drain

Clogged drains usually require the attention of a blocked drain specialist, but there are several simple home remedies you can try on clogged drains yourself. The following simple methods may be effective in unclogging your drain:

• 1. Plunger

  Fill your sink half full and make sure you are not wearing your best clothes. Before forcing down on the plunger, ensure that there is sufficient water in it (not just air) as you will use the water pressure to clear the clog. Place the plunger completely over the sink hole and press down slowly but firmly. Repeat if you notice that water has begun to drain slowly. If it drains away quickly you have successfully cleared the blockage.

• 2. Coat Hanger

  Straighten out a wire coat hanger and bend one end over to create a small hook. Work this past the drain cover to remove any hair or gunk. Afterwards, run hot water to get everything moving freely again. This technique is most effective when the blockage is in the first 5cm – 10cm of the drain.

• 3. Drain Snake

  If the clog is too deep to unlodge with a coat hanger, a plumbing ‘snake’ or ‘auger’ is great at removing stubborn clogs and is particularly effective in dislodging hair and other debris. A drain snake is a flexible coil of wire that literally ‘snakes’ through the drain to locate and dislodge the cause of the clogging.

• 4. Hot Water

  If the clogged drain was caused by a build-up of grease, then the simplest remedy is pouring hot water down the drain. Water from the tap is probably not hot enough (as the grease has built up despite the tap water), so it’s best to boil some water in a kettle or a large pot first and simply pour it slowly down the drain. However, if you have PVC pipes this is not recommended as boiling water has the potential to cause pipe damage. You may have to pour hot water down your drain several times, letting the water cool in between before it helps dislodge the blockage.

• 5. Coke/Pepsi

  Coke or Pepsi is often better for a drain than it is for the lining of your stomach due to its acidic content. For some clogs it works just as well as commercial clog removers. Coke or Pepsi at room temperature can be poured slowly down the drain. Leave it for an hour or two before rinsing through with hot water.

• 6. Baking Soda & Vinegar

  Sprinkle a small packet of baking soda down the drain, followed by a healthy dose of vinegar. This will fizz it in the drain. It’s best to leave it overnight and then rinse with hot water in the morning. This can be effective in breaking down more stubborn, solid matter over time. Other similar approaches include baking soda and salt with hot water; and washing soda with hot water.

What to Do if You Can’t Unclog a Drain

If you still have a clogged drain and have tried everything you can to get rid of it yourself, it’s time to contact the professionals.

5 Star Drain has access to top-of-the-range drain unclogging equipment such as High-Pressure Water Drain Cleaning, Drain Cameras and metal rods to remove stubborn clogs. The results are immediate, and no harsh chemicals or digging is involved, saving you both time and money.