If your kitchen sink isn’t draining correctly, don’t panic. It’s most likely that you have a mini-fatberg or some vegetable residue that’s causing the problem. And though unclogging can be a dirty and smelly business, the solutions are often straightforward.
Here are some blocked drain fixes. If these DIY solutions don’t work, just give us a call at M.Gaze and ask for our drain unblocking services for the home and septic tanks. Likewise, always feel free to ask us about our septic tank emptying services!
Boiling water
Pouring boiling water into your drain is a fast and effective fix to melt away fat blockages. Just boil up a kettle of water, then pour down the drain in stages, pausing every few seconds to let the water drain.
If you have PVC pipes, ensure you use hot, not boiling, water because the extra heat can loosen the joints.
DIY cleaner
A mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is another simple way to get your drains unblocked. First, pour bicarbonate of soda down the drain, followed by an equal amount of vinegar. Then cover the drain to prevent the mixture from bubbling out. The chemical reaction soon gets to work on cleaning out your pipes, and you can add some lemon juice to combat any odours. Follow with hot or boiling water to complete the deep clean.
If you have a septic tank, this is an excellent way to deal with a blocked pipe issue without disturbing the system.
Chemical cleaners
If your blockage is proving particularly stubborn, try a chemical unblocker. These powerful solutions can dissolve hair, grease and food to clear your drains.
Always follow the instructions and wear protective gloves to prevent burns from any spills. Left to work overnight, chemical unblockers are highly effective. However, they are harmful to the environment. Use them sparingly, and always check whether they’re suitable for use with a septic tank.
Biological cleaners
Many chemical unblockers are a no-no if you have a septic tank system. For example, caustic soda can kill off good bacteria and upset the balance of the system. However, you can find biological unblockers that depend on enzymes to chew through the blockage. If the problem isn’t too severe, and if you’re keen to use more environmentally-friendly products around the home, this is a good solution.
Plunger
Using a plunger is another old-school method for clearing unwanted blockages. Again, you’ll need a bit of strength, and you must create a good seal before you start the up-and-down plunging movement. But a plunger can be highly effective for solid blockages, so give it a try before you call the plumber.
Clean out the U-bend
If you feel confident about tackling a more advanced plumbing task, you could try tackling the U-bend under your sink. Start by putting an empty bucket under the pipe to catch any drips. Then use a wrench to loosen both ends of the U-bend. Next, remove the pipe, and empty the contents into the bucket. Now, use an old toothbrush to dislodge any blockages in the pipework and rinse through with cold water. Finally, replace the U-bend and run the tap to ensure the blockage is cleared.
Try a snake
You can buy a plumber’s snake from any DIY store, which can be effective at clearing more severe blockages. The cable or snake has a coil at one end. This coil rotates as you feed the line into the pipe to dislodge the blockage and clear the pipe. However, a snake can damage your pipework if misused, so now could be the time to call a plumber!
Need a plumber? Give us a call | M.Gaze septic tank specialists
Some drains aren’t so easy to unblock. If you want fast, efficient, and reliable drain unblocking service in Norfolk or Suffolk, feel free to contact us today. Take a look at our other services too, such as septic tanking emptying.