How to unblock a drain

The seven ways to conquer a blocked drain

The occurrence of a blocked drain in your home or office is a huge pain, no matter the day or time. If you are thinking that you would like to give a DIY option a go before calling in the professionals - we do not recommend this! - then here are a few options you can try. Always make sure you look at all the positives and negatives before starting though and do some research. If you are unsure in any way, call a drain plumbing specialist to help out.

1. With a search of the U-bend

Before you start trying a whole range of options, check the u-bend of your sink to see if that is where the blockage is located. It is quite common that food obstructions only get as far as the u-bend, so save yourself some time and effort by placing a bucket under the sink, unscrewing the 2 connections and giving it a clean.

2. With some natural help

If you are thinking that your blocked drain is likely caused by a buildup of soap, an easy option is to run some boiling water down the drain to see if this breaks it up… but be careful you don’t burn yourself or melt any seals around your sink!

Another option is to utilise natural enzymes to unclog your drain, so put ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of bi-carb soda, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of hot water down the pipe (in that exact order) and see how that goes - it won’t hurt you, the environment or your drains, so you are welcome to try it as many times as you’d like. It likely won’t be too successful against serious obstructions, however, so check out your local supermarket or health food store to see if they have any natural alternatives that are a little stronger.

3. With a plunger

The traditional ‘plunger’ approach is one that most people will attempt themselves at least once before asking for help. A plunger works by forcing an obstruction from a pipe by pushing air through it - the downward force that you place on a plunger is designed to clear a blocked drain.

Handy hint - before you start plunging, use a damp cloth to cover the overflow and act as a seal, so the air is forced to leave through the obstruction. This goes for double sinks too - cover the other drain off so you have the best pressure possible.

It is one of the most successful DIY methods, so make sure you have a few goes before giving up!

4. With some toxins

A common approach is the toxic one - the use of Caustic Acid, Hydrochloric Acid or Drano to attack a blocked drain. They are available at most hardware stores and many supermarkets, and generally require a breathing mask and gloves to use. Always follow the instructions very carefully and never place hot water down a drain following the use of chemicals, as the chemicals may spray back up in your face.

5. With a little technical assistance

If you are finding that your blocked drain is a little stubborn, you can hire a drain auger (otherwise known as an electric eel or a plumber’s snake) from a range of hire facilities. Note however that these tools take quite a bit of skill to use properly, and can cause more harm than good if used incorrectly. They can also cause quite a mess, so make sure if you do venture into this option that you practice great hygiene and wear extensive protective clothing.

6. With some professional reinforcement

As hard as it may be to admit, a lot of the time it is best to just call your local drain plumber to help out. They are appropriately qualified and have the tools and experience to complete the job quickly and efficiently. They will likely save you some time, effort and money in both the short and long term, so don’t be afraid to get in contact with them.

7. By preventing altogether

In order to prevent blocked drains from occurring, services such as pipe relining are the best option. They both fix blocked pipes and prevent them from occurring in the future - prevention is the best choice!

After a little more info about blocked drains? Head to our Blocked Drains Information section.

Your qualified blocked drain experts

If you are in need of some further assistance with a blocked drain in your home or office, give Reline Solutions a call at 0403 355 550 or complete an online job enquiry form now. We are your local Brisbane specialists when it comes to all kinds of blocked drains.

Resources :

Queensland Government (Plumbing Laws) : https://www.qld.gov.au/law/your-rights/legal-and-property-rights/laws-for-building-houses-and-pools/plumbing-laws