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Simple ways to unblock a drain

There are blocked drains, and there are Blocked Drains . Sometimes it's just a few bits of food stuck in the U-bend and then there are the larger issues such as tree roots, drain collapse or a large blockage in the main drain. If your sink or bath is slow to drain you could have the beginnings of a blockage. Now is the time to rectify the situation before it becomes a major issue.

Plunger

The plunger is a great first option as there is no need for nasty chemicals or getting up to your elbows in gunk (hopefully). Cover the drain opening completely with the plunger, press and pull (without releasing the suction) rapidly for about 30 seconds. Remove and check to see if the water is draining. If not, repeat the plunging. This process can bring the blockage up into the sink or push it along the drain. Have the rubbish bin or plastic bag handy to remove the debris and prevent it from re-blocking the drain.

Chemical Drain Cleaner

We don't recommend the use of chemical drain cleaners for many reasons. Firstly, they are not very effective. The cleaner may dissolve small amounts of hair and grease but have minimal to no effect on other blockages. Secondly, the chemicals can damage your drain or plumbing systems if used repeatedly. Lastly, they are very bad for the environment and can cause burns to the skin if misused. This may seem like the quick and easy option but, in the long run, it could prove to be the opposite.

Book a drain plumber

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This method can help with small blockages or partially blocked drains. We recommend the use of gloves when using boiling water and ensuring the room is well-ventilated to avoid inhaling fumes.

  • Pour boiling water down the drain, about 1 litre.
  • Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain opening.
  • Let the baking soda sit for about 5 minutes.
  • Pour down 1 cup of vinegar mixed with 1 cup of boiling water.
  • Loosely cover the drain opening with the plug.
  • Let this mixture sit in the drain for approximately 10 minutes.
  • Flush with 1 litre of boiling water.

Cleaning drains

Regularly removing and cleaning the U-bend under the sink will remove any debris buildup and can prevent blockages from moving along the drain pipe.

Professional Drain Clearing

If your drain is still blocked after trying any of the above methods you will need the help of a professional. Reline Solutions uses several different procedures to unblock your drains including using a drain camera , water jetting and using a robotic cutter. For more information on using these processes when clearing blocked drains.

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