If you get a blocked drain, it can be a frustrating and expensive problem to solve. The good news is that there are some simple steps that you can take before calling a plumber if you want to avoid this happening again in the future. Here are nine things to do before calling a plumber for a blocked drain:
What causes blocked drains?
Dirt, food, hair, soap scums and sanitary products can cause a blocked drain.
Old pipes.
Overflowing sinks or toilets.
Leaking pipes. This can be caused by tree roots or insects in the drainpipe that have burrowed into it and made it weepy (hence the name). If you see any of these signs at your home then call us today!
Causes of blocked drains include cleaning products, baby wipes and sanitary products, hair, soap scum and food waste.
If you’re looking for the top causes of blocked drains, it’s worth noting that cleaning products and baby wipes are among the biggest culprits. Hair is another common source of blockages, so make sure your drain is clear before using any type of styling tool such as a flat iron or curling wand on it. Food waste can also cause issues with drains if not properly disposed of in the trash can at home—but if you're not sure where exactly this happens to be stored (i.e., underneath kitchen cabinets), call us instead!
The first thing to do when you have a blocked drain is to check the manhole cover outside your property.
The first thing to do when you have a blocked drain is to check the manhole cover outside your property. These are designed to be easily lifted and will usually have a handle or lever at one end, which will make it easier for you to lift them out of place.
If there's no foreign object stuck inside, try lifting the manhole cover by hand. If this doesn't work, call a plumber!
If you have an old house, your drains may have been built with pipes that are too small to handle modern usage.
If you have an old house, your drains may have been built with pipes that are too small to handle modern usage. This can be a problem if you have a lot of people living in the house or visiting frequently. The result is that water flows slowly through these pipes and ends up backing up into them, blocking them completely or causing other forms of damage to the drain system.
If this happens, there's no need for panic; it's simply an indication that it's time to call someone who knows how to fix broken drains!
Use a plunger.
Plungers are usually made of rubber, but they can also be made of plastic or metal. The best kind to use is one that's made specifically for this purpose, because it will fit perfectly into your drain and push down with ease.
If you don't have any plumbers' tools on hand (or if they're not around), then try using the end of an old broom handle instead! Just wrap its bristles around your drain and push down until water starts flowing again. This method works best for smaller drains that only need minor cleaning; larger ones may require other tools in order to clear them completely out properly
Try using a plumbers' auger or “snake” tool to clear the blockage by hand.
If you are able to remove the obstruction by hand, try using a plumbers' auger or “snake” tool to clear the blockage by hand.
If your drain is completely blocked and not just partially, consider using a plunger to keep pressure on it so that water can flow through it again. This will give you time to call in an expert at least once before calling 911 because most people don't know what else they can do when their drains are clogged up!
If chemical drain cleaners don't work or if they irritate your skin (like paint thinner), pour boiling water down the drain several times until all visible debris is gone from inside your pipes.
Pull out the filter from the top of your kitchen sink and clean it.
If you have a kitchen sink, you will want to make sure that the filter is cleaned regularly. The filter keeps your drain from getting clogged and also prevents grease from going down your drain. To clean the filter, use hot water and dish soap on it and then rinse with cold water.
If there are any particles in your kitchen sink that need removing before they get stuck on the walls or floorboards below them (which can cause serious damage), do so now!
Get some chemical drain cleaner from the supermarket and use it carefully following the instructions on the bottle.
If you're an experienced plumber, it's dangerous and can damage your pipes in the long run.
If you find that chemicals are not working for you, call us for help! Our team will arrive at your home within 30 minutes of receiving your call so that we can get rid of those pesky clogs once and for all!
You can also try pouring boiling water down the drain several times if a chemical cleaner doesn't work.
Boiling water is a great way to clear a blockage. Don't use it if you have a plastic drain, though—that can damage the pipes. If you're using boiling water and you don't have a metal drain or copper pipe, be careful not to scald yourself with hot water!
If none of these solutions works, call a plumber because there is probably an issue with your internal plumbing system.
If none of these solutions works, call a plumber because there is probably an issue with your internal plumbing system.
If you have an old house and your drains are made with pipes that are too small to handle modern usage, then it's likely that you will need to replace those pipes. This can be expensive and time-consuming work that requires special tools and skills, so it's best to get help from professionals who know what they're doing.
Look after your pipes and drains so you avoid blockages.
Keep your drains clear. If you're not sure how to do this, call a plumber to help.
Clean your sink filters regularly. A clogged drain can cause sewage backups and foul smells, which will have you running for the door (or worse). Don't flush sanitary products or other items down the toilet; if they get caught in there, it'll only make things worse! Instead, throw them in the trash where they belong and let that be an extra reminder for yourself—and any guests who may be staying over—that anything of this nature should never be flushed down any drain!
Don't pour grease down sinks either: while we know some people like cooking with melted cheese on bread as much as we do sometimes (and most likely don’t), greasy dishes aren’t good for pipes or drains either because they collect bacteria from dirty hands that can cause serious damage down there later on when other things are trying hard not just push through but also break through all those layers blocking access inside our pipes themselves; plus even if nothing happens after steaming away all those fats off into one pile together somewhere else where nobody has access anymore except maybe us plumbers who come around every week depending upon whether or not someone called us first thing Monday morning before going up north tomorrow afternoon?
Conclusion
It’s important to know how to unblock drains because they are a vital part of modern life.