A blocked drain is not only a plumbing problem, but it causes a lot of inconvenience and damage like foul smell, damage to furniture and interiors. That is why it is important to ensure that blocked drains are fixed immediately and we try and prevent this issue before it occurs. As a homeowner, it will help if you have some basic knowledge of potential issues, you can do the first-level diagnosis and then take the help of professional plumbing services to fix the drain.
How to identify a blocked drain?
The signs of a blocked drain can creep up over time at a slow pace and if left unchecked will become a major issue. The following red flags are easy to spot and can help you identify a blocked drain:
- A foul smell emanating from the sink or a drain hole indicates that some household matter like food and paper has blocked the drain and is decomposing to cause the bad smell.
- An overflowing toilet bowl could point toward a blocked outdoor drain or manhole.
- Gurgling sound in the flush or the drains indicates trapped air. This can help you spot the exact point of blockage as the sound is generated when water tries to flow around a blockage.
- Slow drainage is a very prominent sign of a block in the drain. If you see slow drainage in sink, shower or the toilet bowl there is a surely a blockage obstructing the water flow.
Easy tips to clear blocked drains
Here are some easy tips you can use to clear minor clogs in the drain.
- Boiling water is a simple and non-toxic option to clean blocked sink, drain or toilet bowls. Boiling water will break down grease, food and soap that might be causing the blockage. If you have PVC pipes, you must choose hot water rather than boiling water.
- A combination of baking soda and white vinegar is a great household solution and a natural drain cleaner. After using this solution, you should flush the drain with hot water to remove any remnants.
- Cup plungers are simple and practical non-chemical ways to unclog drains. A plunger helps create air based force that can shift any object that is causing the obstruction.
- Caustic cleaners are commonly used for tough to handle clogs, however, these are not very environment friendly and hence must be used carefully. You must wear a mask and gloves while using these cleaners.
- A severe blockage which cannot be unblocked with these simple measures will need professional intervention. A plumber might need to dig the area around the pipe, remove blockages and repair the damage.
- High pressure water jets can resolve some of the toughest blockages. However, these need to be operated by professional plumbers as the force is very strong. This is commonly used when tree roots are blocking the main drains.
If you think the blockage is not so tough can be resolved with one of the DIY tips you should try that, in case of a large-scale property or a tough block you must call for a commercial plumbing service.
