A little bit of cooking oil, a tree root, a superhero action figure, soap scum, hair, and a host of other materials can be the source of your bad day.
They block a drain and force you to spend your Saturday afternoon figuring out how to clear it. But we have good news for you! For most routine blockages, there are a few simple DIY solutions for clearing blocked drains. Check out our favourites here!
1. Toilet Plunger
Every household should have a toilet plunger on hand. While they aren’t needed often, when you have need of one it is usually quite urgent.
Plungers can be used on all kinds of drains, not just toilets. Its function is always the same. Ensure that the suction end gets a good seal around the drain and then tug the handle up and down vigorously. The suction action is often enough to dislodge the clog.
2. Yeast
The bakers in the house will love this one. Yeast makes delicious golden goodness in the oven and also is quite effective at clearing a blocked drain.
Simply dump a couple of packets into the drain. Follow that with half a cup of salt and a cup of boiling water. Let it sit to do its thing for about 45 minutes. Come back and rinse with hot water. With any luck, you’ll have a free-flowing drain!
3. Boiling Water
If you don’t have any yeast on hand, you can always try with just boiling water. This method is often effective in the kitchen where a little bit of congealed cooking grease may be part of what’s causing the blockage. Boiling water melts the grease and breaks up the clot.
4. DIY Drain Snake
Does someone in your household have long or thick hair? Unless you have a really good drain trap, it’s likely that the shower will get clogged up rather frequently.
Luckily, it’s quite easy to clear it out again. You can make a rudimentary drain snake out of a wire hanger.
All you have to do is bend it out straight and make a hook. Insert the hooked end into the drain until you hit the clog. Now you just hook a bit of the clog and pull it out of the drain!
When DIY Fails…
What if all your DIY attempts don’t work? This likely means that you’re dealing with a severe blockage that you won’t be able to clear on your own. To find the root of the problem, you can hire a plumber that offers CCTV services.
This is like a small camera on the end of a long drain snake. The plumber can use it to pinpoint the blockage’s exact location as well as determine what is causing it.
Clear Drains Once More
Most blockages can be taken care of by the homeowner. Different methods may work better than others depending on what is causing the clog. But don’t be afraid to call a plumber if you need help!