Has your shower become somewhat of an unwanted bathtub after a few minutes of scrubbing? Perhaps your toilet isn’t “taking care of business” like it used to or your kitchen sink struggles to expel that dirty dishwater after your evening meal.
This is unfortunately common for many homeowners and renters. Blocked drains are amongst the most common reasons to call a professional plumber in Melbourne, it’s an essential service with straightforward solutions most of the time. It’s always a good idea to call a plumber for blocked drains, but truth be told there are a few instances where it’s fine to unclog it yourself.
Here are a few quick tips to DIY unclog your drains and tips on when you should call a plumber:
Plunge Your Toilet
One of the more annoying clogs you might experience is with your toilet, the place where all of your business goes bye-bye (or at least, should). Some toilet clogs are caused by blockages just beyond the bowl and can often be easily removed with a little elbow grease and a good plunger.
If you haven’t got a plunger yet, try to pick up a decent one with a flange. Flanged plungers give you better suction and make the job easier. You could apply a little lubricant around the lip of the plunger if you want to have an easier go of it.
Once you’ve got your plunger, press it down gently over the bowl until you’ve got a decent seal, then begin plunging for a few minutes. Usually the debris will get unclogged on its own and you should be back in business. If it doesn’t, the clog is likely deeper inside and a toilet snake may be needed. Call your plumber if you’ve tried plunging and it doesn’t unclog the toilet.
Use a Wire
Clogged sinks and shower drains can sometimes be removed with a little wire, especially if you fashion a hook so that you can pull out the blockage. Old wire coat hangers might do the job but do try to only use this for clogs that are near to the drain and avoid scratching around too much as this can easily cause more damage.
Baking Soda & Vinegar Solution
Rather than using harsh chemical products to clean out your drains (many of which wear out the lining and damage your plumbing), you might want to try making a solution of baking soda and vinegar.
Mix the two together and pour it down the drain. The bubbling reaction can help loosen up clogs and allow for water to pass through again.
Use Caution with Your Drains
This might not help you after the fact, but it’s awfully good to follow regardless. Try to be careful about what goes down the drain. Toilets should only be used for human waste and toilet paper, kitchen sinks should only be for dirty water and not for foodstuffs or hot oil/grease, and shower drains should be kept clean of hair and chunks of soap if possible.
When in Doubt, Call a Plumber
Traditional methods of unclogging your drains can sometimes work, but there are some cases where you could end up damaging your pipes and causing even further problems. Whenever you’re in doubt, call a plumber in Melbourne for professional drain blockages.
Our plumbers at FastnLocal plumbing use modern techniques such as drain cameras and hydro jetting so that your plumbing remains in good condition whilst your clogs are no more.
FastnLocal Plumbing
Clear out your drains professionally with the fast and dependable services of FastnLocal Plumbing.