Clogged drains are a common problem in every home and can be easily caused depending on how much use your showers and taps are getting. In the winter months, you may see an increase in your hot water usage. This can result in a common issue of dirt and debris clogging your drains, as well as hair and other common blockage causers. There are some straightforward and effective methods you can use to effectively prevent your drains becoming clogged up, as well as some easy ways to clean your drains should they become blocked. Allow us to talk you through the most common occurrences and the best way to deal with them.
How to prevent clogged drains
- Take care when showering to ensure hair does not become lodged in your bathroom drains. An easy way to do this would be through installing a mesh cover on your shower drainsto catch hair and any other soap scum or grime. These are available at numerous online retailers.
- Avoid putting food waste down your kitchen sink. Debris such as coffee grounds and poured grease can be some of the most common causes of blocked kitchen drains. Ensuring you dispose of this waste in a food recycling or general bin can avoid this headache.
- You will want to keep an eye on what you and other occupants of your property are flushing down the toilet. Human waste and toilet paper are the things that can be flushed, any sanitary products, wet wipes and dental floss or other dense materials can cause a blockage to your plumbing system.
Effective ways to unblock your drains
Sometimes the old-fashioned way can be the most effective, which is why it is always worthwhile trying a simple plunger to try to force the blockage to move.
You can also try mixing bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, as these two mixed together cause a fizzing reaction, which can be effective at clearing the grime or hair that has built up to cause the block.
If you don’t currently have these 2 available to you, boiling water can sometimes do the trick. Pouring it down the drain at 3-5 second intervals can allow it to work at breaking down the grime and allowing hot water to pass through.
Instead of making your own unblocking solution, you can purchase chemical cleaner from any major supermarket which is designed to wear down these blockages.
Lastly, you can create your own unblocking device, using wire to feed down the pipe and loosen or break up the grime. A wire coat hanger is one of the most effective tools for the job.
If you have tried all these methods to unblock your drain and they have proved ineffective thus far, it might be time to call a plumber. Our team at Platinum Plumbers are specialists when it comes to plumbing solutions for your home. Whether its bathroom sinks, repairs or pipework fitting, our fully qualified professional plumbers are the right team for the job. For any plumbing or heating related enquiries you may have, get in contact with us by calling 020 8855 0361 or emailing.
