Nobody is safe from the annoyance of a blocked drain, you will seldom cross paths with someone who hasn’t had to deal with one at some time or another. To help minimise their occurrence in your household, read on for tips on diagnosing, treating and preventing pipe impasses.
Signs of a Clogged Drain
- Water pool formation around shower drains
- Slow draining of water after forming pools
- Gurgling noises coming from the drains, particularly after using household appliances which use water, such as the dishwasher or washing machine
- An acrid smell wafting from the kitchen sink
- Water pool formation on the floor around the sink or bath
- Water rising back up out of a drain (often sink or shower)
Clearing the Drain
Unless the blockage is extremely minor, your best bet is always to contact a professional. Professional plumbing & heating specialists have a range of tools with which to clear a variety of drains.
For some blockages they will use a plunger or a special type of rod called a drain snake, and for other jobs they will used specialised suction or pressurised machines to either flush out or draw up blockages, depending on the material, type of pipe and location of the blockage within the pipe.
Professional plumbers do not tend to use any harsh chemicals like the ones you can find in DIY drain clearing bottles because these substances can compromise the integrity of the pipe and therefore its longevity.
If you’re determined to confront the drain yourself before calling in the professionals, try to stick to non-invasive measures such as a plunger or natural substances such as lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda followed by hot (but NOT boiling!) water.
Preventative Measures
Whether its food down the sink, hair in the plughole or baby wipes down the toilet, you’d be surprised how many ‘flushable’ items will, in fact, clog your drains. If in doubt – put the item in the bin. Use appropriate disposal methods for food waste and keep your plugholes free from hair and other debris by cleaning after each use.