How to deal with clogged and blocked drains? 

Have you noticed a gurgling sound coming from your bathroom or kitchen drains? It could be for several reasons. Clogged drains can cause flooding, damage property and spread disease to humans and animals. These are some of the first indicators of a blocked drain:

Bad odour 

An odd odour could be the first warning indicator. It usually smells like sewage, and you might worry whether someone neglected to flush it when you first notice it. If you see any of these other symptoms, it may be time to call a plumber.

Overflowing 

You’ve probably gotten used to seeing everything go straight down the drain. So naturally, it’s rather unsettling to watch the water rise again. A clogged drain is evidenced by water rising above the drain’s lip. 

Gurgling noises

When water begins to gurgle, it collects and puts pressure on the pipe. Most of the time, this indicates an obstruction of some sort. 

Slow drainage

You may have to wait longer for the water to drain from your sink or shower. Typically, the condition will only get worse before it gets better, indicating that the obstruction is getting worse. 

Ways to unclog drains  

Use Boiling Hot water

Pouring boiling water down a slow or clogged drain in the bathroom or kitchen for 5 to 10 minutes may help. The fats, oils, and grease that have partially blocked the drain should be easier to remove now. The food particles, soap scum, and makeup residue that have adhered to the walls and sides of your pipes will be loosened as well. If it doesn’t clear everything the first time, doing this over and over can help.  

Soak the drain in a chemical cleanse

Many types of drain clogs can be removed with chemical drain cleaners like oxidising, caustic drain cleaners, and acids. Commercial drain cleaners typically contain less muriatic acid and could be worth a try. Use these cleaners, and anything blocking your drain will dissolve. These chemical drain cleaners work by changing the clog’s chemical composition, which triggers a process that dissolves the clog’s components and carries them down the drain.  

Make Use of a Plunger 

You can safely clear a clogged drain using a plunger after pouring hot water or drain cleaner down it. Likewise, a blockage in a pipe can be broken up by applying extra force with a plunger. Again, use this with running water to assist in breaking up the bottleneck and flush it out of the pipes. 

Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are yet another option for clearing clogged drains. Quickly pouring it down the drain can help the fizzing action loosen and dissolve grease, hair, and other buildups. Once that is done, splashing boiling water over the area often solves the problem. 

Bottom Line 

No matter how well made, plumbing fixtures of any kind are susceptible to having their drain lines become clogged. Learning how to clear blocked drains can make it a lot easier to manage even if it doesn’t entirely eliminate the problem, giving you more time to call a professional plumber for a complete fix. One of the most prevalent types of irritants is human hair. Other typical irritants include food, grease and oil, soap, and bath toys. If you see water gathering in your pipes as a result of a clogged line, there are a few low-cost options you can test out before resorting to calling a plumber. These remedies can be tried before you make the decision to hire a professional plumber.