Blocked Drain Emergencies Dos & Don'ts

Assessing If You Have a Blocked Drain

Several signs may indicate the presence of a blocked drain in your home:

• Water and gas backing up or water gas draining very slowly from sinks, tubs, or showers
• Gurgling sounds coming from drains
• Unpleasant sewer odours wafting from drains can signify a need for inspection
• Toilets that flush slowly or not completely
• Pools of stagnant water around floor drains

The most common culprits of household drain blockages include accumulations of hair, soap residue, grease, food scraps, and other debris. These materials can cling to pipe walls and severely restrict water flow over time. Catching a blockage early and addressing the cause is key to avoiding major backups and flooding.

If you suspect a drain blockage, resist the urge to continue pouring water down the affected drain.

Doing so can exacerbate the situation as the clog drains your patience with overflows. Likewise, avoid using too much harsh chemical drain cleaner, as it can damage pipes, and if issues persist, see a plumber soon. When it comes to serious blockages, consider calling a professional plumber for assistance.

Safe Methods to Attempt Unblocking at Home

When comes the time to tackle a minor drain blockage in your house, there are some safe DIY methods you can try before calling a plumber:

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix 1⁄2 cup baking soda with 1⁄2 cup white vinegar and pour down your drain to tackle blockages. Place a damp rag over the drain to contain the fizzing reaction. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with hot water.

Plunger

If your bathroom or kitchen sink is clogged, fill the basin with enough water to cover the drain opening. Submerge a plunger and plunge forcefully several times to correct the slow flow caused by the blockage.

Handheld Drain Auger

For intractable clogs, a manual drain snake can dislodge debris in a drain blocked with hair and grease. Slowly feed a few feet of the auger down the pipe and twist once reaching the clog to hook and extract it.

While these methods may provide temporary relief for minor clogs, recurring or complete blockages still warrant the help of a professional plumber to inspect pipes and prevent future issues.

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

A safe, home solution for minor drain clogs combines baking soda and vinegar. Here’s how to use this simple, natural home remedy:

1. Pour 1⁄2 cup of baking soda down the blocked drain first. This coats the inside of pipes to react with the vinegar.
2. Next, Pour 1/2 cup of household white vinegar down. A fizzing reaction will occur.
3. Cover the drain with a damp towel to contain the reaction and gases. Caution – do NOT mix these ingredients in advance or you may get sprayed!
4. Allow the mixture to work on the blockage for 5-10 minutes.
5. Finally, run boiling water down the drain for 1-2 minutes to help flush away any loosened debris.

Repeat the process if needed for stubborn clogs. Just make sure not to combine baking soda and vinegar too soon after using harsh chemical drain cleaners, as dangerous chemical reactions can occur.

Although this method doesn’t guarantee a complete unblock, it effectively removes hair, soap scum, and grease without damaging pipes. Be sure to follow up with a professional drain inspection if you experience recurring clogs.

Employing Plungers and Drain Snakes

Plungers and drain snakes can be useful tools for clearing minor household clogs before calling a professional.

Using a Plunger

Plungers create suction, effectively dislodging blockages. To address a stubborn clog:

1. Fill the sink halfway with water to cover the drain opening
2. Firmly place the plunger over the drain and plunge up and down rapidly 10-15 times
3. Flush with hot water to rinse away debris

For toilets, confirm there’s no air escape around the plunger for optimal effectiveness. Vigorously work the plunger to dislodge the clog.

Drain Snakes

A drain snake has a corkscrew tip to snag and remove debris. Slowly insert the auger down the pipe, crank the handle once touching the clog, then carefully remove while twisting.

Frequent blockages often suggest you may need a professional to check for damaged or poorly installed pipes. But for occasional minor clogs, these handy tools offer a simple solution.

Knowing When to Call a Professional

Minor drain problems can often be handled with DIY methods, but some situations require prompt professional plumbing services:

• Water is overflowing from drains or toilets
• Multiple drains are completely clogged throughout your entire home
• You have recurring clogs that DIY approaches fail to fully clear
• Still water won’t drain from sinks or tubs
• Unpleasant sewage odours are present
• You experience drain or sewer line backups

Avoid using harsh chemical drain cleaners or boiling water without proper knowledge; these methods might worsen blockages and cause pipe damage. Likewise, you should never ignore overflowing sewage due to health risks.

A professional plumber should inspect your sewer pipes and gas fixtures with a camera for safe and effective clog removal.

Preventing Blocked Drains

Prevent blocked drains with these simple daily measures:

• Install sink strainers and cover drains to catch hair and food debris before it disrupts the smooth flow of water down sink pathways
• Dispose of oil and grease in the garbage instead of down your drains to prevent build-up.
• Monthly, flush drains with hot water to reduce grease build-up.
• Avoid flushing anything besides toilet paper to prevent buildup
• Use a drain maintainer product monthly to break up soap scum and organic matter
• Check under sinks regularly for small leaks that allow grime to stick to pipes
• Seek plumbing services periodically to professionally clean the main sewer line with a hydrojetter

Making these easy habits part of your routine can also help minimise the risk of serious clogs in plumbing fixtures or supply lines.

Installing Drain Strainers

Installing drain strainers is an easy way to help prevent clogs by catching debris before it enters your pipes. There are a few types available:

Sink Strainers

Sink strainers fit inside the drain opening to filter out food scraps and hair. They twist apart for easy cleaning and feature small holes to allow water flow while trapping particles.

Tub Strainers

Tub strainers are highly effective for maintaining a clear shower drain as well. Look for ones with fine mesh panels across the drain cover to effectively catch hair and soap scum before it causes issues downstream.

Floor Drain Strainers

Perforated floor drain strainers catch debris while allowing liquid to pass through. This helps prevent basement or garage flooding by keeping leaves, dirt and other materials from clogging drains.

Drain strainers should be cleaned periodically to remove built-up gunk. Using these devices reduces the accumulation of hair, food, and other debris in pipes, preventing blocked drains.

Avoiding Harmful Drain Practices

There are some common drain practises that can be very harmful to plumbing systems over time:

• Pouring fats, oils, or grease down the drain - These materials coat pipes and solidify, which can cause narrowed pipes and blockages
• Flushing wet wipes or paper towels - Many “flushable” wipes don’t break down and wind up clogging pipes
• Using chemical drain cleaners too frequently - Caustic cleaners damage pipes and plumbing fixtures
• Pouring paint, motor oil, or other hazardous materials down drains - These substances can result in a blocked sewer and impact wastewater treatment systems

• Collect used fats/oils and dispose properly in the trash
• Only flush toilet paper and use garbage cans for all other items
• Use biodegradable products marked septic-safe for rural properties
• Limit use of chemical drain cleaners unless absolutely necessary

Making conscientious efforts to keep harmful materials out of drains prevents blockages, backups, and damage further along that can lead to expensive plumbing repairs.

Maintaining Long-Term Drain Health

To keep drains flowing freely long-term, make periodic maintenance a priority. In between, pour a natural drain maintainer containing enzymes and bacteria monthly down each drain to digest organic matter. Install tub and sink drain strainers to catch debris. Flush your drains with boiling water followed by cold water every 1-2 months to dissolve soap scum and grease. Finally, dispose of fats/oils in the trash, use enzyme drain cleaners instead of caustic chemicals when needed, and limit use of abrasive drain snakes which can damage pipes over time with repeated use.

Performing Regular Drain Cleaning

Regular drain cleaning is crucial for preventing blockages and ensuring smooth water flow. Here is a simple recipe to use monthly:

Baking Soda and Vinegar Drain Cleaner

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• Kettle of hot water

1. Pour the baking soda down the drain first to coat the inside of the pipes
2. Follow with the vinegar and place a damp rag over the drain as the ingredients bubble and fizz
3. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes to break things up
4. Rinse everything down with a full kettle of hot water from the tap

This mixture is effective in dissolving hair, soap scum, and greasy blockages. Conclude by flushing with very hot water to clear any leftover grease or grime.

A drain strainer can catch excess hair and debris, preventing clogs. Adopting regular monthly cleaning and maintenance habits keeps drains clear and helps avoid blockages.

Using Biodegradable Products

Biodegradable products can substantially lower the risk of drain blockages and reduce environmental harm.

Choose eco-friendly alternatives for household items such as:

• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Cleaning products
• Personal care items

Opt for products clearly marked as safe for septic systems, sewers, or greywater. These break down through natural processes without leaving chemical residues that destroy beneficial bacteria or coat pipes.

Steer clear of products labelled antibacterial or disinfectant, as they may kill beneficial microbes vital for biodegradation. Also, limit the use of bleach and other harsh chemicals.

Products containing chemicals, microplastics, and other non-biodegradable ingredients get flushed down drains daily, polluting waterways and accumulating inside pipes. Over time, this speeds up blockages.

Switching to natural, biodegradable products is more eco-friendly and gentler on your plumbing. Along with using biodegradable products, install drain strainers, don’t dispose of fats/oils down drains, and keep up with regular maintenance to best prevent clogs.