Plumbing 28 April 2023

How to Unblock Your Drain in 3 Easy Steps

Blocked drains can be a major headache for any homeowner. But before you reach for expensive drain cleaners or call in a plumber, try these three easy steps to unblock your drain.

Step 1: Hot Water

The first step is to flush the drain with hot water. Boil the kettle, then let it stand for a minute or two before pouring — water straight off the boil can soften plastic waste pipe, damage the seals on a trap and crack ceramic, so hot rather than boiling is the rule. Pour slowly, in stages, giving it time to work on the grease. Repeat two or three times.

Step 2: Baking Soda and Vinegar

If boiling water doesn’t do the trick, the next step is to use baking soda and vinegar. This natural cleaning solution can be incredibly effective at breaking down and removing stubborn blockages. Start by pouring half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain with a cloth or plug and let the mixture fizz and bubble for about 10 minutes. Finally, flush the drain with hot water again to wash away any remaining debris.

Step 3: Plunger

If boiling water and baking soda and vinegar don’t work, it’s time to break out the plunger. Fill the sink or tub with enough water to cover the plunger, and then place the plunger over the drain. Push and pull the plunger vigorously to create suction, which can help dislodge the blockage. Repeat this process several times until the water begins to drain away freely.

By following these three easy steps, you can unblock your drain quickly and easily, without the need for expensive drain cleaners or plumbing services. If your drain remains blocked after trying these steps, it may be time to call in a professional plumber.

Remember to take safety precautions. Wear gloves and eye protection, never mix chemical products, and never pour a chemical cleaner into a drain that is completely blocked — it will simply sit there waiting for you.

Step 4: Clean the Trap

If the three steps above have not worked, the blockage is probably in the trap — the U-bend under the sink — and that is well within reach of most homeowners.

Put a bucket underneath, unscrew the two collars by hand, and lift the trap away. Expect it to be full, and expect it to smell. Clear it out, rinse it, check the rubber washers are seated properly and screw it back on hand-tight. Run the tap and watch the joints for a minute before you put everything back in the cupboard.

When It Is Not the Sink

Some clues mean the problem is further along the system, and no amount of plunging at the sink will help:

• More than one fitting draining slowly at once — that points to the shared waste pipe or the drain outside, not the sink.
• Gurgling from another fitting when you run the tap or flush the toilet.
• A smell of drains inside the house, which can indicate a failed trap seal or a blockage backing up.
• The outside gully or manhole standing full.

At that point you need drainage equipment rather than a plunger.

What It Costs to Have Us Clear It

Drainage work is charged at £95 + VAT for the first hour, which is always billable, then £47.50 + VAT for each hour after that. Most straightforward blockages are cleared inside that first hour. If a drain needs jetting or a camera survey to find the cause, we will tell you what is involved and what it will cost before carrying on.

Call 01732 792 454. We cover Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding Kent villages — see our plumbing services.