Cooking a lot at home lately because of the pandemic? This means more dishwashing, and more reasons for a blocked sink in your kitchen. Blocked drains are the most common reasons why people call a plumber. Blocked sinks can cause a wide range of problems ranging from water that doesn’t drain to foul odor. It’s important to fix such problems in time before they can create more complex issues. If you have a blocked drain, you should know about its signs and the steps you can take to fix the problem.
How to Tell a Blocked Drain?
Blocked drains can cause many problems including damage to your property and health issues among your family and pets. If you experience the following signs, you should call a professional for an inspection:
- Foul Odour: The first sign of the problem is a foul smell. It is similar to the smell emitted by sewage.
- Overflowing: When the drain overflows, it means there is a blockage.
- Gurgling Noise: This will indicate that there is water pooling and gushing against the pipe.
- Slow Draining: If you notice that the shower or sink is taking longer to empty, it means the water is pooling for longer than it should.
What Causes Drains to Get Blocked?
Most homeowners are careful in using their drains the right way. However, it’s still possible to make mistakes. Even everyday applications can cause drains to be blocked.
Some of the common causes for drains are as follows:
- Food Scraps: Food scraps, especially coffee grounds, are common causes of blocked drains.
- Cooking Oil: Cooking oil is excessively viscous and can create blockage when it comes in contact with food debris.
- Soap: Solid soap bars can be lodged inside pipes and create blockages.
- Minerals: Calcium and other minerals can build up inside pipes and cause the formation of other types of blockages.
- Toiletries: Wipes, tissues, nappies, and sanitary products can cause blockages.
Some of the other causes of blocked drains include hair, foreign objects, natural debris, and more.
Clearing Blocked Drains
Once you have determined that there is a blocked drain problem, how are you going to clear it? Here are some of the steps you can take.
i. Use Boiling Water
It is recommended to use boiling water to clear drains blocked by toiletries, conditioners, and grease. Heat will help break these compounds, as they have lower melting points.
ii. Use Plungers
Plungers may seem to be the simplest tools in this context, but they can be quite effective in clearing drains. The vacuum effect may be all that is required for removing the blockage.
iii. Cleaners
Natural cleaners can be used for their fizzing effect. This can help in breaking down the blockages. Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar are good examples and can be used together. If you have more stubborn blocks, consider using caustic cleaners.
iv. Seek Professional Help
If the blockage is difficult for you to clear, you should seek professional help. If you’re one of our dear followers in Sydney, Australia, for example, just google plumber Sydney, make sure it’s a licensed one, and invite him to do an inspection. He’ll be able to inspect and identify the root cause of the problem and use the right technique to fix it. They will have the right equipment and products to clear the blockages quickly and efficiently. From hydro jets to excavation they will know what measures need to be taken for effective results.
So, it is recommended to follow these tips to clear blocked drains in your home. Many times it can be difficult to determine the underlying cause. An experienced professional can not only help identify the cause, but they can also use the right solution for the problem.
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