Blocked drains are inconvenient, unpleasant and stressful, so cleaning your drains regularly each month will help to reduce the risk of your drains becoming blocked. Many things are recommended to be used to clean and unblock drains. There are a large number of homemade drain unblockers, and many of them actually work!
What do plumbers use for drain unblocking?
How do I prevent blocked drains?
Homemade blocked drain remedies vs Store bought drain unblocking solutions.
Pouring salt down the drains at night
Salt itself doesn’t actually do anything to blocked drains but when it is added to other ingredients like vinegar and baking soda it is a very effective drain-unblocking remedy.
Salt, baking soda and vinegar for drain unblocking?
Pouring this mixture down the drains overnight and then adding hot water in the morning is effective as a drainage cleaning method and works at drain unblocking. There is also another similar remedy where baking soda is replaced with borax.
Washing up liquid and hot water
This is another home remedy that does work on smaller clogs or drain blockages. This remedy works well with blockages due to grease; the washing-up liquid works well on emulsifying the grease and breaking it up so that it can move down the pipes.
Homemade remedies are more beneficial to your drains and pipes because they don’t contain any chemicals that are hazardous to the environment, and your drainage system is dangerous to you and your family.
What do plumbers use for drain unblocking?
Professional plumbers have a whole arsenal of tools that they use for drain unblocking and drainage cleaning services. They have the equipment, experience and knowledge to get your drains cleaned out and working again.
1. Plungers
Plungers are a common tool found in many kitchens, they are not only used by plumbers but can be used by anyone. A plunger works on the kitchen sink by attempting to bring whatever is causing the blocked drain back up the pipe so it can be removed from the plug. Plungers tend to loosen blockages rather than clear them. But they are usually the first step towards drain unblocking.
2. Manual drain snake
A manual drain snake is a flexible, 25-foot-long steel cable that is usually used for drain unblocking when a plunger has not been successful. There are different types of drain snakes which are suitable for different types of clogs. As the snake moves down the pipe it rotates and has a hook on the end that grabs hold of the clog, which is then pulled out of the pipe.
3. Motorized drain snake
When there is no success with a manual drain snake, motorised drain snakes are next in line. These work the same way as the manual drain snake but have a motor so they offer more power and a better reach. They can reach up to 150 feet and can drill themselves into a clog with ease.
4. Drain and sewer line cameras
Drain and sewer line cameras are usually utilised when the clog is thought to be far underground in the sewer line. The use of the camera allows the clog to be precisely located and with modern technology once the plumber is aware of the problem it can be fixed without excavation.
5. Hydro-jetting machine.
When a clog has been detected and can’t be removed using a drain snake, the next technique that plumbers use is hydro-jetting. A hydro-jetting machine uses high-pressure water to remove clogs and clean the pipes. hydro-jetting machines can clear up years of grease, soap, oil, mineral deposits, and just about anything.
How do I prevent blocked drains?
The most common substances that cause blocked drains are oil, grease and fat from cooking going down the kitchen sink. Hair, soap and shampoo down the bath plug or shower plug. Oil is one of the biggest culprits at drain blocking, it is poured down the sink when it is hot and as it cools it begins to solidify and becomes stuck in the pipes combining with whatever else in the pipe.
To prevent blocked drains there are a few tips that you can do.
- Make sure to pour washing-up liquid and hot water down the sink when you put grease or oil down the sink.
- Put a hair trap in your bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers.
Clean your drains monthly