How to Unblock a Drain: 5 Really Easy Ways

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how to unblock a drain

Do you have a drain that water takes forever to flow down?

Whether it’s in a bath, shower, or sink, dealing with a blockage is annoying. Maybe you don’t want to call a plumber, but don’t want to deal with a clogged drain either?

Luckily, there are several easy DIY drain unblocking methods that don’t require any special skills or pieces of equipment.

Keep reading to find out how to unblock a drain the easy way.

1. Pour Boiling Water Down Drain

This has got to be the easiest way to unblock a drain ever, and you’d be surprised at how well it works.

Simply boil your kettle, then slowly pour the hot water down your drain. It should help to break up and flush away whatever’s causing the blockage.

Make sure you pour directly down the drain and not onto the ceramic which could crack. Don’t use this trick if you have PVC pipes, as it could damage their joints.

2. Try Vinegar and Baking Soda

Boiling water trick didn’t work? Go a step further by mixing vinegar and baking soda to create a fizzy concoction with great unblocking power.

Use one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar, pour down the drain, then leave to fizz for 30 minutes before washing away with hot or boiling water.

These two ingredients are helpful for many cleaning tasks, so keep them handy at all times.

3. Use a Coat Hanger to Clear Debris

Is your sink blocked with hair, soap, or other debris?

Try bending a coat hanger to create a straight, hooked end that you can slot down the drain and use to pull out whatever’s in there. Make sure you don’t push the blockage further down the pipe where it will be harder to remove.

This method might sound a little gross, but it’ll be well worth it!

4. Try a Wet and Dry Vacuum

Do you own a wet and dry vacuum?

Try turning on the wet setting, pushing onto your drain to create a seal, then switching on the suction. This should dislodge anything that’s in there, making it easier to rinse away.

Never try this with a regular vacuum cleaner.

5. Unblock With a Cup-Shaped Plunger

If nothing else is working, grab a cup-shaped plunger, fit to your drain, and use sharp upward motions to clear the clog. Once you’re done, give the drain a good rinse with hot water.

Try using a sink plunger as part of your regular drain cleaning routine to prevent future issues.

Don’t use a flanged plunger, as they’re not designed for sinks and won’t work well.

How to Unblock a Drain That’s Badly Clogged

You now know how to unblock a drain using simple DIY methods. However, some blockages might be beyond the help of home remedies, especially if they’ve built up over a long time.

In these cases, contact an expert for professional drain cleaning. Once your drain is sorted, you can use the tips above to keep on top of maintenance and prevent the same thing from happening again.

Want more handy tips to use around the home? Check out the rest of our blog posts today.

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