Dealing with a blocked drain is frustrating, especially when they pop up out of nowhere, which, somehow, always ends up being the busiest day and or week of your life. With that in mind, we wanted to share with you some helpful information about the options available to you when fixing your blocked drain.
Before attempting to fix your blocked drain, it’s helpful to be informed about what the possible causes could be. The most common causes of blocked drains are soap scum and grease buildup, hair, food, sanitary products and foreign objects and in some rare cases, tree roots. If you suspect that the issues go beyond the ones listed and seem like your pipe might be cracked or broken, this is a more serious problem and should be inspected and fixed by a plumbing professional.
Soap Scum and Grease Build Up
If you’re experiencing general causes such as soap scum and grease build-up, a simple home fix method is pouring boiling water down the drain. The boiling water will break down the stubborn grease and scum and go down the drain. If this doesn’t work, another way you can attempt to clear it is by using baking soda. After you’ve attempted the boiling water, follow it up with a cup of baking soda, followed by a half cup of boiling water and cleaning vinegar. This mixture works because the baking soda and vinegar work together to create a bubbling and fizzy chemical reaction, which helps to break down the scum. After you finish, be sure to follow up with a large cup or jug of hot water to really flush out the remaining grease.
If you’re feeling uneasy about the process or think that it could be a more serious problem, it’s best to call us at Enjoy Plumbing, so you can be assured that the blockage is gone and that no serious issues are occurring.
Hair, Food, sanitary or foreign objects.
Another general cause, such as hair, food, sanitary products and foreign objects, can be cleared out with a drain snake or plunger. If the biggest problem is hair buildup, this can be fixed with drain cleaner. Check the product for the correct instructions and follow them carefully. If the drainage cleaner doesn’t dissolve the hair, consider grabbing a drain snake from your local hardware store. It can be a little tricky to use, but it can really help when you have a moment’s notice to get your drain cleared. If you’re dealing with food, sanitary products, foreign objects, or the hair hasn’t budged from the drain, try using a plunger. Ensure that your sink or toilet has water in the basin before you start. Place the plunger over the sink, then plunge the sink repeatedly until the sink is clear.
After you’ve attempted to clear the drain with the drain cleaner, drain snake and plunger, and you’re still not seeing progress, it’s time to consider getting in touch with the plumbing professionals. It may seem like a nuisance to get us involved, but we assure you it’s a safer and more cost-effective solution to ask for assistance.
Tree Roots, broken or damaged drain.
If you suspect that your blocked drain is beyond standard causes but is instead being caused by tree roots or broken/damaged drains, these are more complicated issues, and you should seek help from your local professionals. Or thought it would be great if we could offer advice on fixing these problems, it’s best if you don’t attempt to handle them on your own.
When the problem arises, get in touch with us at Enjoy Plumbing, and we will send out a team to diagnose the problem as soon as possible. Once the problem has been identified, we will determine the best and most efficient way to get your drain back in working order. If your drains are blocked by tree roots, it can be easily fixed with our state-of-the-art tools. We use methods such as hydro jetting, plushing out the tree roots, and if that doesn’t work, we will use our robotic cutting tool. The tool grinds and cuts away the stubborn roots to make them easier to remove. Once the tree roots are clear, we will check if the pipes have been cracked or damaged and fix them accordingly.
If, in fact, the tree roots have damaged the pipes or you are generally dealing with broken or cracked pipes, we offer additional services for these issues. Our team will determine the problem, remove the existing pipes and install new ones. Your broken drain pipes will be fixed in no time and back in working condition.
The next time you’re dealing with blocked drains, try out our helpful tips and advice on how to clear them on your own and let us know how you go. If you do, however, not feel comfortable handling these issues on your own or find that the problem is bigger than expected, be sure to seek us out at Enjoy Plumbing so we can help. If you’re dealing with problems now, get in touch with us today via our website and get a free, no-obligation quote. If you have any questions or prefer to discuss over the phone, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 0480 808 387.
