Blocked Drains – 5 Tips You Can Use Today

There’s nothing worse than that dreaded blocked drain. When that mysterious unknown starts to defy gravity and flow back out the wrong way. Aside from the inconvenience alone, blocked drains can pose major health risks as what appeared to be a mystery turns out to be harmful bacteria.

So what causes this misery and what can be done about it? Unfortunately there is no end to what may cause blocked drains. Some of the top culprits however, are quite common. Foreign objects, debris, hair, food, and soap/mineral buildup are among the most frequent offenders. Luckily, with a little know how and maintenance, most of these can be avoided.

Making use of a drain trap is your first line of defense against blocked drains. When those aren’t available, taking time to retrieve dropped items such as buttons or hair pins, and regularly pulling out hair and other debris can go a long way in preventing future problems.

Regular maintenance of your drains is as easy as a baking soda and vinegar solution to keep grease, soap, and chemicals from building up over time. And of course, know when to use the drain or the trash can. Keep things like sanitary wipes, cotton, and diapers away from drains (as well as children and their toys).

Some tips to you can use at home to fix blocked drains

When maintenance falls short, some at-home techniques can be employed. Here’s a list of the easiest do-it-yourself fixes:

- Often times all that is needed is to clear out the blockage by pulling trapped debris, objects, or hair out.
- If the clog is too far down to simply pull out, a wire with a hook shaped at the end (wire hangers work well), can be used to dislodge the offending clog.
- A traditional plunger can be employed by first blocking any connecting drains or overflow points.
- As a last resort before calling in the professionals, chemicals may need to be used. The safest, and most economical is ammonia. Ammonia dissolves grease and fat, and can often take care of basic blocked drains.
- More expensive and more dangerous chemical aids can be purchased, however great care should be taken when used.

How much can I expect to pay a professional to fix blocked drains?

Occasionally, despite every attempt made, professionals may be needed. Modern technology enables these drain cleaning experts to be far superior when the do-it-yourself know-how runs dry. Though the cost may seem an unfit trade-off -anywhere from $50 an hour on up to a couple hundred dollars or more for fixing major problems- it may be worth preventing future damage (and cost).

Instead of risking bending or otherwise damaging pipes and drains by trying to disassemble them – or cleaning them with caustic chemicals- let the experts assess and solve problems that are not easily cared for at home. With professional quality snakes, hydro jets, and even video surveillance of your lines, plumbers can usually save you time, hassle, and sometimes even money.

So from do-it-yourself maintenance and plungers to professionals and expert plumbers, let those dreaded blocked drains be a mystery solved and a danger averted.