Easy Fix: 7 Ways to Unclog Your Drains

1. Boiling Water

Boiling water is an age-old trick that can solve your cold bath problems. It is the easiest to acquire or prepare and is readily available. A boiling water solution will work against grease buildup; just pour it directly down the drain. The downside? It is not advisable to pour boiling water into PVC pipes or ones that can warp and melt.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another homemade treatment made it to the list, and this one solves a range of household problems. Vinegar contains high acidity levels; combined with baking soda; the reaction is a powerful chemical transformation that can remove rust and other problematic buildups.

This cheap method can solve blockage issues caused by food, grease, and other material. Except for the hair, that one you can easily remove with your bare hands.

Combine this solution with the previous one: pour boiling water into the drain, and wait until it clears. Follow it up with a cup of baking soda, and wash it down with a combination of hot water and vinegar.

3. Plunger

Manually unclogging the drain is also an option; that would probably be the first solution you can come up with. It's time to bring out the plunger and start pumping.

Plunging works best for dislodging blockages instead of dissolving them. Notably, it is recommended for solid blockages. The pressure inside the drain is buildup by the air compression created by the plunger, and enough built-up pressure will dislodge the accumulated food or hair.

It is best to choose the right plunger; the cup plunger should fit the drain size. Remove the grate or stopper from the drain, and create the seals as tightly as possible. Fill the sink half full, and force the plunger down; the water pressure will help clear the clog.

Observe the water and notice how long it takes for the water to drain. Repeat the process if you see the water slowly draining until the duration it takes shortens.

4. Coat Hanger

Coat hangers are no plumber's snake, but they can also do the job if it is extended enough to reach some of the clogs inside the drain.

Here's how to do it:

1. First, straighten the hanger wire, but create a small hook shape at one of its ends.
2. Use the hook-shaped end of the straightened hanger wire and insert it through the kitchen drain.
3. Begin fishing for the blockage;
4. Do not push in a downwards movement; instead, use prodding motions to help dislodge and remove the gunk.
   

Admittedly this method is effective for solid blockages such as hair and wasted food. Aftercare, pour boiling water down the drain to dissolve other remnants of the blockage not removed by the hanger.

5. Soda

We know now that vinegar's acidity can react with the gunk inside the drain. Coke or any soda is the least known fix, but it is just as readily available as boiling water. Just open the fridge door, and if you fund a 2-litre bottle of soda, then you have what you need to go down a clogged drain.

Coke is a mild caustic soda, but it can effectively remove any buildup in your drain. Let it sit for a moment, and drain with hot water afterwards. There's a different use for these carbonated drinks besides sugary refreshments.

6. Clean the P-trap

Another manual solution if all the chemical fixes do not work - remove the primary source of the clog. The P-trap, the curved part of the kitchen skin pipe, is designed to clear catch the debris.

Fun fact, it is called a P-trap, but it is a u-shaped pipe you may find under the sink. If you choose to work on removing the P-trap to unclog your drain, be sure that you have a pail ready to catch any of the debris or water that may fall out during the process.

Once removed, empty the contents of the P-trap and replace it. And, of course, aftercare. Run some water into the sink or boil water through the pipes.

7. Caustic soda

We do not recommend using caustic soda because they are strong chemicals that not only damage your pipes but will eventually cause health issues with continuous usage. Caustic soda is a quick fix that you can find in retail stores, and they are much stronger than any of the above chemical fixtures we have recommended. 

An acidic cleaner poured down a clogged drain and left overnight does the trick. It would be enough to dissolve some of the blockages, such as hair, grease, and food.

Before using a particular caustic soda, make sure to check the instructions. Your pipes are made of different materials, and some of these chemical solutions can harm pipes made of certain materials. Also, remember to wear protective clothing.

If none of these fixes works, you'll know it's time to call for help from your plumber. Mains Plumbers is just a call away if you are from New Zealand, and we can immediately send your one of our experienced plumbers to help out.