Blocked drains are annoying, right? Theyre one of those household things that happen from time to time and youd really rather they didnt. They smell bad and if theyre left for too long can cause structural damage to your house, which is even less fun to sort out. At least blocked drains are easy to fix most of them can be taken care of by pouring boiling water down the drain as this helps to shift the blockage and dissolve any grime that may have been causing the problem.

If the boiling water doesnt work, give some thought to what might be causing the problem so you have a better idea of how to attack it directly. Common causes of blocked drains are leaves, leftover food and dishwasher soap. You could also find out if your neighbors are having similar problems as, if so, it might fall under the jurisdiction of the authorities if the blockage was caused by something theyre responsible for. If its just you having problems, then its up to you to sort it out.

Once youve established what your problem might be, you could try using a plunger and hook to dislodge the problem. This is a particularly good way of shifting blockages in bathroom drains or minor external blocks. Use the plunger to displace whatever the problem is, then use a metal hook to fish out anything that wont move by itself. Be careful not to damage any pipes while youre doing this. If you dont have a hook, try using the end of a clothes hanger.

Another great drain unblocking method is caustic soda, which comes in crystal form. For this, you just pour the crystals down the drain and wait for them to dissolve the blockage. Bear in mind, though, that caustic soda is corrosive so you should wear plastic gloves and goggles when using it as otherwise it can damage your clothes or skin. Its also known as soda crystals or sodium hydroxide and, as an alternative, you could use thick bleach or other specialized drain cleaner.

Surely the best method of unblocking a drain is not to let it get blocked at all make sure you clean your external drains of leaves regularly to lower the chances of them getting block and keep an eye on your interior drains so you can act quickly if you need to. If you do get a bad blockage, then its an idea to call in an expert, who will make sure you dont have structural damage by inserting a camera down the drain to check out the problem.

*Disclaimer* This information should be used as a guide only and should not be relied upon as the sole source of information on this issue. We cannot be held responsible for any loss, inconvenience, damage (whether special or consequential) or claims arising out of the use of this information.

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