There are several reasons why you might have to call a drainage cleaning service. Of course, it is because your drains are blocked, but there are several common causes of blocked drains. For example, grease buildup, damaged pipes, or inappropriate items being flushed down the toilet.

The worst-case scenario is that the blockage is so bad that you have to call out a professional drain cleaner. But before you do that, here are several methods you can try yourself which might fix the problem.

Hot water

This method seems so simple that you might have overlooked it, but you can clear some minor blockages with hot water. Try running hot water through your drains for fifteen or twenty minutes. If it all goes to plan, the force and heat of the water will remove the minor buildups, and everything should return to normal.

Plunger

You probably already have a plunger, so this is another method you can try without any excess cost. Place the plunger over the opening and push up and down continuously for a couple of minutes. But make sure you cover any overflow vents first. Otherwise, your efforts will be futile as the air will escape.

Vinegar and baking soda

You probably know that when you mix vinegar and baking soda, they react to create a big load of foam. This happens because the chemical reaction causes carbon dioxide to be released. You take advantage of this to clear drain blockages. Put a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar into the drain, wait a few minutes, and then pour in some hot water.

Drain snake

Also called a cleaning coil, these tools are useful for clearing blockages in difficult places. One of these will cost you about £10-15, which is significantly less than you would pay for a professional drain cleaning service. However, be aware that it can be dirty work, so wear some gloves and old clothes. Then follow these steps:

1. If unblocking a sink, place a bucket beneath the trap.
2. If possible, remove the trap, as this will enable you to get nearer to the blockage.
3. If the blockage is within the trap, you won’t need the coil. Clear out the trap, reattach it, and then run some water to check for leaks. If there is no blockage in the trap, it is further along the pipes.
4. If you removed the trap, push the coil into the pipe. If you didn’t remove the trap, push the coil into the plug hole.
5. Push the coil into the drain slowly without forcing it. You don’t want to dislodge any pipework.
6. Eventually, you won’t be able to push the coil any further, so then you will need to turn the handle to get the auger to where the blockage is.
7. Upon reaching the blockage, rotate the handle in both directions while simultaneously slightly pushing and pulling.
8. When you think the auger has got hold of some of the blockage, you can pull the coil out, clean the debris from it, and repeat until the pipe feels clear.
9. If you removed the trap, replace it, ensure everything is connected correctly, run some water, and make sure there are no leaks.

However, if you have tried these methods and cannot clear your drains, it is time to call a professional drainage cleaning service. For a commercial drainage cleaning service that you can count on, Clearground will not let you down.