Three Quick Tips to Unblock Your Drain (2024)

We all know the warning signs. The sink takes a little longer to drain. You begin to notice water pooling around your feet in the shower. And the odours. The strange, unpleasant odours. They are all signs that you may soon need to unblock your drain pipe.

And then one day, boom – your drain is blocked completely. It’s something you need to deal with quickly. Our three first aid tips might help you with a simple clogging issue.

1. The bent wire hanger
Simple enough, but surprisingly effective. Take an ordinary wire coat hanger and straighten it out as best you can. Then, bend one end over to create a small hook. Push that past the drain cover and start fishing. You should be able to get all sorts of hair and nasty stuff out of the drain. Remember, you always want to be pulling gunk out, not pushing it further. When you’ve got as much out as you can, run the hot water, and it should clear things up nicely.

2. Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar
Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain. The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe. Let it sit for one hour or even overnight if you can. Then flush the drain with hot water. Alternatively, get as much of the dry bicarbonate of soda as you can down the drain first, then pour on the vinegar.

3. Boiling water
Tips don’t get any easier than this. Put the kettle on and boil up as much water as it will hold. Now pour it slowly down the drain in two to three stages, allowing the hot water to work for a several seconds in between each pour. This is usually the easiest and quickest way to unclog a drain and it sometimes helps to add some washing up liquid to help dissolve any grease. If there’s any water left, congratulate yourself with a cup of tea.

If none of these do the job, then call one of our Drain Doctor drain unblocking experts. It makes sense to call in qualified professional help such as Drain Doctor Plumbing. Call us on 0800 70 71 72

FAQs

Three Quick Tips to Unblock Your Drain? ›

Drano's Max Gel Liquid Clog Remover works quickly too, without any elbow grease on your part. Simply pour the formula down a backed-up sink or drain and let it go to work. For minor clogs and slow-flowing drains, the gel works in 15 to 30 minutes. It can even help clear clogs in standing water.

What is the best thing to unblock drains liquid? ›

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How do you clear a clogged drain fast? ›

Loosen clogs by running hot water down the drain for two to three minutes. Pour 1/2 a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let the cleaning solution sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

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What is the best homemade drain cleaner? ›

Baking soda and vinegar is a tried-and-tested mixture for unclogging drains. Since you probably have these ingredients lying around, this is also one of the most cost-effective drain cleaners you can make at home. Pour one cup of baking soda down the affected drain, immediately followed by one cup of white vinegar.

Why should you never use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a drain? ›

Consistent use of acidic solutions, like vinegar, can accelerate the corrosion of these metal pipes, leading to weakened integrity and potential breaks or leaks over time. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar can also produce salt, which may further contribute to the corrosion process.

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What is the thing that plumbers use to unclog drains? ›

Manual Drain Snakes

Manual augers are especially useful in clearing simple drain or toilet clogs, dislodging debris, and passing through the sewer system. In most clogged drains, the manual plumbing snake is sufficient to clear minor blockages relatively close to the drain opening.

What clears drains fast? ›

Baking soda and vinegar – Instead of using a store-bought drain cleaner product with harsh chemicals, use this natural and safer recipe. First, pour 1⁄2 cup of baking soda down the clogged drain. Next, add 1⁄2 cup of vinegar and plug the drain with a rag.

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What do plumbers use to unblock drains? ›

Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic Acid) Properties and Uses: Hydrochloric acid, also known as muriatic acid, is a highly corrosive acid used extensively by plumbers to clear severe clogs. It reacts rapidly with organic materials in drains, breaking them down into simpler compounds that can be easily flushed away.

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How do you unblock a drain fast? ›

Boiling Water

To do this, clear any excess water from the sink. Then boil a large pot or kettle of water and pour it slowly into the drain. Let the hot water sit in the sink or tub for a few minutes before running any cold water through. Repeat this several times.

How do you unclog the worst drain? ›

First, if you have metal pipes, pour boiling water down the drain. Then remove hair from the drain. If that doesn't work, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If the clog persists, use a plunger, plumber's snake or chemical drain opener.