Dealing with Clogged Up Pipes
At Rochdale Plumbing Services, we encounter blocked pipes and drains regularly. Here are our key suggestions to help you address issues at home before resorting to professional plumbing assistance.
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The best recommendation is to be cautious about what goes down the sink initially. The most common problems involve hair and soap scum causing blockages in bathroom sinks, showers, and baths, while fats and food can lead to issues in the kitchen sink. The symptoms are visible when water drains slowly or, in severe cases, not at all (indicating a complete blockage).
01
Partial Blockage
If you encounter a partial blockage in your sink, pipe, or drain, consider the following suggestions:
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Pour very hot/boiling water through the system to melt fats, utilizing the water's force to push the blockage out of the pipes.
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Manually attempt to clear surface-level obstructions, such as hair trapped in a sink filter or sand caught in a drain, using your fingers.
02
Unblock with Home Items
Use baking soda and vinegar or declogger from a store to break up any unwanted clogs. This causes a chemical reaction which acts to dissolve the blockage. Since we want the the reaction to take place at the blocked area, first pour in a cup of the baking soda then pour in a cup of the vinegar then leave for at least half an hour for the reaction to have effect. You can increase the measurements for a larger blocked area. Then wash away with boiling water and test if it has unblocked your pipe or drain. (Always use caution when using any chemicals- home made or shop bought – wear gloves and avoid contact with your skin and face, especially your eyes). Pouring in the hot water from an elevated height increases the force which can help to break up the blockage. Just be careful; if you are pouring water from too high then it will splash back and possibly burn you in the process. If you pour from too low then not enough force gets to the blocked area. If none of these tips work then it’s time to move onto the trusty plunger. A plumbers friend indeed.
03
Fix with Plunger
Use a plunger to push air and clear a blockage. The effectiveness depends on how bad and where the blockage is. If the plunger doesn't work, try a plumber's snake – a long, flexible rod made to bend in pipes. Push it in as far as you can, hoping it reaches and breaks through the blockage.
04
If All Else Fails...
If these steps don't work, it's time to reach out to the Drain Cleaning Experts in Rochdale at 01706-599-391.
