A drain can become clogged with all sorts of materials. It can be difficult to fix a clogged drain without the help of an expert.
Trying to solve the problem on your own can lead to more damage than good. If you’re experiencing recurring drain problems, call a plumber for professional assistance. For help with a blocked drain in Canberra, a professional will know exactly what to do.
Mineral Buildup
Calcium buildup, or white gunk, can clog showers and other drains. It is especially common in areas with hard water. It can cause pipes to narrow over time and eventually result in a complete blockage. If you have this issue, try using a chemical product such as CLR that is safe for plumbing pipes. Alternatively, you can use a natural alternative: warm up some water and pour a cup of baking soda and one cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. This will create a reaction that will dissolve the buildup and allow water to flow freely again.
Kitchen sink drains are prone to clogs from grease, fats, detergent and soap buildup as well as food particles large and small. For this reason, it’s important to clean your kitchen sink drain regularly. Vinegar can also be used for this purpose as it has acidic properties that break down lime deposits and decalcify pipes.
Small Objects
Objects like toys, twigs and even kids’ hair can find their way into drains. These small objects can cause a lot of problems for plumbing systems, such as slow and sluggish drains or full-on blockages.
If a drain is completely blocked, it can be difficult to remove without professional help. But if a sink or tub is just slowly draining, there are several things you can try to fix it. For example, use a drain zip or a wire hanger to try to break up the clog. You can use a wire hanger by straightening it out as much as possible and then fishing the end of the hangar into the drain opening.
This should grab onto any objects stuck inside the drain, then you can pull it up. Another option is to use a snake or drain rod, which will push the blockage through the pipe and away from your sink. Alternatively, you can try flushing the pipes with hot boiling water to clear out the obstruction.
Tree Roots
Tree roots are opportunistic and will seek out any tiny cracks or broken areas in your sewer lines in search of water and nutrients. The roots can then grow rapidly inside the line, causing blockages and other serious damage to your pipes and yard.
Roots that have grown into a drain pipe can cause all the toilets and tubs in your house to stop draining properly, leading to constant backups. This is also an indication that your main sewer line is clogged. You may also notice gurgling and foul sewer odors inside your home.
To remove existing roots from your drain pipes, you can try flushing them with rock salt or a chemical root killer like copper sulfate. These chemicals can harm your pipes, however, so they’re not a permanent solution. The best way to kill and remove tree roots is to call a professional plumber. Angi connects you with experts who can clear the roots and repair your sewer line quickly and easily.
Soap Scum
Soap scum is more than just an eyesore in your shower, it can also clog your drain pipes. The fatty acids in soap can cause it to clump and stick together, reducing the space that water has to flow through. This is especially true if you have hard water.
Luckily, there are many ways to fix this problem without using harsh chemicals. One of the best is to pour salt down the drain followed by boiling water. This method is effective for soap scum as well as food fat and grease.
If this doesn’t work, you can try pouring down a little bit of ammonia, which is very effective at loosening up soap scum residue. Make sure to run the fan and open a window, though; ammonia has an unpleasant odor that can be overwhelming in large amounts. You should also avoid mixing vinegar and bleach, as they can create a toxic mix that is unhealthy for you and your plumbing system.
