Of course, these are warning signs that indicate your drain is already blocked, but there are many methods you can utilise to prevent things from getting to this stage. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can save yourself the hassle of dealing with a blocked drain.<\/p>\n
![\"cleaning](\"https:\/\/www.ra-heating-plumbing.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cleaning-drain-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Hot water<\/h3>\n
Pouring boiling hot water down your drain is possibly the easiest and most cost-effective solution to preventing a blockage. If you think any fat or oil has made its way into your kitchen sink, you need to act fast before it solidifies and blocks your drain. Pouring hot water down the sink will melt the unwanted fat and oil so it can exit your drain without causing any issues. However, it should be noted that if you have PVC pipes, the hot water could cause their joints to loosen. Moreover, if you have a porcelain sink bowl, you should never pour boiling water directly onto it as it could cause it to crack. The best way to stop this from happening is to pour the water directly down the drain.<\/p>\n
Be cautious of what you flush<\/h3>\n
Flushing the wrong items down your toilet could be disastrous and not only lead to blocked drains but flooding of your home. To avoid this, we have devised a list of the most common objects that people flush down the toilet which causes major damage:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Feminine products<\/li>\n
- Baby wipes\/wet wipes<\/li>\n
- Q-tips\/Cotton balls<\/li>\n
- Nappies<\/li>\n
- Paper towels<\/li>\n
- Cigarette butts<\/li>\n
- Dental floss<\/li>\n
- Gum<\/li>\n
- Medication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Put simply, the only things you should flush down your toilet is human waste and water.<\/p>\n
Invest in a sink strainer<\/h3>\n
If you don\u2019t already know, a\u00a0sink strainer\u00a0is a type of perforated metal sieve that filters out solid debris in your water system. In your household, you can use a sink strainer as a drain cover for your kitchen sink, shower or bath.<\/p>\n
Clean and maintain regularly<\/h3>\n
Whether you decide to use DIY methods or cleaning products bought from the shop, there are so many ways which you can effectively clean your drains to prevent blockages. As natural products are safer than toxic chemical-based cleaners, here are some DIY drain cleaning solutions you can use:<\/p>\n
Baking soda and vinegar<\/h4>\n
Baking soda and vinegar are a classic combination when it comes to household cleaning, and the dynamic duo will effortlessly keep your drain clear and fresh. All you need to do is combine 70g baking soda with 30g table salt and pour it down the troublesome drain. Then, take 250ml of heated vinegar and pour this down the drain too \u2013 it should foam and bubble. At this point, it is worthwhile to cover the drain with a plug or duct tape to prevent the mixture from escaping. After letting it sit for 15 minutes, you should then run the hot tap or pour boiling hot water down the drain for approximately 30-60 seconds. If your drain has a stubborn clog, repeat the process until you feel it has been removed.<\/p>\n
If you perform this method once a month on a regular basis, your drain is less likely to become blocked in the future and will remain in pristine working condition.<\/p>\n
![\"cleaning](\"https:\/\/www.ra-heating-plumbing.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/cleaning-sink-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCream of tartar<\/h4>\n
Safe to use in the bathroom or kitchen, this homemade drain cleaner will have your sink, bath or shower flowing freely in no time at all. All you will need is: a paper towel. 55g bicarbonate of soda, 75g salt, 40g\u00a0cream of tartar\u00a0and 500ml boiling water.<\/p>\n
Firstly, remove the drain trap and clean as much as you can \u2013 using a kitchen roll to wipe around the drain and remove any bits of food or collections of hair. Next, mix together the bicarbonate soda, salt, and cream of tartar in a small container. Once well shakes, sprinkle the mixture down the clogged drain. You should then pour the boiling water down the drain and let the solution work its magic for around an hour. When an hour has passed, simply rinse with cool water. This mixture is useful as the salt and bicarbonate of soda work together to help scour pipes and break up any blockage, while the cream of tartar naturally cleans metals.<\/p>\n
The salt and bicarbonate of soda work together to help scour pipes and break up buildup, while the cream of tartar naturally cleans metals.<\/p>\n
Collect your food waste<\/h3>\n
As previously stated, a common cause for blocked kitchen sinks is the buildup of food waste. Foot waste in your drainage system can be very problematic, so to avoid this, you should make a conscious effort to collect as much food waste as possible. Not only will this prevent your drains from clogging up, but it is exceptionally good for the environment. You could opt to create your own\u00a0compost\u00a0from your food waste, or recycle it by taking it to your\u00a0local food waste collection\u00a0point.<\/p>\n
Call a professional<\/h3>\n
Sometimes, our knowledge and creative DIY methods just aren\u2019t enough to solve the problem. Luckily, there are a plethora of experts on hand to help restore your blocked drain to its original, working condition. Plumbing is very complicated, and if you are not well informed of how to fix a plumbing issue, it is best to leave it to the professionals. As well as having a dedicated and fully qualified team of plumbers that can effectively repair your blocked drain, here at Vanmech Heating and Plumbing we offer many services that will keep your homes plumbing working to the best of its ability. If you think you could use our help, you should consider using our Vanmech Plumbing and Heating<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"plumber](\"https:\/\/www.ra-heating-plumbing.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/plumber-with-plunger-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJust like new!<\/h3>\n
We understand what a nuisance a blocked drain can be and the disruption it can cause to your daily life. By using the ideas and methods above, we hope you will not have to suffer the wrath of a clogged up drain, but instead use your kitchen sink, bath and shower at any time with ease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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