Has this ever happened to you? You are taking a nice, hot shower when you realize that it’s beginning to feel a bit like a bath! Something is definitely a bit off, so you look down to find you are ankle-deep in hot water! There’s only one thing that can cause this impromptu foot soak and that is a blocked drain. You had better end that nice hot shower early, or risk that foot bath spilling out into a floor wash!
In this unfortunate event, the first thing to do is make sure that you have cleared all the debris from the drain grate. If that doesn’t do the trick, your problem runs deeper, and you are faced with two choices- call for help from the pros like the top-notch plumbing services in the Southern Highlands who will come out and clear up the problem in nothing flat without any mess or fuss, or you can attempt to DIY fix the problem yourself. If you choose the latter, there is bound to be some mess and fuss involved, but if you accept that risk then here are some methods to help you clear up your drain problem, be it in the shower or the sinks!
Vinegar and Baking Soda Homemade Drain Cleaner – You probably already have the ingredients of this simple solution in your home just waiting to go! Vinegar and baking soda form a powerful cleansing duo that can loosen up even the most stubborn clogs. Start by giving the drain a flush with boiling hot water, being very careful not to scald yourself when you pour it in! Once that has drained away follow it with a metric cup (250 millilitres) of pure white vinegar. Don’t use fancy culinary vinegar varieties like apple cider or balsamic, the flavour will be completely wasted on your drain! Next, pour in half a cup of baking soda and cover the drain for around fifteen minutes as it works to fizz away the grease and goo. Follow this with another dose of boiling hot water and voila! This drain is clean!
Salt and Lemon Homemade Drain Cleaner – Another method to try is to pour boiling water with a half cup of salt down the drain, followed by a cup mixture of equal parts pure lemon juice and baking soda. Don’t use lemonade, the sugar isn’t going to help a bit! Once the foam and bubbling stops your drain should be clear and you will be left with a pleasant lemony fragrance!
If neither of these do the trick then you really should summon the professional plumbers to come to your rescue before the trouble goes from ankle deep to knee deep, or worse!
It’s important to note that simple DIY plumbing is allowed in Australia, but there are government restrictions on advanced work, check here to learn more.
The best method to ensure clear drains is prevention! Make sure to use a drain grate to keep unwanted materials out!