A blocked drain can be a real pain to have to deal with – it leads to awful smells and prevents you going about your daily routine of washing and cleaning. There are various ways of clearing a drain that is blocked, which we’ll look at here.
Do-it-yourself
You can try to unblock a drain yourself in the first instance, but if the blockage is bad, it is likely you’ll have to call a professional out. Traditional cleaning methods using household staples may help to unblock a slow-running sink. Pour baking soda in and around the plughole and follow it with plenty of salt. Then add white vinegar and wait for it to fizz before flushing away with hot water.
Drain rods
Another manual method which can clear toilets, sinks and showers is to use a drain rod, which involves putting a series of flexible rods that have an end attachment into the drain to break up the obstruction. These are good for minor clogs which are close to the surface.
CCTV drain survey
When a blockage can’t be cleared and you can’t find the root of the problem, a CCTV drain survey is the best way of finding the obstruction. This involves using a camera which is put down into the drain to record video footage showing the inside of the pipes. It can show any collapses, cracks or tree roots which have invaded the pipes. If you need a CCTV drain survey Birmingham, expert companies such as wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/birmingham can help and advise on the best course of action.
High-pressure jets
Blasting highly pressurised water into an external drain can help remove stubborn obstructions. It also helps to clean any debris from the pipe walls, which can reduce the chance of future blockages.
Root cutting
Tree roots are often the cause of a drain blockage and using mechanical root cutting is a good way of removing them, particularly at older properties and where the pipes are cast iron or clay. This is often combined with an initial CCTV drain survey.