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Unblocking Drains
We've all been there - you're enjoying your shower, only to find
yourself ankle-deep in soapy water that just won't go down the
plughole. Never fear! Here are some simple DIY tips to unblock that
drain.
How big is the problem?
If multiple drains in your house are blocked at once, then the
problem is somewhere deep within your plumbing system, so it's best
to call in a professional. If
only one plughole is clogged, read on.
Take the plunger
You can buy a plunger for a few dollars from any hardware store.
Simply push the rubber cup over the blocked drain and thrust the
handle down as hard as you can.
This should force the blockage down the drain and allow the water to
flow out. Repeat if necessary.
Unclogging hair
Most shower blockages are caused by hair. Luckily the same stuff
that removes hair from your legs or back will remove it from your
drain. Try pouring a liquid hair remover (such as Nair) down the plug
hole.
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Home-made drain cleaners
Pouring a mixture of baking soda and boiling water, or baking soda
and vinegar down your drain will clear most minor blockages.
Commercial drain cleaner
You can buy a number of drain cleaning chemicals from the hardware
store. These are usually effective, but are quite toxic. Never pour
more than one type of chemical down your drain at a time.
Plumber's snakes
Serious clogging needs serious tools. A plumber's snake is like a
highly bendable drill that is fed down your drainpipe to break up any
blockages.
This tool can seriously damage your plumbing if used the wrong way,
so steer clear unless you really know what you're doing.
Call in a pro
If you can't unblock the drain yourself, it might be time to call in a
professional. A qualified plumber can take apart your pipes or use
motorised tools to clear the blockage.
To compare quotes on professional plumbers, check out our plumbing directory here.
Click
here for quotes from service providers
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