Drain Unblocking with a Hose A great way to clear a blockage without using chemicals is to use a hose or pressure jet to force the obstruction through the pipe. Search for a full chamber on a side and an empty chamber on the other side and when you find it that is the location of your blockage. Buying some toilet unblocking liquids. Kitchen drains are the most common drains in any homes to get blocked. Why are my drains backing up? Unblocking an Outside Drain U-Bend. The job of clearing clogs in the larger drain lines found under … But how do you deal with the issue if a drain outside your property becomes blocked? Dilute cups of caustic soda in a large bucket of cold water. After the vigorous reaction, it will dissolve the debris leaving only particles behind. Blocked drains can cause serious problems for homeowners, potentially leading to foul smells, flooding, structural damage and a build-up of nasty bacteria in the areas surrounding the blockage. Lastly always use a professional if you are unsure on how to unblock a drain and need a professional drainage company then feel free to contact us today for more advice: Our specialists can diagnose your drainage problems using state of the art drainage camera equipment, call us today for; CCTV Drain Surveys London | CCTV Drain Surveys Essex | CCTV Drain Surveys Kent | CCTV Drain Surveys Surrey, Blocked Drains London | Blocked Drains Kent | Blocked Drains Surrey | Blocked Drains Essex, Your email address will not be published. Most people prefer to outsource the unblocking of these drains because of the debris they usually find in them. The outdoor drain pipe performs an essential function in transporting sewage and wastewater from your home to the sewer line. Nevertheless, try not to turn it anticlockwise because the plunger attachment may be unscrewed. Boiling Water. Once in a while, pour hot water, drain cleaners or even some detergent down the drain. How to unblock a toilet – Solution 3: Making your own drain cleaner With a few ingredients from the kitchen, you can totally make a drain cleaner to unclog the toilet. Put the kettle on (or use the stove or microwave if … Do not use a metal spoon as the caustic soda will react with it. But you should know that there are several DIY methods you can use to clear a blocked drain services. What To Do If Washing Machine Smells Like Sewage? Get a free quote from a professional expert by entering your details below: Your email address will not be published. Use thick waterproof gloves that come up to your elbow. If you want to tackle the blockage yourself, you can use a drain rod or plumber’s auger – also known as a plumber’s snake. If a drain is within the boundary of your property, it is your responsibility – rather than that of your local water company – to ensure it is well maintained and repaired. When using a sewer rod, direct the rod through the pipe until you reach the obstruction. Nevertheless, you may still choose to unblock the kitchen drain yourself if the smell or dirt wouldn’t bother you. Always keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. Why is it Ruining Our Drains? They can typically be found in three locations in the drainage system: Rainwater pipes, also known as ‘downspouts’, are part of the roof drainage system that carries rainwater from a rain gutter on a property. The foul sewage is then taken to a wastewater treatment facility via foul water sewers, which are kept separate to surface water sewers. Drain snakes can be used to unclog a toilet following the same procedure used in unclogging a drain. If the cause of the blockage is debris and leaves, simply put some protective gloves on and remove the debris manually. Before you close the taps, put the drain cover back and pour a small amount of bleach into the drain. But sometimes, you’ve got a … Rain gutters are the half-pipes found beneath a property’s roofing, designed to prevent water seeping into the property by channelling the rainwater away from the exterior walls and into downpipes. If there is a u-bend in your outside drain and clearing any blockages around the top of the drain and its gully has not unblocked it, you may wish to use chemical products or a drain rod to clear it. To properly rectify the problem, you need to unblock the drain outside your home – not just the pipes connecting to it. You will surely get your hands dirty and smell terrible things, but if it saves a couple of pounds in the process, then you should not turn your nose up at it (pun intended). Surface water drains are the element of the drainage system that collects surface water, i.e. Next, pour the solution into the blocked outside drain. Gloves will protect your hands from anything in the water and keep your hands dry as you break the clog apart. Sulfuric Acid is a chemical that can unclog blockages in drain pipes. Required fields are marked *. Push the rod forward and pull it back to break up the clog. [1] X Research source Repeated thrusting of the rods will loosen the blockage and cause it to dislodge. These gutters are connected to vertical rainwater pipes, which run down the length of a property to ground level, where the water is piped into a surface water drain. Or does a pungent smell come from your drains? How To Unblock A Toilet Without Using A Plunger, Brown Water From Tap – Rusty Water in Taps – 10 Causes, Rain Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance Tips, Tips to Prevent Frequent Drain and Sewer Blockage Issues, Top 5 Plumbing Emergencies that requires professional plumber | Infographics, 6 Tips to Prevent Pipes from Freezing | Infographics, How to Waterproof Basement or Cellar Using Tanking, All about the London Thames Tideway Tunnel Project, The Importance of Regular Drain Cleaning | Infographic. Then flush the line to clear out any remaining debris. The Main Offenders to avoid at all costs are: If your drainage problem persists and your drain remains blocked after following these steps, contact the 24 hour Lanes team today for a free consultation on 0800 526 488 or use our online enquiry form. The first thing to do when solving the problem of a blocked drain outside is to carry out a visual inspection of the area you think is blocked and try to understand what is causing the problem. In those cases, you could use a rope to open the drain. When your washing machine drains, the toilet overflows or water backs up in the tub or shower. So you’ve worked your butt off with a drain auger or a toilet auger to conquer your clog, but you’ve STILL got issues with how your pipes are draining. 4 Ways to Prevent Blocked Drains | Infographic, 8 Ways to Prevent Your Toilet from Getting Blocked, French Drain: What It Is, How It Works & How to Drain Water & Prevent Damp, Rising Damp Treatment: Causes & Signs + Rising Damp Solutions, Homemade Sink Unblocker UK – Green Ways to Naturally Unblock Drains, Collapsed Drain Repair: 7 Signs You May Have a Collapsed Drain, Cracked Pipes or Holes: Causes, Common Signs & How to Fix Them, Smelly Drains: How to Get Rid of Smelly Drains in Bathroom, What is No Dig Technology: Resurrecting your Drainage System with Drain Relining, Sewer Rats: How to Get Rid of Rats in Drains, Sink Unblocker: 5 Easy & Natural Ways to Unblock a Kitchen Sink, 10 Tips for Saving Your Home From Flood Damage, 5 Plumbing Problems in Old Houses to Watch Out For When Renovating, How To Find A Plumber You Can Trust & Won’t Rip You Off, Low Water Pressure in House: 5 Possible Reasons & How to Fix Them, Noisy Water Pipes: Why Do My Pipes Get Noisy & How to Fix Them, Top 8 Creative Plumbing Designs from Pinterest & Instagram, 5 Common Summer Plumbing Problems and its Fixes, History of Drainage Systems: Historical Development of Sewers in London. In addition, a combined drainage system can potentially increase the risk of clean, surface water sewers becoming polluted with foul water. Some covers have a handle for you to grab when removing them quickly. When pushing the drain rod, rotate it clockwise because this helps to dislodge the blockage properly. Get in touch with our specialists if you are fighting a losing battle against your blockage, BDS Drainage operate all throughout the South East of the UK; Caustic soda is one of the best chemical drain unblockers to use when unblocking a drain. Well, this may be due to a blockage of your drain. What is a Rainwater Gully? If lifting manhole covers, it’s important to exercise extreme caution, as they can be very heavy. Dishwashing liquid isn’t just for dishes. See how to clear the blockage yourself and save pounds on expensive drain clearing firms. You could use a screwdriver or other strong metal tool to open it forcefully. If you cannot identify the cause or location of the blockage, or if you you can but cannot unblock it yourself, you should get the experts involved. Turn the toilet's shut-off valve -- found under or behind the toilet -- counterclockwise until it stops. We also suggest using the following signs of spotting a blocked drain: There are a number of solutions that can be employed if you want to try to unblock an outside drain yourself. There are a number of solutions that can be employed if you want to try to unblock an outside drain yourself. To see how to lift the drain cover take this link. Be cautious, and do not use your hand to stir the soda-water mixture. (We highly recommend that you call us to get the best drain unclogging service that you can get). However, if the drain has been closed for an extended period, then it will be difficult to remove the cover. 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