Drain cleaning is an essential life skill for every homeowner in Australia. This is because plumbing is one of the most neglected features in a household. Most people tend to ignore that oil and grease—among other things—cause nasty blockages in kitchen sink drains and other fixtures. That is until the inevitable happens: the drain gets clogged, and the water wouldn’t just go down like it used to.

Whenever incidents like these occur, you’ll be wise to remember the different tips essential for drain cleaning. These suggestions may even help in keeping you from spending money more than you need to. But if all else fails and you do not want to get your hands dirty, you can always contact a licensed drain technician from the local Sydney best plumbers.

How To Clean Your Drain (By Yourself)

The drain cleaning tips you need to know are as follows:

Take the Plunger

Most often than not, the trusty cup plunger is the homeowner’s first option when it comes to unclogging drains. This tool has proved its reliability and efficiency in removing blockages in sinks and bathtubs. Knowing how to use the plunger can save you time and energy in fixing the drainage.

Grab the Snake

Of all the snakes that could have existed in the world, the plumber’s snake may be the funniest of it all. But mind you, it’s not a snake but it does exist. All jokes aside, you will want to have this snake by your side when you need to clean the drainpipe. For certain, everyone will understand that funny look on your face when you start holding this tool. You’ll be glad you did especially after you’ve resolved your drain problems.

If you do not have a snake handy, you can take a coat hanger and use it as a makeshift snake. Simply bend one end and make a hook out of it. Then you send the hooked end down the drain to remove the gunk and other unwanted stuff.

Use Boiled Water

In case of a blocked drain, pouring hot water into a blocked drain can do the trick. Simply bring a pot full of water to boil, and then pour it gradually into the drain. The intense heat may help loosen up some of the gunk that is causing the blockage in your drainpipe. This method adds truth to the adage that water is indeed a natural solvent.

Use Homemade Drain Cleaners

Apart from using common plumbing tools, you can also use different commonplace items like baking soda. Combine the baking soda with vinegar to create your own fizzling solution. All you need is 1/3 cup of both commonplace products and pour it into the drain.

If you don’t have baking soda, salt and borax may do the trick. Simply fill in a quarter cup of each household item and mix it with a half cup of vinegar. You can use a plunger to remove the blockage for good measure.

In case you’re wondering, yes, it’s like performing a science experiment down your drain pipe. Additionally, since chemical-based drain cleaners cause irreversible damage to the environment, household products are seen as better, eco-friendly alternatives.

Calling in the Pros

It wouldn’t hurt performing drain cleaning procedures on your own. However, if for some reason you need expert assistance, there is nothing wrong with throwing the towel and calling in the professionals.

This option may even prove valuable, since these plumbers could give proper insight keeping your fixtures and drains functional. They may even show you how to perform simple drain cleaning and maintenance procedures.

Make sure that you do your research and practise discretion when looking for a drain cleaning company. A solid reputation and technical know-how are two of the most important features present in a company that performs drain cleaning.