Guidance For Clearing a Blocked Waste Pipe

Often a smelly and uncomfortable job, it is usually better to call out a professional plumber to deal with blockage in your waste pipes. In some situations, such as where raw sewage has backed up to a drainage inspection point and is spilling over, it is essential to deal with matters quickly so you should call an emergency plumber before the nearby land becomes contaminated.

Having said that, some blocked drains can be cleared without the need for a professional. Pay attention to the following tips if you choose to attempt to clear a blockage yourself. If you are unsuccessful, then you can always call in for professional assistance, after all.

• Protect Yourself

When dealing with waste pipes, the contents will often be unpleasant, and you may find that you come into contact with them no matter how hard you try not to. Rubber gloves are a basic essential to cover your hands, and you should also wear old clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. If there is a risk that you will breathe in noxious fumes, then a simple mouth mask is advisable. In addition, avoid splashes getting into your eyes by wearing goggles.

• Clear Drains Manually

Most wastage pipes run underground so you cannot easily see into them. However, they tend to become clogged at joins due to excessive amounts of solid material going down them. You can break this down and force it along the pipe by using push rods. These flexible tools screw into one another. When pushing them down a drain, rotate them so that the screw connections tighten rather than loosen; otherwise, a rod may become detached. Push in the direction of the water flow for best results.

• Use a Chemical Treatment

By pouring chemicals down your bath or sink's plughole it is possible to clear blockages that have been formed from things like fat and matted hair. There are many of these products on the market in Australia, but you can make do with normal household items, too. Start by tipping boiling water from the kettle down the drainage point. Then pour half a cup of baking soda down, leaving it for about five minutes to attack the blockage in the pipe. Next, tip in a fifty-fifty mixture of vinegar and hot water. About 300ml is enough. This may cause some unwanted fumes so ensure all of your windows are open. Allow it to work for about 15 minutes, and then pour another kettle full of boiling water down to clear the chemicals out.

Share