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These are both common signs that you have a problem with your drainage system. Namely, there could be a clog that is causing a blockage. This is not something that will go away on its own. In fact, if you ignore the problem, it is likely to get worse. But a lot of homeowners in South West London are unsure of what they should do when they have a blockage. Should you attempt to fix it yourself with a drain clearing product or call in the professionals and choose a drain unblocking service? Let’s take a look at these options and find out.

Drain Clearing Products

When you have a clogged drain, you just want to get the problem solved as quickly as possible. We have all been there; we want to solve the issue ourselves so that you can get on with your day. You might try to find a drain clearing product in local stores and there is often plenty of options out there. Of course, they promise that they are going to clear your home’s drains and you can think that this is the answer to your prayers. What is even better is that their products are cheap and readily available.

However, you have to remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is often the case with drain clearing products that you can find in store. While they might be fine to use on small blockages, they are generally not recommended since they come with a lot of risks. Namely, they contain a lot of chemicals that can be corrosive. This can cause damage to your pipes. There are chemicals that create heat in an attempt to remove the clog and end up melting the pipes in your drainage system.

Let’s not ignore all of the warning signs you see on drain clearing products. There are often logos that capture your attention and warn you that the chemicals are harmful. Well, this is not something you want to ignore. Using these products could mean serious burns and other injuries. Even breathing in the fumes could be dangerous if you are not in a well-unventilated area. While drain clearing products can seem convenient and affordable, they are likely items you do not want to have in a family home.

Drain Unblocking Services

Your next option is to choose drain unblocking services. This is recommended for homeowners that are not sure what is causing the blockage and that do not have knowledge or equipment to clear the clog themselves. Instead, you can call a professional team that will diagnose the problem. They will then decide on the best solution depending on what is going on with your drainage system.

A lot of homeowners try to avoid huge bills when they have a drainage problem. But, there are a lot of cost-effective drain unblocking services out there. You just have to do your research. Remember that you are going to enjoy a professional service and the team has years of experience. No matter how serious or complicated the blockage is, they have the expertise and experience to find the right solution.

Let’s not forget that you can cause further problems with you try to clear a blockage yourself. You can end up damaging the pipes with drain cleaning products, as well as making the blockage worse than it was already. When you use an expert team, this is not going to be a problem you have to worry about. They know what they are doing and will come to your home with all of the right equipment. A lot of reputable companies even offer a guarantee on all work in case there are any issues. This means that you will not have to pay out any more money.

Companies are going to have emergency callout appointments too. This means that if you are in a hurry and you need the blockage cleared quickly, they can make this happen. Often, this is a service that will respond within a few hours. You will not have to endure the bad odour, slow drainage or noisy system any longer than you have to. Thus, it is going to save you a lot of time and hassle if you were thinking about trying to solve the drainage problem by yourself.

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Slow or clogged drains, especially when one is taking a shower, truly tests one’s patience. The reasons behind the drain being clogged are plenty. With that being said, let us take a quick look at some ways to clean and unclog your shower or sink drains. But before you do that, pull on some rubber gloves and let the unclogging game begin.

1. Manual Unclogging

For a recent clog, the reason behind this is usually a wad of debris stuck in your drain that can be removed easily with your hands. In case, the debris is stuck a little further down the drain, a wire hanger or a hook being plunged into the drain will help do the trick. Eradicating odor, preventing leaks, and getting better drainage are some benefits of cleaning the drains.

2. Utilize a Drain Snake

In the case of a slightly bigger clog, a drain snake or a plumbers snake is the best alternative to use. It can be found at your nearest hardware store and comes quite handy when one needs to fix a clog. The drain snake comes in both a metallic as well as a disposable plastic version. After using the drain snake, ensure that it is cleaned thoroughly. 

3. Pour Boiling Water

If the drain snake does not work out, pouring a hot pot of water down the drain is the next way to deal with a clogged drain. The boiling water helps dissolve the buildup in the drain, which usually includes soap scum and other wastes. The process can be performed twice or thrice until the drain is unclogged.

4. Avail a Plunger

A common misconception about the plunger is that it is only used for the toilet. This is not at all true and can be used for unclogging drains. The best type of plunger is the cup-styled one. Around 6 pumps of the plunger are good to clear a clog. In case the clog still exists, go ahead with a few more pumps. 

5. Make use of a Natural Drain Cleaner

Quite a few individuals prefer to use natural cleaners to unclog as well as clean their sinks due to its multiple benefits. The most common natural remedy used is white vinegar and baking soda. A cup of baking soda is poured down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. The mixture of these two ingredients helps unclog the block. The products must be left to settle for at least an hour following which water must be used to rinse the drain. 

6. Use Drinking soda, Caustic soda, and Dish Detergents

Soda’s and detergents are other great remedies to unclog drains. Detergents are made of mild chemicals and are used to treat minor clogs. In case one is looking for a stronger alternative for a bigger clog, caustic soda is used. Drinking sodas such as Coca-Cola are effective and caustic in nature. They are milder than cleaners but a good 2 liters of drinking soda is known to clear out a clog. 

7. Clean Drain Trap

Quite a few times the clog is located in the drain trap itself. The drain trap, also known as the U-pipe, is usually situated under the sink or the plughole. The runoff from the pipe must be emptied into a bucket after loosening the nuts on either side of the pipe. After cleaning the pipe, reattach it.

8. Use Strong Chemicals

Strong chemical cleaners are easily available at the hardware store as well as in supermarkets. These are quite dangerous to human skin. Take precautions such as wearing gloves and not inhaling the chemicals while using them. Ensure that the chemicals are not mixed with each other and follow the instructions mentioned at the back of its packaging. If you have high-quality fixtures, such as faucets from Oltsw faucets, ensure that these strong chemicals do not fall on them. 

9. Make use of a wet/dry Vacuum

It is not very often that people use a vacuum to clean out a clog but it does do the trick, especially when the blockage level is high. To use this, a seal such as the head of a plunger over the drain must be done so as to avoid a huge mess from being created. Then start using the vacuum with the most powerful suction while turning on the liquid setting. This must be done for around 1 or 2 minutes before checking if it has unclogged the drain. Repeat the process if necessary. 

10. Call a plumber

If nothing works out, the final step is to call a plumber. The plumber is a professional who has dealt with all scenarios drain-related. He would know the issue with your drain and help fix it easily.

Conclusion 

It can be quite a nuisance to use the bathroom with a clogged drain. Both artificial chemicals and natural chemicals are good solutions to fix the problem. We hope the above-mentioned tips will aid you to clean and unclog your drains. If not, hope you have called your nearest plumber.