We’ve all seen the claims of internet ‘experts’ claiming they miraculously fixed a blocked drain themselves by using a plethora of quick fixes. While there are some DIY solutions out there, let’s debunk some common myths about blocked drains before you spend too much time and money fighting them yourself.
By avoiding these techniques and knowing what to do instead, you can ensure you don’t damage your plumbing system and that you take the correct steps to resolve your plumbing problems for good.
Why Unblocking a Drain Yourself Can Be Ineffective
If you search ‘blocked drain’ on the internet, you’ll find all sorts of methods and techniques to fix the problem. Unfortunately, very few of them work and none of them help find the root cause of the problem. Even if you can clear the clog in your drainage system yourself, without finding why it happened in the first place, it’s likely to return, by which time the damage to your pipes may have worsened.
Many of us like to think we’re pretty handy around the home, but without the right tools, it’s often not possible to fix a blocked drain, for good, yourself. This is because blocked drains are usually caused by corrosion in pipes, cracks and leaks or tree roots.
Professional plumbers can use tools like hydro jets and drain inspection cameras to clear a blockage and check the health of your pipes so that you can rest assured the problem has been solved for good.
Common Blocked Drain Myths Debunked
Myth #1: Boiling Water Fixes Everything
The water from your hot tap is a maximum of 50 degrees and plumbing systems are designed to handle this sort of heat. But pouring freshly boiled water down your drain can do more harm than good.
If you have a porcelain sink, tipping boiling water on it may cause it to crack. And the pipes under your sink are likely made of PVC, which isn’t designed to withstand intense heat. These pipes are also held together with glue that will degrade when exposed to boiling water.
Boiling water is unlikely to unclog a drain unless it’s a very minor clog caused by a buildup of fats and grease, so it’s not worth risking further damage to your plumbing system.
Myth #2: DIY Chemical Solutions Are the Best Option
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is putting store-bought chemical drain cleaner down the drain to fix a blockage. While it’s claimed these products are the most effective method of clearing a blockage, the facts reveal a much different truth.
We don’t recommend using these chemical-based drain cleaners at all because the harsh chemicals they contain can cause your plumbing to erode, leading to cracked and leaking pipes. Tipping chemicals down the drain is also bad for the environment because they make their way into waterways where they harm aquatic life and disrupt ecosystems.
Avoid causing more plumbing issues by using an enzyme-based drain cleaner instead. These contain live bacteria that release enzymes to liquefy and digest grease, oils and soap scum. You could also try household remedies like baking soda and vinegar that are gentle on your plumbing system.
Myth #3: A Coat Hanger Will Clear Any Blockage
When you Google ‘Can I use a coat hanger to clear a blocked drain?’ you’ll find lots of pages that tell you it can be done. In reality, sticking a coat hanger down the drain to clear a blockage is just silly.
The most likely thing that will happen is the coat hanger will become stuck, or cause more damage to the pipe, leading to an embarrassing interaction with your plumber and an even bigger repair bill.
Myth #4: Frequent Use of the Plunger Prevents Clogs
One of the most common misconceptions about a blocked drain is that it can easily be fixed with a plunger. We’ve all seen movies where someone tries to unblock a toilet with a plunger, but the fact is, it’s lucky you stopped to read this article before you rushed off to buy one because you’d most likely be wasting your money.
Plungers may be able to tackle a simple clog in a toilet, but it will do nothing for a blockage deep within a plumbing system except make you red in the face. For persistent or recurring blockages, it’s best to contact a plumbing expert with the knowledge and tools to fix the problem effectively.
Myth #5: A Regular Store-Bought Snake Is Just as Good as a Professional Tool
A drain snake, also known as a plumbing auger, is a long, flexible rod with a metal coil. It’s used to reach into pipes and break up blockages. While they may be an effective method for the prevention of a blockage by keeping your drains clear, they are unlikely to help if the clog is deeper than the drain snake can reach. They also don’t help to find the causes of the problem, like broken pipes or tree roots.
Plumbers have specialised tools that help them locate the root cause of the blockage and ensure it won’t return or worsen.
Why Professional Help Is Often the Best Solution
At The Relining Company, we offer fast and affordable blocked drain advice and repairs that give you long-lasting results. We clean and clear your pipes and can repair them from the inside with minimal disruption to you or your home using our pipe relining technology. Pipe relining ensures you never have to worry about a blockage again!
Next time you find yourself with a blocked drain, forget trying to fix it yourself. Give The Relining Company a call for no-mess, no-fuss drain cleaning and maintenance services. Visit our website for more information or contact us on 0404 879 929.
Back to Top