Everyone inevitably experiences a blocked drain at some point in their life. This scenario is not only frustrating but can potentially cause severe damage to your home if not resolved quickly, especially in a city like Bristol where the weather can be unpredictable. But there is good news. With a little elbow grease and patience, even the most stubborn of blocked drains can often be cleared. Let me provide a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through this issue promptly.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The first step to tackling the blocked drain issue is identifying where the problem lies. Is it a slow draining sink, a toilet that won’t flush, a bath that won’t drain, or a blocked external drain? Pay careful attention to your fixtures and pipes to pinpoint the source of the problem.
Step 2: Gather Essential Tools
After identifying the trouble spot, arm yourself with the appropriate equipment that will be needed to clear the blockage. These tools often include a plunger, plumber’s snake, drain rods, a bucket and lots of gloves.
Step 3: Plug the Overflow
Before you commence plunging, it’s important to block off the overflow. This is to create a vacuum, which will aid in maximising the effects of the plunge. You can achieve this by using a wet cloth or duct tape.
Step 4: Start with the Plunger
Position your plunger over the drain and use steady plunges to loosen the clog. Plunging can fix minor clogs, caused by things like soap scum or hairballs. If after a couple of minutes it isn’t working, stop and move to the next step, using a plumber’s snake or drain rod.
Step 5: Use a Plumber’s Snake or Drain Rod
A plumber’s snake, also known as a drain snake or drain rod, is a flexible coil of wire that can reach deep into a drain to dislodge blockages. Push it down into the drain and move it around to break up the clog.
Step 6: Flush the Drain
Once you’ve worked the drain snake or rod around in the pipe, pull it out and rinse the drain with warm water to see if the clog has been removed.
Step 7: Resolving Persistent Clogs
If the drain is still blocked after applying the previous steps, the problem might need a professional touch. There might be tree roots, pipe damager or other significant issues causing the blockage.
Step 8: Call in the Professionals
Bristol boasts several professional drainage services and plumbers who will be able to resolve blocked drains bristol your problem if the DIY techniques are ineffective. They could use methods like high pressure jetting or CCTV drain surveys to identify and solve the issue.
Preventive Measures are Important
You can avoid the hassle and inconvenience of blocked drains by carrying out regular maintenance checks and addressing any small issues before they escalate into larger problems. Keeping an eye on what goes down your drain and avoiding disposing of grease or oil can prevent blockages. Using drain guards to catch hair and other debris can also be a helpful preventive measure.
In conclusion, clearing blocked drains may seem like a daunting task, but with these steps, most small blockages can be resolved without the need to hire a professional. When in doubt, however, don’t hesitate to call in the experts, as they are trained to recognise and resolve even the most stubborn blockages.
Whether you have a slow draining sink, a toilet that won’t flush or a blocked exterior drain, the step-by-step guide provided above can greatly aid you in clearing those pesky block drains in Bristol, ensuring your home functions at its best.