Sewer opening and blockages
Opening a drain is probably not anyone's favourite thing to do. A blocked drain can cause odours, but also water flooding into spaces where there shouldn't be water. This can lead to water damage, which in the worst case can cost tens of thousands of euros. Professionals will deal with the most difficult situations, but you can also help yourself if your drains are blocked. In this article, we explain how you can prevent drains from clogging and how to unblock them at home.
Prevent sewer blockages
All the drains in your home will stay open, as long as you remember to treat and maintain them properly. The point is that you should never put things in your sinks or floor drains that don't belong there. These include coffee grounds and frying fat. A drain strainer in the kitchen sink prevents food residues from going down the drain.
Another important thing is to wash your drains regularly. Flush all drains in your home regularly, either with boiling water or hot water from the tap for a few minutes. Hot water softens the fat in the drain and pipe, preventing blockages. In the bathroom, it is important to remember to wash the floor drain regularly.
Regular cleaning of the stench trap can also prevent a larger blockage from occurring. An odour trap is a component or device located under the sink to prevent sewage odours from entering the indoor air. If the drain is not functioning properly, it is a good idea to open the odour trap. Before removing the trap, remember to place a bucket, bucket or bucket of water underneath it. Once removed, the diffuser should be thoroughly cleaned with detergent. Care should be taken when reattaching the diffuser to ensure a tight fit.
Opening the drain yourself
Usually, an attempt is made to open the drain at home using a pipe opener from the shop. However, these openers contain strong chemicals and should be used with caution. You can try opening a drain with baking soda and vinegar from your kitchen. These two familiar substances can also be used to clean other parts of the home.
In the case of a sink, you should start by running the hottest possible water into the sink for a few minutes. As mentioned above, hot water softens the grease that has entered the plumbing and thus helps the cleaning project. Then pour about a tablespoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of spirits vinegar down the drain. When these two substances react, a strong bubbling and hissing sound is produced. In about 10 minutes, the substances will take effect. Then pour warm water back into the drain and continue to use the drain as normal.
If the object to be opened is a bathroom floor drain, any visible blockages should first be removed manually. Typically, a drain blockage is caused by hair stuck in the drain, which is relatively easy to remove yourself. First remove the floor drain grate and then remove the blockage manually. It's a good idea to protect your hands, for example with rubber gloves, as the blockage in the drain is typically quite unpleasant to the touch.
When do you need a professional?
If the drain cannot be opened at home, or if the blockage is known to be exceptionally severe, professional help should be sought. In severe blockages, a suction truck may be needed. When an emergency strikes and you can't open a blockage on your own, contact 24 Center customer service on 0100 2470. We will solve your building services problems no matter where or when.
