Photo by Greg Jewett on Unsplash
Blocked outside drains can be a real nuisance to deal with. Not only do they create a mess that can flow back up your pipes and block inside pipes, but it’s also unhygienic. With that in mind, it’s important to point out that outside drains deserve the same amount of attention as you would give your indoor plumbing.
For many homeowners, the simplest way to solve a blocked drain crisis is to call the plumber Melbourne residents use to keep plumbing issues at bay. However, there are a few simple tips that you can try at home to prevent a small problem from becoming a much larger problem.
Why Do Outside Drains Get Blocked?
More often than not, the outside drain is an “out of sight, out of mind” situation. However, when it overflows, the problem is no longer as out of sight as you’d like. Before we jump into the simple ways to unclog a minor blockage, it’s essential to take a look at the top reasons why outdoor drains get blocked.
The top causes of blocked outdoor drains include the following:
- Outside factors such as broken tree branches, leaves, and soil
- Items flushed down the toilet such as too much toilet paper, wet wipes, or sanitary products
- Hair and soap from the shower and bath pipes
- Fat, grease, and oil being washed down kitchen pipes
Simple DIY Methods Can Help
In most cases, an outside drain can be unclogged if you take proactive action and don’t wait for a small problem to become a huge catastrophe. Our experts have highlighted a few simple ways to get minor blocks sorted out.
- First Things First – Get Gloves
It may look like the problem is only a bunch of leaves that can be easily scooped out. However, never assume that what you’re seeing is the only real problem to deal with. Any attempts to unblock an outdoor drain should start with getting a pair of rubber gloves. Drain water, no matter how clear, contains harmful bacteria that can lead to disease.
- Boiling Water
One of the simplest ways to clear a very minor clog is with boiling water. Simply boil a kettle of water and slowly pour it down the drain. This will break up clogs caused by hair and excessive soap suds that have latched onto other things in the drain.
If the clog is quite severe, you may need to repeat the process several times. It’s important to pour slowly so that the water has time to work through the gunk that may be causing the clog. You can also pour the boiling water into a bucket if you’d rather not expose your kettle to any potential bacteria.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar
Another simple way to break down outdoor drain clogs is by using baking soda and vinegar. This combination works well to break down blockages and eliminate bacteria at the same time.
Create a solution of equal parts of vinegar and baking soda and mix well. Slowly pour the mixture down the drain and wait for it to fizz. This is a sign that the blockage is breaking down.
- Caustic Soda
If your drain is severely clogged and a few repeats of the vinegar solution aren’t working, you may need something a little stronger. Caustic soda is an effective cleaning agent for drains but can cause severe burns, so be careful not to get any on your skin.
Here’s how to use it:
- Add three cups of caustic soda to a bucket of cold water.
- Stir slowly to form a fizzy mixture.
- Slowly pour down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Wash down with hot water.
- Use a DIY Gadget
Plumbing tools can be expensive, and chances are you don’t know which one will work the best without damaging your plumbing pipes and fixtures. An old DIY trick is to a wire coat hanger.
Here’s what you need to do to turn your wire hanger into a drain tool:
- Straighten the wire hanger.
- Bend one end to form a small hook.
- Insert the hooked end into the drain and wiggle the wire to loosen or fish out any debris that may be causing the clog.
- If you’re able to pull anything out, be sure to rinse the drain with hot water to rinse out any smaller items. You can also run a vinegar and baking soda solution down the drain to rinse out bacteria.
Final Thoughts
The trick to avoiding major clogs in your outdoor drain is to regularly check the drains to make sure that no external debris such as leaves, are falling in there. It’s a good idea to rinse your indoor sinks, shower, and bath pipes with hot water or vinegar and baking soda solution.
This will go a long way to breaking down any grease, oil, or soap that may build up in your drainpipes. Regular maintenance is a lot less stressful than having to deal with a major blockage!
