A blocked drain can be a real hassle. It can cause water to pool, create unpleasant smells, and even lead to flooding. When this happens, most homeowners want to fix the problem fast.
If you’re unsure whether it's your responsibility to unblock the drain, our guide to homeowner responsibility provides more details on who is responsible for fixing a blocked drain.
If it is your responsibility, many DIY methods exist, but they do not always work as expected.
DIY methods offer varying levels of success in unblocking drains, but they will often cause other problems and are not the most sustainable or effective long-term solution.
In this article, the drainage specialists at Lanes will provide guidance on the best ways to deal with a blocked drain. We’ll compare DIY methods to those used by professionals and answer the question: Does bleach unblock drains?
The short answer is no. Although bleach is a strong chemical, it doesn’t unblock drains in the way you might think.
Most blockages are caused by food waste, hair, grease, and oils, which shouldn’t go down the drain.
Our UK habits and attitudes in drainage use report show us what the public knows about what should and shouldn’t go down the drain.
While bleach can be corrosive, it doesn’t break down these materials. Instead, it can make the situation worse.
For example, bleach and other corrosive products can damage your pipes, leading to leaks and even allowing tree roots to enter your pipes, causing more blockages.
If you have a blockage, it can be tempting to reach for bleach, but it’s not the right solution.
While bleach can clear odours, it won’t solve the root cause of bad smells. The problem could remain, and using bleach might just cover it up temporarily
This holds true for other corrosive substances, like bicarbonate of soda.
The corrosive nature of these products can burn through blockages and cause problems within your drainage system.
Products strong enough to burn through blockages can seriously damage the pipes and connections within your drainage system, corroding them so problems can emerge.
All of these problems can be expensive, time-consuming and inconvenient.
Instead, having a professional address the issue early is better to prevent more significant problems.
Commercial drain unblockers may seem effective, but they can also damage pipes. Although they may burn through a blockage, they often fail to completely remove it.
This can leave part of the blockage in place, leading to further issues in the future.
The best approach is to call a drainage professional when you notice a problem.
Early intervention helps avoid more significant issues later. Professionals have the right tools and knowledge to safely unblock your drains without damaging your system.
A common issue with DIY methods is that blockages may need to be fully cleared.
Instead, some of the blockage materials will stay together and be washed down the drain.
By hiring a professional, you can be assured that they will remove the blockage and dispose of it appropriately rather than washing it away.
If they are not removed, these materials can adhere to each other or to other materials and create bigger blockages, including fatbergs, further down your drainage system.
A fatberg is a large, hard mass of fat, oil, grease (FOG), food waste, and other materials that can build up in your drainage system. These masses can block sewer pipes and cause expensive, time-consuming problems.
The best way to avoid fatbergs is to stop pouring fats and oils down your drains and properly dispose of wet wipes, sanitary products, and food waste.
For more information on fatbergs, you can read our latest fatberg data and insights report into the growing phenomenon,
You can prevent blockages by being mindful of what goes down your drains.
Don’t pour grease or oil down the sink; always dispose of food waste in the trash. A little care goes a long way in keeping your drains clear.
If you need help with a blocked drain, don’t hesitate to contact Lanes Drainage Services. Our team is ready to provide expert drain unblocking services.
Call us at 0800 526 488 or use our online form to request a callback.