Techniques to Unclog a Blocked Drain
                     TECHNIQUES TO 
UNCLOG A BLOCKED 
DRAIN
https://www.aptplumbing.com.au/
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Blocked Drains Are A Pain. There Are Some Helpful Hints To Follow
Blocked drains can be the prime nuisance and inconvenience. There’s never an ideal 
time to have one. If ever you need help for blocked drains in Sydney, call APT Plumbing. 
They operate 24/7 and have experienced plumbers available to come at a time that 
suits you.
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STEER CLEAR OF THE DIY TIPS
Coat Hangers
We frequently have a few laying around so this would be a perfect method to clear a 
clogged drain. That is good in theory but usually blockages are located deep inside the pipe 
system, and there is a risk of the wire becoming stuck. If this occurs, you will then have two 
issues to fix. Furthermore, you may only push the blockage further along and make matters 
worse than they were in the beginning.
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 Commercial Drain Cleaners
It’s very easy to go to the supermarket and buy a commercial drain cleaner, but they have 
highly toxic and dangerous chemicals in them. Drain cleaners pose as an environmental 
hazard and can also cause issues with your plumbing system. Inhaling the chemicals can 
additionally cause health issues, especially if you suffer from Asthma or Bronchial issues.
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NATURAL NON TOXIC WAYS TO UNBLOCK A DRAIN
Hot (Almost Boiling) Water
Everyone has access to hot water. It is a good way to try and unblock minor blockages. 
Ensure the hot water is not at boiling temperature but just before the boiling point 
reaches, too hot can damage PVC Piping and we don’t want that!.
 Heat the water
 Pour a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid down the blocked drain
 Finally finish the process by pouring at least 1 litre of hot water down the drain.
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This method may need to be repeated a few times but if you want to try and clear your 
drain. Before contacting APT Plumbing for clogged drain cleaning in Sydney locations, 
it is worthwhile giving this a shot.
Use a Plunger
Old fashioned, YES!!! but in reality, this can be an effective tool to unblock a drain.
Remove things like a sink strainer, plug or grate
Fill the sink with hot or cold water and plunge up and down for approximately 30 
seconds.
If this is enough to clear the obstruction, carefully pour hot water down the drain 
to ensure that any leftover debris is flushed out the pipe.
Homemade mix of baking soda and vinegar.
A mix of baking soda, vinegar and boiling water is an old proven way to unblock 
drains. When the baking soda mixes with vinegar it fizzes and breaks through any 
build up in the fixtures.
Pour about a litre of boiling water down the blocked drain.
Put 1/2 cup of baking soda inside the drain and let it settle for a few minutes
Pour a cup of white vinegar followed by a cup of almost boiling water down the 
drain
Put the plug in and leave for 10 minutes to settle
Finish with another litre of almost boiling water down the drain to remove any 
debris left behind build up in the pipes.
PIPE SNAKE OR DRAIN AUGER
If the plunger fails to remove the blockage, then a drain auger or snake can also help 
remove stubborn blockages. Drain snakes are flexible long metallic cable with a uncoiled 
spring that goes into the pipe. If you are not confident in using this yourself, you can call 
APT Plumbing and one of their experienced plumbers can do this for you. Additionally, if 
this is not successful in unblocking the pipe, they have other high pressure drain cleaners 
that should fix the blockage for you.
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If attempting to clear the blockage alone then using the drain snake you should ensure:
*Only holding this from the handle
*Rotate the handle and uncoil the drain snake along the drain
*If you feel the snake resisting, there may very well be a blockage. When this occurs 
rotate the snake and repeat the process.
*If noises are heard, reposition the snake. You don’t want to damage the pipe.
*The auger can get stuck inside the clog. If this occurs, pull the snake from the pipe. 
Be aware that blockage may come with the snake.
*Once the snake is not resisting, you can retract the snake out and clean the auger 
head.
Please note, should this not clear the blockage, then you will need to call on APT 
Plumbers to assist. They have plumbers available 24/7 to assist as there is never an 
ideal time or day to have plumbing issues.
CLEAN THE P-TRAP
The P-Trap can collect debris before it gets further in the pipes and clogged, It is an 
essential part of the plumbing system, located under the sink & can be easily 
removed and cleaned. If you are confident, you can do this yourself and clean on a 
regular basis.
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*Place a bucket under the U bend of the pipe
*Use a wrench, unscrew the nuts off the pipes and carefully remove the P-Trap
*Empty the bucket with the pipe’s contents.
*Clean inside the pipe using gloves and a small soft brush
*Rinse the pipe using hot water
*Put the pipe back together and make sure it is secured tightly. 
This method usually clears any blockages. But you need to call a plumber if the blockage 
is deep in the pipe.
BLOCKED DRAIN PLUMBING SERVICES
APT Plumbing is a long established plumbing company that provides blocked drains 
plumbing services. We can do yearly inspections to offer you peace of mind that all 
your plumbing is operating effectively, so any problems you may experience should be 
minor and easy to fix. Our team of experienced plumbers are available to come at a 
time that fits around you as we understand we all live busy lives. Call us today, our 
experienced plumbers are available 24/7.
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CONTACT US
https://www.aptplumbing.co
m.a02u 9/727 5736
[email protected]
m.au
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