How can I tell if my drains need professional unblocking or just a DIY fix?

Blocked drains are a common problem in homes, businesses and public buildings too. In many cases, the issue can be sorted by trying one of a handful of DIY methods – some of which are easier than you think. This can save you time and money compared to calling in the professionals.

But in some situations, it really is best to consult an expert. For serious blockages, any attempt to fix the problem yourself could actually end up making things worse.

The question is – how can you tell whether a DIY fix is possible, and when to call in a professional. We’ll take a look here, starting with a few common causes of blocked drains.

Common causes of blocked drains

If your drain is blocked, it could be due to a number of causes – some minor and easy to fix, and some more serious and in need of professional attention.

Minor causes tend to include:

• A build-up of hair, soap scum, grease and/or food scraps
• In toilets, a blockage caused by wet wipes or sanitary products being flushed
• In outdoor drains, blockages can be caused by a build-up of leaves, twigs and other garden debris.

More serious causes might include:

• Tree roots growing into outdoor drains
• ‘Fatbergs’ – large, solid masses of congealed grease, cooking fat and non-biodegradable waste like wet wipes, which can block drains and sewage pipes
• Collapsed, cracked or misaligned pipes.

When to try a DIY fix

If it’s the first time you’ve noticed a blockage and it’s an indoor drain like a kitchen sink, you can try a DIY fix.

Here are some things you can try:

• Use a plunger – this cheap, common household tool can be very effective on clearing blockages. It uses pressure and suction, creating a vacuum which dislodges the obstacle when it is released. Crucially, this method doesn’t involve putting anything down the drains – which can potentially make things worse in some situations.
• Use a drain snake – this is a long, flexible cable with a blade or auger on the end, which can be inserted into the drain to break up or dislodge the blockage.
• Pour a mixture of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and vinegar down the drain – a natural method which can dissolve some blockages, and is a good one to try before you use any chemical solutions
• Boiling water – simple yet surprisingly effective, a kettle full of boiling water poured down the drain can dissolve blockages caused by grease or oil.

You can use a chemical drain unblocking product if you want, but proceed with caution. They contain very harsh chemicals, which can potentially damage pipework as well as being hazardous to health. They may also be ineffective against severe or persistent clogs.

It’s best to try the solutions above before resorting to a chemical drain unblocker. Better still, skip to the next step – getting the drain unblocked by a professional.

When to call in the professionals

If you’ve tried the DIY methods above, or your problem involves an outdoor drain, it’s best to call in a professional drain unblocking service. The same goes for blockages that just keep coming back – this indicates you have a more serious and persistent problem on your hands.

If in doubt, it’s best to have an expert come in and carry out what is known as a CCTV drain survey. This uses advanced camera technology to actually look into the drain and see what the problem is.

It’s a fast, effective and accurate way to diagnose drainage problems, and implement targeted solutions that will actually work.