What to do if you have a blocked floor drain in your home
You may not normally pay much attention to a floor drain in your home. It’s one of those features that do not really attract much attention. This is the reason why many floors drains are not maintained and cleaned as regularly as they should be. Floor drains are located in utility areas such as basements and garages where things such as scum, hair and general dirt and grime are washed down them.
You can see why it’s easy for a floor drain to become blocked if it’s not cleaned on a regular basis. If you notice that water is not flowing down a floor drain, and grunge is backing up, you should deal with the issue as soon as possible. We are going to give you some tips on how you should go about dealing with a floor drain blockage in your home.
Using a plunger to clear the blockage
Most people have a plunger to hand in their home. This is an ideal tool to use if you are trying to return the flow to a floor drain. It’s a good idea to use petroleum jelly to seal the rim of the plunger around the drain. Once you have done this you should plunge forcefully several times. It’s easy to see if your attempts have been successful. All you have to do is pour some water down the drain and see if it clears away with no problem.
Cleaning a floor drain using vinegar and baking soda
If you want to try and remove the blockage in a floor drain using vinegar and baking soda the first thing you need to do is remove the cover from the drain using a screwdriver. Once you have removed the cover you need to reach down the drain and remove the grime that has gathered; it’s important that you remember to wear rubber gloves when you do this.
Once you have removed the grime from the drain you should scrub the area with a toothbrush then wash it down with boiling water. After approximately ten minutes you should pour a whole box of baking soda down the drain, followed by thirty-two ounces of white vinegar. These two products mix together to create an excellent cleaning solution. You should leave this solution to work for around ten minutes before washing it down with more boiling water.
Hopefully, the drain should now be clear and you should just be able to replace the drain cover. If neither of these processes works you may find that you have to call a plumber in Lane Cove for help. Plumbers have experience and expertise which they can put to use clearing your floor drain for you.
They also have tools, such as drain snakes, which can make the task a lot easier. You should never just neglect a problem with a blocked floor drain as it is only likely to worsen. If you are not able to deal with the situation yourself you should make sure you seek professional assistance as soon as possible.
I’ve noticed that a few of my drains are getting blocked and I’m concerned that it’s a result of something deeper in the pipes. I’ve tried various methods of using chemicals and tools to try and dissolve or remove whatever is in them but it’s not helping. I’ll have to look into hiring a professional because nothing along the lines of baking soda or plungers has worked.
Dealing with clogged floor drains does not sound fun. I actually had no idea that they could be clogged and cause problems. It’s good to know that plungers can be used to fix the clog, but I think if I was having this problem regularly, I would just invest in a strainer for the floor.