3 Most Popular Ways to Clear Drain Blockages

faceless man standing on street near at road drain

There are a number of things that happen when a drain becomes blocked – all of which can cause serious harm to the structural integrity of your drainage system and pipe network.

While the causes of a blocked drain vary hugely, with everything from strands of hair to kitchen fats and oils being found to be problematic when allowed to drain through the plughole and down into the pipes, the outcome is largely always the same. Blocked pipes lead to gurgling, slow-draining sinks and plugs, an unpleasant aroma, and costly repair work if left untreated for a prolonged period.

Needless to say, there’s a reason why the demand for companies that specialise in blocked drains in London and beyond is so high. Here are the 3 most popular ways to clear a blocked drain.

1. The DIY Approach

Note: We said “popular” in the title, not “successful”.

You wouldn’t believe how many homeowners and property managers first seek to solve their own blocked drain – using a combination of homemade solutions and brute force to try and shift the blockage manually. The problem is that trying to manually push the blockage away tends to compact it further, making it even more difficult to shift. What’s more, the solutions that can be made using ingredients you have at home aren’t usually potent enough to have an effect on solid blockages.

2. High-Pressure Watter Jetting (HPWJ) & Electrical Mechanical Coring Machinery (EMC)

Option two is both the most popular among professional drain cleaners and specialists, and the most effective in most client cases.

High intensity water jetting uses incredibly powerful machinery to blast water into the pipe network, which is designed to break down and flush the blockage away with ease. Relying solely on water, this solution does not require any damaging chemicals or hazardous substances – instead using the power of pressure to flush the blockage away. EMC is utilised to break up scale and grease deposits within small bore pipework and pipework up to 150mm. This is usually combined with HPWJ to remove all deposits and restore full bore to pipework.

3. CCTV Survey Diagnosis and Unblocking Treatment

The third most popular option for drain blockage removal combines unblocking services with a CCTV survey intervention. This is a multi-step process, which seeks to first identify the blockage and any surrounding damage, and then engage the best system to remove it.

CCTV surveys tend to be a safe option in cases where a blockage is likely to be causing other damage, where pipes have collapsed, and where a full report is needed to dissect the issue and ensure that the property owner can make a claim against insurance to help cover the repair costs.

Once a CCTV survey has been conducted and formalised, the blockage and any subsequent damage can be treated.

Which drain unblocked solution do we recommend?

If you have noticed any of the common signs of a blocked drain as identified at the start of this blog, then the most important thing to do is to act quickly.

Calling a specialist drainage company will ensure your blockage is treated swiftly, with most companies using high-pressure water jetting and EMC (Electrical Mechanical Coring) unless there is any proof of further damage.

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