How to Clean Plugholes and Keep Your Pipes Clear

Blocked drains are one of the most common problems our customers have, and they can cause significant damage to your drainage system and pipes. So, it is important to know how to prevent blocked drains and restore drainage functionality. By keeping your plughole clean and clear of soap, hair, and grime, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of blockages in the pipes, slow running water, bad odours, and so much more. Learning how to clean your plugholes can keep your drainage system working well for many years to come.

Use a Protective Drain Screen

One of the best ways to keep your drain pipes clear of blockages is to cover your plughole with a protective drain screen. Easy to find in most supermarkets or home improvement stores, protective drain screens are a great way to stop debris from being washed down your drain.

Once you’ve put your protective drain screen in place, it will start collecting hair and soap pieces, trapping them before they can be washed away. All that needs doing once in a while is a clean of the protective drain screen. But apart from that, protective drain screens are very easy to maintain and perfect if you lead a busy life and don’t want to worry about keeping your drain clear of blockages.

Make Use of Commercial Drain Cleaners

Small clogs can be easily removed through the use of commercial drain cleaners. Found in most supermarkets, drain cleaners are chemical products that help flush out any blockages in your drainage system. What’s more, they keep your plughole clean and clear.

It is up to you whether you opt for chemical or natural ingredients in your drain cleaning products. Both are just as effective and will effectively keep your plughole clean and clear.

Remove Blockages Yourself

Some people find that the most effective way to keep their plugholes clear of dirt and debris is to remove any blockages or hair build-ups after every bath or shower. Of course, this method does require a little bit of extra time and can be a little more time-consuming than other methods we will mention, but it is still a very effective option. Removing hair build-up and debris from your plugholes on a regular basis will help prevent blockages from forming inside the pipes.

Use Boiling Water Every Day

Pouring boiling water down your plughole on a regular basis is one of the best ways to flush out blockages and ensure things do not build-up in your pipes. A great alternative to chemical cleaning products, boiling water is a great way to wash away any hair, soap, and debris that has become caught around the plughole. It also helps wash through dirt build-up that has collected inside the pipes. Simply pouring a kettle full of hot water down your plughole every day will help keep it clear and prevent any blockages in your drains.

Remove Plughole Dirt with Tweezers

Plugholes can be very small and often the dirt and debris that collects inside of them is hard to remove. However, one very effective method is to use tweezers to reach down inside the plughole and pull out any collected hair or dirt that has lodged itself there. Tweezers are very effective for reaching into those smaller spaces and effectively help clear your plughole. Although a rather unknown method, tweezers are one of the fastest and easiest ways to clear your plughole in a hurry.

Combine Baking Soda and Vinegar

Effective natural cleaners, the combination of baking soda and vinegar are great at clearing blockages and cleaning your plughole. What’s more, the combination of baking soda and vinegar gets rid of bad odours, leaving your plughole and drain pipes smelling clean and fresh.

To clear your plughole, add a couple of teaspoons of baking soda to your plughole and follow it with a cup of white vinegar. The solution will work together to dissolve blockages and clear your plugholes so that your drains can work properly once again.

Wire Coat Hangers Work for Deeper Blockages

Sometimes, the dirt build-up in your plughole can be so extensive that they become forced into your drain pipes, causing blockages too deep to reach with your hands or a pair of tweezers. In such circumstances, one of the most effective methods is the wire coat hanger.

Simply straighten out a wire coat hanger, leaving the hook on the end, and lower the hooked end through the plughole and into the drain. Using a gentle twisting motion, you should be able to hook out any build-up of hair and soap that has become blocked further down in your pipes. Using a wire coat hanger is an effective method for removing deep blockages and should see your drains running smoothly again in no time.

Clear Your Plughole with a Plunger

Significant drain blockages can cause a lot of problems and can be very difficult to clear. That’s why, when it comes to extensive blockages, we suggest using a plunger. Clearing blockages from your plughole and drains with a plunger can be very effective and restore your drains to their normal working.

When using a plunger, it is important to create effective suction by fully covering the plughole. Once the plunger is properly situated with the right amount of suction, move the plunger up and down to help release any grime, hair, and caught debris that has built-up around the plughole and in the pipes. Plungers, when used properly, are extremely effective at bringing blockages to the surface so that the debris can be easily removed.

Call in the Professionals

If your plughole remains blocked and the water in your home is slow running, foul smelling, or slow draining, it is time to call in the professionals. The team at Coastal Drains can unblock your drains for you and are very experienced at removing blockages that have become deeply lodged inside the pipes. So, if you’ve tried to clear your plughole and wash out the blockages in your drains without any success, the next step is to call in the professionals and have our team do the hard work for you.