UK households are being urged to pour vinegar down their outdoor drains this October to help prevent blockages. The advice comes after many parts of the country experienced significant rainfall in recent weeks, raising the risk of flooding when drains cannot cope with the volume of water.
When intense rain meets clogged pipes, water can flood gardens, driveways, or even seep into properties. To avoid this, maintaining outdoor drains is key, and experts say there is no need to spend large sums on commercial drain cleaners.
Simple DIY solution
Plumbing website Wolseley explained that outside drains handle everything from domestic waste to leaves and outdoor debris, making them prone to blockages. However, it noted that drain unblocking is quite simple to do yourself if a problem occurs.
The website advised preventing blockages by controlling what goes down the drains. If drains connect to the inside of the home, no one should put cooking grease or coffee grounds directly down them, as these are common causes of blockages.
Step-by-step instructions
Website Plumbcare provided instructions for using vinegar and baking soda to unblock a drain. The method involves mixing two parts baking soda with one part salt and pouring it down the drain. Then warm four parts vinegar and pour it on top, letting the mixture bubble and fizz for 15 minutes before flushing through with hot water.
