Households are being urged to pour vinegar down their drains on Monday to help keep them clear following weekend rain. The advice comes as some areas, particularly Scotland and Northern Ireland, have experienced heavy downpours after several dry weeks, which can lead to blocked drains.
Why drains get blocked
During and after wet weather, outside drains can quickly clog with leaves, twigs, and dirt. Inside, food waste, fat, grease, and even rice can contribute to blockages. When heavy rain meets a blocked drain, the pipes can no longer cope with the volume of water, leading to flooding.
Simple and cheap solution
Plumbing website Wolseley advises that expensive drain cleaning solutions, often laden with toxic chemicals, are not necessary. Instead, using vinegar and baking soda or bicarbonate of soda can keep drains running smoothly. Wolseley recommends controlling what goes down drains, adding grates and filters to outside drains to catch leaves, and using small filters indoors to catch food waste and hair.
For regular blockages, Wolseley suggests putting baking soda, vinegar, or small amounts of chemical cleaner down drains to help keep them clear for longer.
How to use vinegar and baking soda
Website Plumbcare explains a method: mix two parts baking soda and one part salt, pour down the drain. Warm four parts vinegar and pour on top. Let it bubble and fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.
