Households in parts of the UK hit by heavy rainfall are being urged to pour vinegar down their drains to help clear blockages caused by leaves, twigs, and other debris. The advice comes as some areas have seen 100mm of rain in just 48 hours, the equivalent of a fortnight's worth of rainfall, while other regions face a fifth heatwave of the summer.
Why drains block after dry spells
In areas that have experienced prolonged dry spells before the downpours, such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, blocked drains are a common problem. During heavy rain, exterior drains can quickly become clogged with leaves, twigs, dirt, and debris. Kitchen drains can also contribute, with fat, grease, rice, and food residue building up and blocking outdoor drainage systems. When heavy rainfall meets already-blocked drains, the pipes cannot handle the volume of water.
Simple vinegar and bicarbonate solution
For those with frequently blocked drains, there is no need for costly chemical products. A combination of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can keep drains flowing freely. Plumbing website Wolseley advises: "Outside drains do many important jobs, handling everything from domestic waste to leaves and outdoor debris. This means that they can become easily blocked but luckily drain unblocking is quite simple to do by yourself if a problem occurs."
Wolseley also recommends controlling what goes down drains, avoiding cooking grease and coffee grounds, and adding grates and filters to outside drains to stop garden debris. Small filters in plugholes can catch food waste and hair. If drains regularly block, the website suggests using baking soda, vinegar, or small amounts of chemical drain cleaner.
Step-by-step method
Plumbing specialists Plumbcare outline a method for tackling a blocked drain with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. The website advises: "Mix two parts baking soda and one part salt and pour down the drain. Warm four parts vinegar and pour down on top of the baking soda and salt. It will bubble and fizz. Let it work for 15 minutes and then flush through with hot water."
