Households are being urged to pour vinegar down their drains to prevent blockages as autumn weather arrives. Plumbing experts suggest that a simple kitchen product could solve a common problem before winter sets in.
Why autumn brings drain problems
Heavy rain can contribute to drainage issues, with sudden downpours often overwhelming outside drains. If these drains contain any blockages, pipes can struggle to cope with high volumes of water.
While drain cleaners can be expensive, blocked drains can be kept clear with a simple solution. Householders are advised to pour a mix of vinegar and baking soda down the drain, as reported by The Express.
Expert advice from plumbing websites
Plumbing website Wolseley shares tips on tackling problem drains, stating: “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.
“The best way of preventing your drains from blocking is by controlling what goes down them. If your drains connect to the inside of your home, you should make sure that no-one is putting cooking grease or coffee grounds directly down the drains as these are common causes of blockages.
“You can also add grates and filters to your outside drains to stop garden debris from blocking them. These are very effective against leaves which can contribute significantly to blockages.”
Wolseley adds: “You can also add small filters to your plugholes indoors to catch food waste and hairs from being flushed down and contributing to blockages. If your drains regularly block despite precautions, you may wish to start putting baking soda, vinegar, or small amounts of a chemical drain cleaner down your drains to help keep them clear for longer.”
How to use the vinegar and baking soda method
Website Plumbcare also recommends the combination of vinegar and baking soda to clear a blocked drain. It explains that two parts baking soda should be mixed with one part salt and poured down the drain first.
Then four parts vinegar should be warmed and poured on top of the baking soda and salt, where the mixture will bubble and fizz. It adds: “Let it work for 15 minutes and then flush through with hot water.”
