Tips for a blocked drain

[Kermit]

We've had a blocked drain in the bathroom basin for a while.

Various methods like regular sessions with a plunger have had a little success but it soon becomes bothersome again.

Keen to hear what your tips are for a blocked drain. 

[Jackson]

Hey @Kermit, I'd be keen to hear what you've already tried.

I've been able to clear a drain with some light plunging in cold water followed by a flush of boiling water before, but some heavier blockages may need a specialised drain cleaner. I've found a gel at Coles that works super well, but the name is escaping me right now (I know the bottle is pink). Anyway, I'd say try the plunger/flush combo first and if that doesn't work I'd hit it with some drain cleaning gel. After pouring the gel down the drain, you wait around 10 - 15 minutes and then flush it with warm water. Just make sure you don't combine these two methods, flushing the drain cleaner with boiling water will end in a bad, bad time. Oh, and make sure you wear rubber gloves for all of this.

If both of these methods fail, it might be time to call a plumber.

[Kermit]

Yeah, mostly plunging and hot water, and also obviously unscrewing the waste assembling and clearing it.  

We've also done the baking soda, followed by the boiling water, then white vinegar, then more boiling water. 

[Jackson]

Well @Kermit, it sounds like it is definitely time for a plumber.

[Kermit]

Called the plumber after the shower drain also started struggling. Turns out tree roots had grown into our three waste pipes. It was definitely time for the plumber...