Blocked drain: household remedies help better than chemical maces

Gluck, gluck ... It's already happened: The water is standing, the drain is blocked. In the kitchen it's usually leftover food or hardened grease, in the bathroom it's often long hair. And now? We have the best tips for a clear drain.

Wenn der Abfluss verstopft ist, kann das Pumpen mit dem Pömpel festsitzenden Schmutz lockern.© istock
Sometimes it helps: persistent pumping with the rubber plunger. Dirt is loosened and the water drains well again.

Home remedies help

Baking soda or baking powder are not just for baking, they can also save the day. Pour four tablespoons of baking soda or baking powder down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar essence. Once it has stopped bubbling, rinse with hot water.

Is there also something chemical?

Countless granules, gels and foams promise a clear drain within a few minutes. However, Stiftung Warentest warns that most of them are ineffective - and can even damage the pipe.

Get to the plunger

Place the plunger in the middle of the drain and press down. Let the basin run full of water, plug the emergency drain and move the plunger rod up and down without lifting it from the drain. If the water then drains away, the problem has been solved. Otherwise: repeat everything.

Simply brushed away

It is usually the so-called siphon, the U-shaped pipe under the sink, that is blocked. If neither plungers nor household remedies help, try a drain brush. Then nothing can break.

Who pays for the professional?

If you do need to call in a professional, the following applies: If the drain is being used in accordance with the contract, i.e. if only hair and food residue are to blame, the landlord pays. Everything else is the tenant's responsibility.

You might also be interested in this: