Although you rely on the wastewater system to drain dirty water from your home, certain issues can occur and make the system ineffective. One of the common problems you may face if your plumbing system isn't maintained regularly is blocked drains. This causes the pools of standing dirty water to accumulate in the bathroom, toilet, or kitchen sink if you continue to produce more wastewater.

Such blockages occur when elements like hair, food waste, soap, grease, tiny objects, and minerals build-up in the plumbing pipes over time. If the blockage isn't removed, wastewater will stagnate in the house, and that's the most unsightly thing anyone can see in their house. Moreover, standing water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies and can also cause the formation of mould and mildew.

Fortunately, there are certain things you can do to unblock drains with standing water, and this post will share some of them.

Get a plunger

A plunger is one of the essential tools every homeowner must have. This tool can easily help you unclog the drain fast, especially if the blockage isn't so large. All you have to do is place the plunger on the drain opening and create a tight seal. Plunge vigorously and repeat the process until you hear the suction clearing the clog. The standing water will be drained right away. Remove the plunger and flush with warm water.

Use baking soda and vinegar

Begin by removing the standing water, and then pour approximately one cup of baking soda in the drain. Add in an equal amount of apple cider or white vinegar. These components will start bubbling, and once the reaction stops, place a stopper on the opening. Allow the solution to stay in the drain for twenty minutes or so, and pour in some hot water to check if the clog is cleared. You may need to repeat this process several times. You may also use salt, baking soda and boiling water.

Acquire an auger or plumber snake

An auger is another handy tool you can rely on to clear large clogs that are stuck down the system. But the steps involved can be a bit complex if you aren't an excellent DIYer. Start by dissembling the drain pipe and p-trap to uncover the stub pipe. Insert the auger into the pipe until you get to the clog, then break it.

While all these options can help you unclog a blocked drain, be sure to get help from an emergency plumber if the problem isn't fixed.