Households urged to pour baking soda down the drain in October

Pouring rain, falling leaves, plummeting temperatures and lots of cooking at home in October and into winter are all contributors to drains running slow, blocking or even flooding your property.

Met Office weather warnings such as the ones we had last weekend often outline damage to property from debris and destruction, but even rain and leaves can cause issues for your house.

That's because drains can struggle to cope with heavy rain, especially if they're also blocked by autumn phenomena like fallen leaves, twigs and acorns.

But you don't necessarily need to splash out on expensive professional call-outs to keep your drain running well and keeping your house and garden clear of standing water.

Household experts are urging people to regularly put bicarbonate of soda down their drains, both outside and inside the house, in a bid to keep things flowing.

Website Drain Doctor says bicarb can instantly unblock a drain that's running slowly. It explains: "Mix 1/3rd of a cup of bicarbonate of soda with 1/3rd of a cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. It will fizz immediately, and you should waste no time pouring it down the clogged drain.

"The fizzing action will help to remove the gunk, hair, and grime that has built up in the blocked drain pipe. Let it sit for one hour or even overnight if you can. Then flush the drain with hot water. Alternatively, get as much of the dry bicarbonate of soda as you can down the drain first, then pour on the vinegar."

This is backed up by Karcher, the makers of the famous pressure washers. It says: "Grease and food residues in the kitchen, soap, care products and hair in the bathroom: Every day, material flows through the drains which, over time, forms deposits in the pipes. If you do not regularly remove these deposits, they eventually form a blockage and water can no longer drain away.

"The shops are full of granules, gels and power foams that claim to help you clear your drains in no time. However, in the end, these chemical cleaners often only have one effect: The drain becomes permanently clogged.

"However, if the drain in the washbasin or sink is clogged, you don't have to immediately reach for the drain-cleaner - many tried-and-tested household remedies also help you to clean blocked drains and pipes.

"Vinegar combined with bicarbonate of soda or washing soda: Bicarbonate of soda or washing soda can be used as an alternative to baking powder.

"Pour four tablespoons of soda or bicarbonate of soda into the drain, then pour in half a cup of vinegar essence and, after a short time (when you can no longer hear any fizzing sound), flush with hot water."