Most Effective Ways to Unblock a Sink
With the amount of use our kitchen sinks see throughout the year, its inevitable most households will face the problem of a blocked sink, so you must know what to do when you spot the issue to avoid having to call (and pay for!) an experienced plumber to come to fix it.
- Use a Plunger
Everyone’s heard of a plunger, but not everyone knows how to use one effectively to unclog a sink.
Here are several simple steps that you need to take before using a plunger to ensure you get the most effective use out of it.
Clear the drain – First, you must ensure that all lying water in the sink has been removed, along with any food or hair debris. Grab a set of rubber gloves and a cup, and bail out the standing water so the basin or sink is relatively water free. Ensure you also plug up the overflow with an old cloth or towel.
Clear the Plug – Ensure that the plughole has also been cleaned and cleared. Remove any debris that you can get hold of and then do a test to see if this has helped the water drain away, just quickly run your tap to see if the water now drains away.
Grab the Plunger – Once you have followed the above steps, it is time to grab the plunger. Place the plunger around the sinkhole and then fill the basin with a small amount of water (around an inch). Firmly press the plunger up and down, and make sure not to be too aggressive with the motion. This will create a suction that should dislodge any small blockages that are stopping your sink from draining. If this doesn’t work, you may need to consider a different method.
- Use DIY Tools to Unclog Your Sink
There are several useful tools that you can buy that will help you cleat stubborn sink blockages
Drain Snake – A drain snake is a useful tool to have in every homeowner's arsenal. It is a long flexible tool that can bend through your pipework and be used to dislodge a stubborn blockage in your plumbing system. They are cheap and simple to use, requiring no force to operate. All you need to do is rotate the handle back and forth, letting the head of the snake do the work for you.
Wire – The DIY version of the drain snake can be used as a quick alternative should you not have a snake to hand. Straighten out a wire coat hanger and gently push it down the sinkhole. With a small application of pressure, this can be an effective way of unblocking your sink.
DIY Drain Jet – Now this will not always work, but it is harmless to give a try. All you need is two empty bottles and some hot water. Fill up the bottles with hot water, place them at the opening of the sink and squeeze the water down forcefully. This may work as a weaker version of a drain jet, that can dislodge blockages and flush them down your pipe works.
- The Use of Drain Cleaners
A controversial option, but the use of certain chemicals can be effective in dislodging small blockages without needing to call a plumber.
Drain cleaning chemicals work by dissolving the blockage as they pass through the pipe. You will pour an entire bottle of the chemical down your pipes and follow the application instructions that the product has on the bottle.
Once done you will need to flush hot water down your drain and this can be a great way to keep your drain clear from everyday blockages that can occur from day-to-day use.
It is recommended though that this is not done regularly. Most chemicals are harmful to the environment and if used regularly can corrode away at your pipes, causing far bigger and more serious plumbing issues.
- Call an Experienced Plumber
Unfortunately, some blockages will require the aid of a professional to rectify. You need to know when it’s time to throw in the towel on your DIY escapades and call a plumber.
A professional plumber will have access to higher-spec equipment than what you do, they also have investigative equipment that can diagnose your issue and allow them to choose the best solution.
Whether they jet your drain with their high-powered equipment or use their drain rods to get to places that your small drain snake could not reach, they will be better equipped to deal with a more complicated blockage that you cannot unclog.
So you must know when the limitations of your tools and abilities signal for the assistance of a professional.
Conclusion
Hopefully from this article, you have been able to add a few drain-cleaning methods to your playbook for the next time you notice the water has stopped draining down the sink and that not all blockages require you to immediately call for a professional.
There are actions you can take yourself but if you are ever in any doubt or uncomfortable trying to clear the drain by yourself, give a professional a call, it's what they’re there for after all!