Although pretty common, dealing with clogged sinks can be frustrating, especially when entertaining guests at home.
It usually occurs when foreign objects get trapped in the kitchen or clogged bathroom sink drain, including soap scum, hair, food scraps, tissue, etc. People often do not take this problem very seriously, but if not resolved in time, it can lead to more complicated issues later.
A clogged sink can cause plumbing leaks and backup wastewater through the drain pipe. Fortunately, there are a few steps by which you can deal with this problem easily and prevent the situation from worsening.
If you want to know how to unclog a sink, here are seven steps you should try!
7 Steps To Unclog Your Sink
1. Using Boiling Water
Soap scum, hair, and other substances trapped in the sink drain can be removed if you pour boiling water down the clogged drain. To do so, boil around 2 litres of water using your stove or kettle before pouring boiling water directly into the sink.
Check whether the kitchen sink is draining properly by turning on the faucet and repeat the process if it is not. However, avoid using this method if you have plastic pipes since the boiling water can melt them.
2. With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Another method you can try is using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda method, a natural drain cleaner. These household items are easily available and are safer alternatives to chemical drain cleaners, but they create a reaction powerful enough to melt the clog.
If standing water is in your sink, remove it using a bowl and pour about ½ cup baking soda into the drain. Pour the same amount of white vinegar into the blocked sink drain, using a spoon or spatula to push it into the pipeline and cover the opening with a drain stopper.
This will ensure the reaction is forced downwards through the pipes to where the sink clog is. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes before removing the cover and pouring about 2 litres of hot water down the drain. You can add more baking soda and vinegar a few times before rinsing with boiling water.
3. Unclogging With A Plunger
You can also use a plunger to remove the clog; for this purpose, a flat-bottomed plunger or a toilet plunger is most suitable. First, fill the sink with hot water to create a tight seal, and hold the plunger upright above it.
Then plunge vigorously to force the water into the clogged drains and continue this process for about 20 minutes. Once done, remove the plunger to see whether the water is draining, and if it is, continue the process until the water starts flowing freely.
4. Cleaning The P-Trap
The sink has a P-trap for trapping impurities to prevent hair, soap residue, coffee grounds, and other debris from entering the pipes. If there is a blockage in the trap, it can cause water to drain slowly or even stop it from draining altogether.
The P-trap can be easily removed and cleaned to sort out this issue. However, doing so can be a bit messy, so wear a pair of goggles and gloves.
Place a bucket underneath the sink to catch any debris from the pipe, and use a pair of slip joint pliers to loosen or unscrew the slip nuts. With these nuts removed, you can disassemble and clean the trap using a wire brush.
Finally, wash the trap with hot tap water and reattach it to the sink before checking whether it is draining properly.
5. Using A Coat Hanger
An old wire coat hanger can come in handy to remove clogs caused by hair, tissue and other substances. But you must straighten out the hanger while creating a hook at one end to insert it into the sink drain.
Carefully slide the hooked end of the hanger into the drain while pressing it to the side. This will prevent sink clogs from being pushed down the piping.
If you feel resistance, try hugging the materials causing the clog and pulling them up slowly. Once the clog has been removed, run hot tap water through the drain opening for a few minutes to check the drainage.
6. Checking The Garbage Disposal
A kitchen sink with a garbage disposal system may have food scraps or other items trapped inside, causing the clog. In such situations, the disposal system may fail to turn on, and you will have to reboot it using the switch provided on the side.
Alternatively, a humming sound may indicate broken or jammed disposal, in which case disconnect the power to remove the clog.
7. Using A Plumber’s Snake
For the most stubborn clogs, you will need to use a plumber’s snake, a handy tool that can be bought from any hardware store. You can also get an electric plumber’s snake which is even more effective, provided you don’t use too much force since that can push the clog further down the drain.
Unclogging a Sink Made Easy: 7 Simple Steps to Success!
These steps are some of the easiest to help you unclog your kitchen or bathroom sinks. Most of these require readily available items at home or purchased from nearby hardware stores.
However, you can also try chemical cleaners if the above methods fail. But keep in mind that drain cleaner may damage the piping and fixtures of the plumbing system. So, when you are confused and nothing seems to be working, call a licensed plumber to fix a slow-draining sink.
Want to know more about how you can protect yourself from drain clogs? Read our guide on preventing blocked drains in your home.
In Perth Bellevue, there is no better team than Woolf Plumbing & Gas in Ellenbrook. Our expert plumbers specialise in blocked drain repairs, ensuring a fast, affordable and professional service. Please make an appointment with our team today!
That’s all on our guide to clearing your clogged si. Until next time!
