Easy Ways To Unblock Sink With Basic Household Items

A blocked sink will give you a lot of discomfort and cause an unhygienic environment if it is not fixed timely. Luckily, there are innumerable simple yet efficient ways to unblock sink with the most common household things. Be it the blocked kitchen sink from food remains or the bathroom sink from hair and soap substances, these easiest of methods will assist you in unclogging without hiring the services of a plumber.

Speak directly with our experienced plumbers to discuss your clogged sink  needs. At Bromley Plumbers, we prioritise quality service and attention to detail from start to finish. Call 0208 050 2707 or email info@bromleyplumbersltd.co.uk today.

7 Simple Methods To Try

1. Boiling Water

This is one of the easiest and most effective methods of clearing a clogged sink. It is best suited for small clogs caused by grease, soap, or small food particles.

Steps To Follow

• Boil a kettle of water.
• Slowly pour the boiling water down the sink drain.
• Wait a few minutes and then check if the water is draining properly.
• Repeat if needed.

2. Baking Soda And Vinegar

This is among the popular natural cleaning solutions; it works magic in cleaning sink blockages. It forms a chemical action that helps break the blockage.

Steps To Follow

• Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain.
• Pour half a cup of white vinegar down after it.
• Plug it immediately, preventing the fizzing.
• Let it sit for 15 minutes to half an hour.
• Rinse drain with hot Water.

3. Salt And Baking Soda

A combination of salt and baking soda is another effective solution for sink drainage. The mode of action here is similar to that of the baking soda and vinegar technique, where the addition of salt acts as a little abrasive to scrub the pipes from the inside.

Steps To Follow

• Mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of table salt.
• Pour it down into the blocked drain.
• Let it sit for at least 15 minutes or overnight if you have tough clogs.
• Flush the mixture down by pouring boiling water down the drain.

4. Plunger

This is one of the many household equipment available that could help unclog the sink, particularly if the particles are larger.

Steps To Follow

• Use the plunger cup directly over the drain, covering the whole opening of the drain.
• Fill the sink with water to cover the plunger cup.
• Press down on the plunger with great force, then pull up sharply to create suction.
• Repeat the process several times until the clog is dislodged.

5. Wire Coat Hanger

A wire coat hanger is an effective solution to cope up with the hair and other debris at the surface level.

Steps To Follow

• Straighten a coat hanger as much as possible.
• Bend one end into the form of a small hook.
• Insert the hook end into the drain, and fish for any blockage.
• Pull out the debris and properly dispose of it.

6. Dish Soap and Hot Water

Dish soap, with its grease—and oil-dissolving properties, helps to clear the clog, and hot water flushes the contents out.

Steps

• Squirt a generous amount of dish soap down the drain.
• Follow it with boiling water.
• After a few minutes, run hot water to see if it has cleared.
• Repeat as necessary.

7. Wet And Dry Vacuum

A wet and dry vacuum could be used to create suction where the above methods may fail.

Steps

• Run the vacuum in ‘liquid’ mode.
• Vacuum hose and a wet rag.
• Seal the two tightly right over the drain.
• Turn on the vacuum to the most robust blower setting and wait for it to suck in the blockage.

Preventing Future Clogs

While knowing how to unclog a sink is important, prevention is always better than the cure. Here are some tips that will help in preventing future blockages:

1. Drain Guard

Installing a drain guard or strainer will catch hair, food particles, and other debris before they go down the drain.

2. Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain

Grease solidifies in pipes and can cause blockages. To dispose of grease, put it in a container and throw it in the trash.

3. Regular Maintenance

Clean your drains regularly with things like baking soda and vinegar to prevent any buildup from occurring.

4. Flush with Hot Water

Flushing with hot water once a week will help keep the drain free from buildup and maintain a good flow.

When To Call A Professional

If none of the abovementioned methods worked out and your sink remains clogged, it’s time to consider involving a professional plumber from the reputed source.

Important note – The recurring problem may mean that there could be a more serious issue with your plumbing system, including tree roots within the sewer line or even collapsed pipes. It’s a high time to have someone by your side. Professional plumbers are more geared to identify such problems efficiently and diagnose and repair them properly.

Final Words

Unblocking a sink doesn’t have to be a daunting task for you. You can easily and quickly clear the drain using the right tools and household items. Follow these simple techniques to keep your drain flowing free and see how to prevent sink clogs in the future. Note that regular maintenance by plumbing professionals will do much to keep the plumbing running well and clog-free.

Feel free to count on Bromley Plumbers to keep your plumbing running smoothly.
Contact us today to get started.