Ask any plumber for the most common call out and they will almost immediately answer: a sink blockage. It’s not surprising if you think about it. Don’t you use the kitchen sink all day? You often pour vegetable peels or other food scraps down your drain. In the bathroom, stray hairs can mix with soap, skin flakes, toothpaste, and other gunk, eventually clogging your sink.
Are there any effective DIY methods to unclog a sink drain? Yes, there are!
Vinegar
When you’re ready to unclog your sink drain, you can use vinegar as a natural drain cleaner. Vinegar contains a high acid content, which can help break up organic material. You should also use a small sink plunger to agitate the clogged materials.
A baking soda and vinegar mixture is another natural drain cleaner. You can use half a cup of each to unclog your drain. Then, follow it up with boiling water and let it sit for an hour. After that, use a funnel to pour the mixture down the drain.
Baking soda and vinegar are caustic, which means they dissolve materials that might be otherwise unaffected by a drain cleaner. But use caution because these two ingredients can cause damage to your pipes. Make sure to follow the directions on the container. Otherwise, you might end up with a leaky pipe.
Baking soda and vinegar are natural cleaners that can unclog a sink drain. However, they do produce toxic gas, so use them responsibly. Also, follow the instructions carefully and test the mixture on a small area before using it in your drain. Moreover, they will break down the clogging agents in your drain.
A solution of hot water and vinegar can remove stubborn grease clogs. You should use this solution if you notice the sink drain is slow to drain water. However, it is important to use a drain strainer. This will prevent unwanted items from washing down your drain.
Hot water
Sometimes the simplest way to unclog a sink drain is to pour boiling water down it. It takes a few minutes, but it will dislodge the clog and free your drain. If you can’t boil water, you can use a combination of baking soda and vinegar to get rid of clogs and clear drains.
Before you try this, be sure to read the directions carefully. Boiling water may damage old porcelain sinks or PVC pipes. You can also use drain cleaner to unclog a drain. Blue Dawn is an excellent brand for cleaning sink drains. Use a full cup to tackle the toughest clogs. Pour the mixture slowly and steadily into the drain. Let the solution sit in the drain for 10 to 15 minutes.
Another effective way to unclog a sink drain is to use a plumber’s snake. This tool has a hook at the end, which can help you to get the clog. You need to be careful not to push the snake down any further. Once you are done, drain the water in another sink.
If you aren’t able to clear the clog yourself, try using a plunger to clear the drain. A flat-bottomed plunger works best for sinks, but a toilet plunger will work as well. To use the plunger, fill the sink halfway with hot water. Then, pump up and down quickly. Once you’ve gotten rid of the debris, run hot water through the sink drain to make sure that the water is draining properly.
Another option is to use a wire hanger, which works similarly to a snake. If the snake doesn’t work, try feeding the wire hanger down the drain and wiggle the clog out of the way. Otherwise, you can always call a Dayton plumber for help. Also, you can try using chemical agents or home-made declogging solutions to help unclog your sink.
Drain snake
A drain snake is a handy tool to unclog a sink or tub drain. It has a cable housing that can be inserted into the drain. You can turn the handle to send the snake further into the pipe. You may feel resistance as you push the snake up against the clog. Once you feel resistance, twist the snake against the clog to free it. The rotating motion will grab the clog and break it free. You can then flush the drain to clear it.
First, you must locate the clog. If it is stubborn, you can try using a plumber’s snake. When you’re using the snake to unclog the drain, you can clean it at the same time as you push it. Sometimes you need to repeat this process several times until the drain is clear. Once you’re finished, reassemble the snake and run warm water to flush out the drain.
To use a drain snake, you need to bend the end of the snake 3 to four inches before inserting it into the drain. Afterward, turn the crank in a clockwise direction to unclog the drain. Be sure to engage the lock so that it won’t retract back. Using the crank to push the snake through the sink’s clog is a great way to free up the drain.
Another method is to place a power auger in the sink drain. This tool can be used in sinks and bathtubs. It can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings, and most have a foot-pedal switch so you can use it hands-free. To feed the cable into the drain, turn the motor clockwise until you feel resistance.
The drain snake can be useful for cleaning the gutter or lawn irrigation system, as well. The snake is available at any hardware store or department store. Larger augers are more expensive, but basic ones can be purchased for under ten dollars. If cost is a concern, you can even make your own drain snake. You will need minimal skills to use the tool, but it can clear stubborn clogs.
If you don’t have the right equipment for the job, you can call your trusted plumber for drain cleaning. Professional plumbers can unclog even the most stubborn drains.