A clogged sink drain can be a frustrating and inconvenient problem. But before you reach for the phone to call a plumber, try these tried-and-true methods to fix the problem yourself. In the event that you cannot, because sometimes it cannot be fixed, then a plumber from Adelaide can assist you.
Pour about a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. The combination will create a bubbling reaction that loosens clogs. Then, flush with boiling water.
Plunger
If hair, soap scum and food residue have built up on the sides of the drain pipe or the rod that moves the sink stopper up and down, try using needle-nose pliers or a metal coat hanger bent into a hook to grab some of the blockage. This might clear the clog enough to allow plunging.
The best tool for clearing most drain clogs is the humble plunger. Using the forces of hydraulic suction and compression, this manual device can dislodge many blockages without damaging pipes. Choose a plunger with a cup that matches the size of your sink drain opening.
If the clog is deeper than the pipe leading out of your sink or if you have PVC pipes, use a drain snake. Thread one end of the snake into the sink stub-out drain and crank the handle to feed it down the drainpipe, corkscrewing through any obstructions. Repeat until the clog is removed.
Drain Snake
A drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake or auger is a long metal cable that looks similar to a corkscrew with an end that is used to break up and remove blockages in your sink or toilet. It is operated by a crank that when turned slowly pushes the snake down through the drain pipe.
When the snake meets resistance or encounters a blockage, you can turn the handle to rotate its head and try to dislodge the obstruction. Once the clog is broken up or removed, you can pull out the snake, minimizing the mess under your sink.
If you are able to successfully unclog your sink drain with the snake, be sure to run plenty of warm water through the pipes to flush the system. You may need to reassemble your P-trap and run some warm water down the drain as well to ensure that everything is clear. If you are unsuccessful, it may be time to call a professional plumber.
Wire Coat Hanger
Using a wire coat hanger to fish out a sink drain clog has been an extremely effective strategy for many people, especially when the clog is caused by hair. Simply straighten out a coat hanger and bend one end to create a hook. Push this hook down into the clogged drain, and wiggle it around until it feels like it’s catching on to something. This can dislodge lots of gunk and hair, and the clogged material
will come up with the hook.
If the above methods aren’t working, try pouring boiling water down the drain. Boiling water can help dissolve softer build-ups like soap scum and cooking grease, which often get stuck in drains. Just remember that you should always use caution when handling caustic chemicals (like Sodium Hydroxide), as they can cause chemical burns. Always use rubber gloves and eye protection when dealing with caustic chemicals.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are nontoxic, natural ingredients that are cheap and readily available. The simple chemical reaction that occurs when these two pantry staples are combined creates carbon dioxide, which sends bubbles through your drain clog to break up whatever is causing it. This fizzy reaction is followed by a pot of boiling water, which loosens and flushes the loosened debris from your pipes.
To try this at home, first sprinkle one cup of baking soda down your drain. Wait for a few minutes and then pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain. You should see a foaming, volcanic reaction occur; cover the drain with a rag to keep the reaction contained and avoid splashing.
The resulting bubbling action works just as well as store-bought chemical drain cleaners, without the harsh, corrosive chemicals that can damage your pipes. For serious clogs, however, you may need to repeat this process several times before your sink is fully unclogged.
