Clogged drains are not only unsanitary and smelly, but they can cause health risks if you ignore them. If you’ve got a sink at home that’s refusing to flush, don’t sweat! Read on for a number of simple DIY fixes, along with some instructional videos for you to follow. If you’ve got a stubborn block, we’ve also featured a couple of Nowra plumbing professionals who will be happy to help.
Unclogging A Blocked Sink At Home
Plunging
Using a small sink plunger combined with some elbow grease, you can remove your blockage instantly. Fill up your sink with enough water that your plunger is submerged (be sure to clog your overflow drain if you have one). Then cover the drain with the plunger and begin pushing and pulling until the clog is removed.
See below for a more visual guide:
Video courtesy—AGoodPlumberllc (YouTube)
Here’s an example of a small sink plunger that would be prefect for the job.
Baking Soda & Vinegar Solution
Boil 2 litres of water, then place it to the side so it can cool. Now pour 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of vinegar down your drain. Pour the 2 litres of hot water (not boiling, as this may crack your ceramic) into the sink to clear away the blockage. Finish by letting the tap run which will away any excess solution.
See the below video for an example:
Video courtesy—Nick Pratt (YouTube)
Remember—always wear gloves and safety goggles when mixing and pouring these substances
Coat Hanger Snake
Start by unwinding a metal wire coat hanger, until you’re left with one long and straight prodding tool. Then duct tape a bit of material to one end, so it doesn’t scratch your sink. Put the end of the coat hanger with the material down the sink and see if you can feel the obstruction. If you can feel something, try hooking it and pulling it out. Otherwise, you can try a pushing and pulling technique until it comes loose.
Check out the video below for a guide:
Video courtesy—EducateTube.com (YouTube)
Is Your Drainage Sluggish Or Slow?
A slow drain could be due to a partial block. Try flushing it with the baking soda and vinegar solution we mentioned above and this should wash the partial blockage away—preventing a full blockage. Also, try including this baking soda and vinegar solution flush as part of your monthly bathroom and kitchen maintenance routines to keep your sinks running smoothly.
If you liked this plumbing article, check out some of our other tips:
- Take A Look At These Designer Sinks
- Electric Eel Or Jet Blasting: What’s Better?
- Adding A Water Feature To Your Home
- Detecting Water Leaks: Where & How
