Now and again, you may begin to realize that some of your appliances are not operating normally. The reasoning behind this could vary, but sometimes, it comes down to constant usage over time. Your sinks in your home are one such appliance that can become vulnerable to external sources of blockage.
When the inevitable clogging occurs, don’t call the plumber just yet. Depending on how weak the clogging is in your sink, you can use several techniques to clear it. Some of these tricks are easy to implement, while others require a bit more labour on your end. If you cannot solve the clogged sink on your own, calling a plumber may be your best bet.
Keep in mind the following tips to get your sink back in working order.
1. Baking Soda Solution
There is rarely a cleaning product available right now that is as multifaceted as baking soda. Once it is applied correctly, you can instantly fix any stubborn mark or mess. When coupled with other ingredients such as vinegar, the baking soda itself can properly unclog your sink. Grab some salt as well, in order to make the perfect solution.
Pour an equal amount of each ingredient down the sink’s drain, and then wait it out. Once twenty to thirty minutes have elapsed, pour some hot water down the drain as well. The resulting solution works to break up any compounds inside of the drain in question. If there is still clogging present, repeat the solution process until it is fully removed.
2. Wet and Dry Vacuum
One of the best cleaning products available on the market right now comes in the form of a wet and dry vacuum. Due in part to its two modes, you can use different suction methods to remove blockages inside of your sink.
First, set the vacuum to its wet mode and create a tight enough seal between the drain and the vacuum’s arm. Turn the device on, and you should be able to remove the blockage entirely fully!
3. Closet Auger
A straightforward plumbing trick with great success is a closet auger. Closet augers can be purchased at your local department store at a relatively low price. Find one with a good enough length too. A short closet auger may not work as intended.
If a closet auger is not readily available, try looking for an old clothes hanger. Straighten it out, and then create a makeshift hook near the end of one side. Now, you’ll have to physically fish the blockage out, allowing the hook to do its work. With a closet auger in tow, you have greater flexibility in its available reach.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Similar to the aforementioned baking soda solution, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent choice to use here. The chemical is a potent cleaning agent and can be mixed with a few other ingredients for maximum effect. Make sure that you put on a pair of gloves, however, and grab your eye goggles.
To make the solution, mix one cup of the chemical and one quart of water together. You should then pour the solution down the sink’s drain. Wait for about twenty minutes, and then check to see if the blockage is gone. If the chemical has broken through the impediments, it will have been successful.
5. Clearing the Trap
While you should only use this method in the last case scenario, it is still worth a shot. The trap, as it pertains to your sink, is the pipe located directly beneath the sink. Put a bucket below this pipe, grab a wrench, and loosen the nuts at both ends of the pipe.
After you remove it, throw out any contents within the pipe into the garbage. You’ll want to then rinse the pipe with warm water in order to fully clean it out. Should any blockages prove to be stubborn, scrub them out with an old toothbrush!
6. Plunger
One of the most accessible plumbing techniques has to do with the good old plunger. For optimal effect, you’ll want to use a relatively new plunger. An old plunger may not be as effective, especially if you have used it more than a few times on the toilet. Plus, it is much more hygienic to use as well.
7. Green Enzyme Cleaners
If hydrogen peroxide proves to be too much of a harmful substance to use, consider using this alternative. Green enzyme cleaners contain natural enzymes, which eat away at even the most stubborn blockages in your drain!
Clogging in your sink’s drain is bound to happen at some point, whether due to external or internal circumstances. Don’t let this dissuade you, however. With the right equipment behind you, you will be able to eliminate those pesky blockages in due time!
