How to Unclog a Sink

Many sink blockages develop slowly over time. You will notice that the drain takes longer and longer to remove the water when you wash your hands, brush your teeth or perform other routine tasks. Other clogs develop suddenly, such as if you put potato peels down the garbage disposal. Regardless of the type of clog you’re dealing with, you can save the day when you know how to unclog a sink.

Why It’s Important to Address Sink Clogs Quickly

Something as simple as a few strands of hair can begin the formation of a sink clog. While the water may flow smoothly down the drain at first, water is increasingly impeded as the clog grows over time.

Eventually, the clog will turn into a complete blockage, and water will not be able to flow down the drain at all. This can lead to an overflow and water damage. Even with a partial clog, leaving the water faucet on for too long can result in an overflow. In addition, a blockage prevents you from using the sink again until the drain is cleaned.

Common Causes of Sink Clogs

Sink clogs are an unfortunately common problem. One reason for this is because of the many items that can form to create a clog. Some of these are:

• Hair
• Food grease and oil
• Food debris
• Body oils
• Soap residue
• Toothpaste
• Foreign objects

DIY Methods to Unclog a Sink

While calling a plumber for drain cleaning service is a surefire way to remove a clog, plumbing costs can be expensive. The good news is that there are many ways to remove a clog yourself.

Boiling Water Technique

When grease and oil congeal to create a clog, simply melting the gunk will remove the blockage. Once the blockage has melted, it will wash cleanly down the pipe.

To avoid overflowing the drain, do not use the faucet. Instead, pour a pot of boiling water into the sink.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Solution

Another option is to use is baking soda and vinegar. This solution works best for cleaning a partially clogged drain rather than a completely clogged drain. Once the standing water has cleared the sink, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain.

If necessary, remove the drain cover to more easily reach the clog. Then, slowly pour white vinegar into the sink. These two ingredients create a chemical reaction that breaks down soap residue, grease and oil.

Plunger Method

If you’re dealing with a significant blockage, try using your plunger. A plunger uses suction power to loosen the clog, and this may allow it to pass through the drain.

Place the rubber part of the plunger over the drain, creating a tight seal. Then, push and pull the plunger handle up and down rapidly several times without breaking the seal. You may need to repeat this process a few times to produce the desired result.

Manual Removal with a Drain Snake or Zip-It Tool

If the plunger method isn’t successful, you can wind a drain snake or Zip-It tool down the drain. These devices will latch onto the clog, allowing you to pull the debris out of the drain.

Cleaning the P-Trap

If you’re feeling handy, you can remove the P-trap. The P-trap is the curved pipe underneath your sink. Using a wrench, loosen the P-trap on both ends. It’s helpful to have a bucket placed below the pipe to catch water.

Once the P-trap is removed, use a drain snake or unfolded coat hanger to push out the clog. When reattaching the pipe, ensure that it is tightly fastened. Run water through the pipe for several minutes to look for signs of leakage.

FAQs

What is the fastest way to unclog a sink?

The fastest way to unclog a sink is to use a drain snake. This method only takes a minute or two. The other methods, including the boiling water method, the plunger method and the baking soda and vinegar method can be completed within a few minutes.

What should I do if none of the DIY methods work?

If these methods are not successful, it may be time to call a plumber. Often, stubborn clogs are caused by a foreign object lodged in the pipe, or the clog may be deeper in the pipe. The plumber can use imaging and hydro-jetting techniques to clean the pipe.

How often should I clean my sink drain to prevent clogs?

A new clog starts developing as soon as you remove the old clog. Each time you use the sink, things like body oil, soap and more will accumulate. You can easily keep your drain clean by pouring boiling water down it every week or two.

While some clogs are bound to develop no matter what steps you take to prevent them, many clogs can be prevented by cleaning the sinks and drains regularly. You can conveniently stay on top of all of your cleaning chores by letting our team at Cleanzen do the work for you. Contact us today to schedule affordable cleaning services in Boston.