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How To Unclog Sinks?
There is nothing more frustrating than having to wash your dishes in the sink and see that the water doesn’t seem to drain. And when water isn’t draining, you’ll have an accumulated pool of oils, grease, and even small bits of leftovers. So what is the cause of this?
“What is a clogged sink” you may ask.
A clogged sink is when there is an obstruction, usually in the pipes or P-trap, that prevents water and waste residue from sinking through. When a sink is clogged and water isn’t draining, it is a recipe for health and hygienic risk factors as well as an indicator that there is something wrong with the plumbing.
So, when there are indications that you might have a clogged sink, it is important to unclog it right away. It’s quite ideal to unclog your sink every month. Here are a few safe and effective ways how to unclog a sink.
1. Exercise Preventive Measures
It’s best to prevent your sinks from getting clogged. Here are some solutions you can consider:
- Invest in a drain strainer. It’s a little tool that is inserted in the drain. It basically traps the solid particles so that they can be easily disposed of later.
- When cleaning pans, avoid disposing of oil or grease into the drain. Oil is a viscose substance that can actually clump and solidify in the long run.
- For bathroom sinks, take care not to leave any stray hairs in the drain. Hair is another cause of clogged sinks and drains. If you think there are hair strands in your drain, try to remove them with a plumbing snake or a plunger.
2. Hot Water
Believe it or not, the most common culprits of a clogged sink are when oil residue and leftover particles that stick together and form a mass of sorts. A quick and simple solution how to clear sink choke is by using hot water. Hot water, in general, dissolves and softens anything it comes in contact with.
Simply boil some water and pour it directly into your sink drain. After a few minutes, turn on your faucet and see if the water drains. You may need to repeat the process if there is little improvement.
3. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Did you know that even the most ordinary household items like vinegar and baking soda can be mixed to create an all-natural cleaning solution that many homeowners in Singapore learn? Especially if they want to know how to clear a sink choke when they don’t have drain cleaners. Many homeowners employ the usage of drain cleaners that have harsh chemicals that could easily tarnish your sink or even corrode it.
Baking soda and vinegar are a lot less harmful. To unclog your sink, start by making sure your sink drain is dry. Pour one cup of baking soda into the drain. Next, pour one cup of vinegar into the drain. You will notice that it will give off a reaction that serves as a dissolvent. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. Afterward, let hot water run into the drain.
4. Liquid Drainers
You can never go wrong with using liquid drainers. Drainers like Liquid Plumr are designed to dissolve and clean your clogged-up sink. Simply follow the instructions in the Liquid drainer and pour it on the drain.
After a few minutes, pour hot water and try to listen if the sink drains. However, while liquid drainers are guaranteed to unclog your sink, be extra careful as these liquid drainers have specific chemicals and could easily be hazardous to everyone inside, most especially to children. Make sure you store the liquid drainers in a safe place away from children’s reach. Ensure as well that after using the liquid drainer, you keep it shut tightly.
5. Plunger
A plumber’s all-important tool, the plunger can come in pretty handy if you don’t have drain cleaners on hand. If you don’t know how to unclog sinks using chemicals, then using a plunger to loosen the obstruction might do the trick.
Simply put the plunger on top of the sink and move it up and down. The plunger will suck up the air in the drain, loosening up the clog until it either drains through the sink or rises.
6. Plumbing Snake
While the name may sound slithery, it’s simply a tool that comprises a long, flexible metal cable with a cone-shaped auger. What it does is that it goes through the drain and hits the obstruction. It is then moved around until it dislodges on its own. This is an effective method that is often employed when there are solid particles that are still lodged in the drain.
What makes the plumbing snake unique is that it can reach parts of the drain that can’t normally be reached. It can also pull out the obstruction, clearing the drain. If you don’t have a plumbing snake, you can use a long thick wire and shape the end of it.
7. When In Doubt, Hire a Professional
If you have tried all of these and it’s still a persistent problem, then it’s time to consult and hire professionals. It’s best to hire a licensed plumber. If you live in an HDB, you can consult with the property manager for a list of accredited plumbers. This is to ensure that the plumber inspecting your plumbing is familiar with how it is constructed and how to fix it without compromising it.
You can also consult with professional plumbers to inspect your drain and see what is causing your sink to clog. Take care to choose plumbers who have the right amount of experience and who can guarantee your sink is unclogged and easy to maintain.
And perhaps the most important thing to know when you want to learn how to clear sink choke is to adopt the habit of including your sink’s maintenance when you clean your space. Just because your sink is constantly exposed to water, it doesn’t guarantee that all the residue clogged up will drain easily. Once you master these tips, unclogging a sink would be like a walk in the park.
It’s helpful to know that providing regular maintenance to our drains helps us avoid major clogs. I visited my sister’s house last weekend and noticed that her bathroom sink was clogged, and I tried to fix it, but it didn’t work out, so I’ll suggest she looks for a professional plumber, as you mentioned. Thank you for the tips on working with an experienced plumber to check your drains and unclog them.
Unclogging a sink can be a real hassle, but your tips on using a plunger and vinegar-baking soda combo are a lifesaver! Thanks for sharing these straightforward solutions for a common household issue