About Unclogging a Sink

Any plumbing system will develop clogs with regular use. Over time, the gradual accumulation food remains, cleaning supplies, and natural fibers will begin to block the flow of water and clog the sink. However, you can often fix a stopped-up sink on your own with a few proven techniques. Read on to learn how.

Effects

Food particles are the number one cause of most clogged kitchen sinks. Rinsing plates, bowls, pots, and pans in your sink directly results in small amounts of food being washed down the drain. Dish soap and cleaning supply residue that does not rinse away completely tends to accumulate in layers over the gunk that usually coats the inside of the drain pipes. If left to build over a long period of time, this accumulation may become severe enough to require professional assistance for removal.

Prevention/Solution

If your sink drain is just sluggish, this indicate that a clog is beginning to form, or that the sink's vent is blocked. A chemical drain cleaner from your local hardware or home supply store may be used to clear away the clog. A wide variety of specialized products are available, which range widely in effectiveness as well as strength of treatment. Plunge the drain pipe at the fixture after using the drain cleaner.

Considerations

Instead of buying a commercial formulation, one inexpensive yet often effective method for handling a clogged sink involves the use of baking soda and vinegar. Heat up ½ cup of vinegar in the microwave, to help it interact more effectively with the baking soda. Pour one cup of baking soda down the clogged drain followed by the hot vinegar. Let this mixture sit in the drain for about fifteen minutes. Pour at least two quarts of boiling water down the drain to rinse away the vinegar and baking soda from the pipes. Plunge the drain pipe at the fixture. Several of these treatments may be necessary depending on the length of time since the drains were last cleaned, and how severely it is clogged.

Features

You may also use professional plumbing tools to unclog your sink. The most popular and commonly used tool is the hand snake (also called a drain auger). The snake has a thick, flexible wire that is designed to bend and follow the curves of the drain pipes as you push it down the drain. The end that enters the drain is designed to grind and chew away at the blockage to dislodge it. When using the hand snake, wearing gloves will give you a better grip and protect your hands.

Warning

When using chemical formulations, you must always follow the manufacturers directions, and take any precautions indicated. These chemicals are typically highly corrosive.

Resources

• How to unclog a sink naturally
• How to snake a clogged sink