Clogged sinks are one of the most frustrating problems that homeowners can have. It seems like they happen out of nowhere, and you’re left with a sink full of dirty dishes and no way to get rid of them. A variety of different things can cause clogging and before you have a plumbing emergency on your hands, it’s nice to know of some ways you might be able to unclog the sink yourself. The most common cause is the accumulation of debris in your pipes, which can be caused by hair and soap scum to food particles that have been washed down the drain. In addition, roots from trees or plants can grow through sewer lines over time and clog them up. Sinks hence become obstructed due to the accumulation of this in your drainpipes or on top. Sinks can clog for all sorts of reasons, and it’s important to know how to unclog a sink. There are many methods that you can use, but we’ll show you the best six here.
1)Plunge Method:
The plunger is one of the most common ways people try to unclog their sinks. Simply insert your plunger into the drain hole and push up and down repeatedly until water starts draining again. This method works well with clogs that aren’t too severe, but if your sink continues to be slow or doesn’t start draining at all, this is not going to work as well as some other methods on this list.
2) Chemical Method.
One way you can unclog your sink is with chemical drain cleaners. These are strong chemicals that will eat through most anything, but they can cause significant damage to the environment and corrode metal pipes if not used correctly. To use this method, you’ll need gloves, goggles, old clothes (you might get splattered), a bucket for water runoff, and a towel for drying. Then you’ll pour the entire bottle of chemical down your sink and follow that with a bucket or two of boiling water. You may need to repeat this method multiple times if it doesn’t work on the first try.
This method is time-consuming and can be difficult depending on what caused your clog in the first place. If you have a lot of hair or other substances in your sink, this method will not work either. The best way to prevent clogs from happening again in the future is by using filters on both your drains and toilets, though if there’s something horrible down there like lots of grease or food particles, it might not be enough.
3) Aspirator Method:
You can easily unclog your sink using a vacuum cleaner. This method is especially effective if you have an old or cheap plunger, and it’s also pretty easy. Just attach the hose attachment to the end of your vacuum cleaner, and then insert that where your drain meets the sink. Then turn on the suction and watch whatever is clogging your drain be sucked into the vacuum. This method works well for smaller objects like hair, but if you’re having trouble getting everything out, then it might help to use a plunger first before using this method. The main downside with this method is that it can be pretty loud, especially if you have a smaller vacuum cleaner. If the noise bothers your roommates or family, then this might not be an ideal solution for you.
4) Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
If you want to unclog your sink using natural materials, then this method is perfect for the job. You’ll need a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. To start off, pour about half a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by just enough vinegar to create a bubbling reaction. Then you’ll want to wait at least one hour (longer if needed), and your sink should be clog-free. If the response doesn’t work, then you may have used too much vinegar or not enough baking soda, but feel free to experiment with this method a few times until it works. The main drawback of this method is that it might take a while, and you’ll need to be around for the whole process. Also, there’s no guarantee that this method will work every time so if you’re having difficulties, feel free to check out some of our other options. This is one of the cheapest methods on our list, which makes it great for those on a budget or looking for an environmentally-friendly solution.
5) Canned Air Method
To use this method, you’ll need a can of compressed air and some plastic tubing. First, insert one end of the tube where your drain meets the sink, making sure it’s pushed as far down as possible. Then you’ll insert the other end where your sink meets the wall and make sure it’s pushed in as much as is comfortable for you to use what comes out of there. Then blast air into one end until whatever is clogging your drain gets blown up and then goes through into that tube before coming out the other end. This is another great method for those who have drains that are really far away from where they can get to, and it’s also simple enough, so you don’t need any special skill sets. The main downside with this method is if whatever caused your clog in the first place doesn’t come out easily, like hair or food, then it might be difficult to get everything out. This is a great option for those who don’t have a plunger or are looking for an environmentally-friendly solution since no chemicals will be used.
6) Plumber’s Snake Method
This method works by taking a plumbers snake and inserting it into where your drain meets the sink. Then you’ll need to work it through until whatever is blocking your drain comes out, pulling all that material back out with the snake. Sometimes this method will take a long time, so make sure you give yourself enough time to get everything completely cleared. The main downside of this option is that if whatever was blocking your drain comes back, it might be difficult for you to keep trying something like this as a solution but feel free to experiment until you find something that works for you. This is a great option if your sink seems to be blocked up all the time, and it’s also one of our more expensive options on the list. However, this method will provide you with peace of mind since no chemicals or damages to your pipes might occur, meaning you won’t have any long-term issues. This is another option for those who are looking to unclog their sink with minimal effort and skill, but it’s important to take care of your drain, so you don’t have the same problem again in the future.
