Save Yourself from the Wrath of a Clogged Sink with These 5 Best Ever Home Remedies

15th Mar, 2018 | SDP Staff

I always run into the most common plumbing problem, “How to fix a clogged sink?”

And I’m quite sure you must have also encountered this distressing situation. In my opinion, it’s a universal issue!

The thing is I ain’t good at do it yourself plumbing nor wish to get my hands dirty trying to fix a clogged sink.

That said, I realized that it’s my laziness that has bore fruits.

Even you’ll understand that the sink doesn’t clog all of a sudden.

It gives you Sureshot signs like draining slowly at first…

However, there are plumbing problems like a leaky faucet that can be put on hold until you take out time to fix it on your own or hire a plumbing company near you.

But for problems like a clogged sink, you need to be diligent and proactive.

Put on your thinking cap and see if you can figure out why is your sink clogged?

Did you dump something in the sink which was supposed to go in the bin?

Knowing the causes of clogged sink in the first place will help you prevent it.

So What Causes Clogged Sink?

Undissolved food particles are generally the cause of a clogged sink.

Washing plates in the sink and flushing food particles down the drain accumulate the food particles overtime.

Food like rice expands in water and if it gets collected can clog the sink.

Just like food particles, chunks of fruits or their peels, if allowed through the sink, can clog it.

Some even pour oil and all the greasy stuff in the sink. It creates a sticky layer in the inner lining of the pipe which is tough to get rid of. Tiny objects like nails or toys can get stuck in the drain.

Detergent or soap scum builds up on the inner side of drain pipes and clogs it.

While some things like soap and detergent can’t be avoided, you can definitely avoid the others.

5 Super Helpful Ways to Fix a Clogged Sink

Commercial drain cleaners contain hazardous chemicals and emit toxic fumes. Using them around kids and pets isn’t safe.

Experts recommend that most of the clogged sinks do not require calling a pro. It can be unclogged easily with these simple DIY methods.

So why not try them?

1. Clean the Pipe

I never prefer cleaning the pipe by myself but if that is the only way to fix a clogged sink, I need to go for it.

This is how I do it.

Remove the pipe from the sink and empty it in a garbage bag.
Wash it thoroughly and if required use hot water to clean it better.
Attach the pipe back in the sink.

It stinks so badly that I swore I would never dump anything down the drain again!

2. Hot Water Treatment

This method can be used for minor clogs.

Pour extremely hot water in the sink followed by a dollop of detergent.
Then pour some more hot water and use a plunger.
Pour water once again, wait for a few minutes, and your drain will be clear.

#QuickNote

Water, either hot or cold, isn’t a solvent and you can’t expect it to dissolve plastic or metal objects that you have thrown down the drain!

3. Vinegar and Baking Soda

You can easily find these ingredients in your pantry.

Pour boiling water in the sink and wait for two to three minutes.
Then put a cup of baking soda in the sink and let it sit for a few minutes.
Make a mixture of one cup vinegar and the same quantity of hot water and pour it in the sink.
Wait for 10 minutes to let the cleanser react. It will loosen all the sludge in the drain.
Flush the sink with boiling water.

#DIYTip
The best part is that you can use this as a maintenance remedy once a month. You don’t have to wait for a clogged sink.

4. Salt and Baking Soda

Baking soda and salt can work wonders for your clogged drain.

Put a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt down the drain and leave it overnight.
Do not use the sink during this period.
Pour a few cups of boiling water in the morning and wait for a few minutes.
Then rinse with hot water.

5. Metal Wire Hanger or Drain Snake

Put one end of the drain snake into the drain and keep pushing it until the snake resists going further. It can break some clogs. Flush them down with water.

You can also pull up some clogs. After that run extremely hot water for a minute to let the clog clear up.

Some snakes can also fit on the electric drills which makes them more powerful to go down the drain.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a drain snake, you can unbend a metal wire hanger and try pulling out the things and debris that have clogged the drain.

But the metal wire hanger won’t be as effective as the drain snake and it won’t reach deep enough.

5 Preventive Measure to Avoid Sink Clogs

It’s always better to take preventive measures rather than suffer the consequences.

Use a sink strainer to strain out kitchen garbage or small items into the sink.
Do not put coffee grinds or egg-shells in the sink.
Paper towels or bits of papers don’t get dissolved and shouldn’t be thrown in the sink.
Paints, solvents, nail polish remover or nail polish shouldn’t be poured down the drain.
Toxic chemicals, motor oils, transmission fluids can accumulate in the pipe and damage it.

If a clogged drain is a consistent issue, then it is better to contact a professional to look into the matter.

A professional plumber can determine if the drain line was correctly designed and installed.

You can visit Same Day Pros to get a list of the best plumbers near you. Alternatively, you can also download the Same Day Pros app and locate a plumber already working in your neighborhood.