Repair & Maintenance: 9 Ways to Unclog a Sink – Quincy
Any experienced cook will tell you that sometimes things can get messy in the kitchen. As such, there is a good chance undesirable things could build up in your piping over time. A clogged sink is something you don’t want to happen in your home. It can be irritating having to unclog a sink without properly knowing how to. Plus, it can make you feel helpless with water backing up, and a stack of dirty dishes waiting to be washed.
The first thing that crosses your mind is to call a plumber, but you should consider some DIY projects that can unclog your sink first. Fortunately, some ways are easy to do and require very few materials. Note that these methods can counter generally every clogged sink. However, if your sink is still backed up afterward, you may want to call a plumber. Still, the do-it-yourself ways can be effective in the long-run.
Boiling Water
One of the most traditional ways to unclog a sink is to pour boiling water into the sink and wait. It’s the easiest and the cheapest, which is why it’s in the first place on the list, and the first one to consider. The process is the easiest, plus it often works on many types of stoppage.
It’s important that the water placed on the kettle or pot is brought to a rolling boil. Then, pour the entire container with hot water into the sink. Sometimes, the blockage doesn’t move, so you’re going to need to repeat the process. In that case, let the water cool, remove it, and try it again. You may need to pour boiling water into your sink more than once to move the clog.
Quincy Unclog Your Sink
Check Your Garbage Disposal – Unclog a Sink – Quincy
If you’re one to have a garbage disposal, you might want to check it. Sometimes the garbage disposal is the one that’s causing the problem. Disposals can be clogged if they aren’t running correctly. In that case, run the disposal to see if that clears the clog. If the clog doesn’t go down, it means that the disposal may be overheated; so you need to flip the switch that’s found on the unit.
Salt & Boiling Water
This method is as easy. You just need to pour the boiling water alone in your sink. This time, salt is poured into the drain before the hot water. To be exact, ½ cup of table salt is required. Let it sit a few minutes before adding boiling water. The boiling water mixing with the salt is supposed to clear the mixture the causes the clog.
Vinegar & Baking Soda – Unclog a Sink – Quincy
A mix of vinegar and bacon soda can never go wrong. Baking soda and vinegar are well known to form a strong cleaning agent. Only a cup or so of baking soda is needed to pour into the drain. It’s important to remove all standing water before trying any unclogging method. Next, pour the same amount of vinegar (white or apple cider) down the drain right after the baking soda.
A solution will form and bubble, but quickly subside. Put the stopper in and wait around 15 minutes for the solution to do its thing. To see if the clog clears, run hot water. Again, if the stoppage isn’t gone then you might need to repeat the process.
Baking Soda & Salt
Just like vinegar and baking soda, a mixture of baking soda and salt is a great cleaning solution. This combination is also used as a whitening agent on day to day things. However, the process is different because the ingredients are mixed instead of poured one after the other. Additionally, there is a little more wait time.
This mixture requires one cup of baking soda and half-cup of salt. Mix them in a small container and pour down the drain. Let the solution sit for about three hours, and then flush with boiling water. Repeat if needed.
Plunger – Unclog a Sink – Quincy
While a common household plunger is generally used for toilets, it can work just as well on a sink. If the combinations of baking soda don’t work, using a plunger can turn out successful. Using a plunger can be tricky if you don’t know what exactly to do. It’s not as simple as using it on a toilet and you can end up in an even bigger mess.
How to Unclog a Quincy Drain
If you have a double sink, make sure to seal off the second side with a stopper first. A tight seal is needed around the plunger, so fill the side of the sink you intend to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. Now plunge roughly several times.
P-trap
Sometimes a clog in a sink is farther down than anticipated. Consequently, it could be time to check your kitchen drain’s P-trap. The P-trap is at the curve of the drainpipe under the sink. You have to be prepared for spills so wear gloves if necessary and place a bucket underneath the drain. Loosen the P-trap from the pipe to clear out any debris that is stuck. After cleaning out the area, tighten it back and run water through it.
Plumber’s Snake – Unclog a Sink – Quincy
A plumber’s snake can clear clogs that are further down the drain. Also known as an auger, the tool comes in handy for the deepest clogs that run underneath the kitchen sink. Nevertheless, you’ll have to disassemble the drain pipe and take out the P-trap to expose the stub pipe behind the cabinet wall. The key is to find this pipe and insert the snake into the pipe, and push until the clog breaks up.
Coat Hanger
A coat hanger can be used in the case you don’t have a plumbers snake and there’s no time to go out and buy one. Sadly, it won’t reach as far as a plumber’s snake would so some clogs can be hard to catch. It needs to be straightened so it can fit well in the drain. Insert it into the kitchen drain to push or pull (as needed) out the blockage. Be careful not to scratch your sink with the wire.
There are certainly many ways to keep your sink unclogged, but of course, it’s simpler just to avoid clogs in the first place. When you’re disposing of wastes, it’s better to dispose of them outside of the sink. Be wary of what is thrown down the drain and make sure you run plenty of water after each use. Additionally, knowing how to maintain and care for all your home’s systems can keep things running smoothly and avoid problems.
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