What Is The Best Method To Unclog A Sink?

What is the best method to unclog a sink? The sink is a vital attribute of the kitchen and bathroom. If a clog appears in the sink’s drainage, you are in big trouble. You have to take immediate action to dislodge the sink and get it functional again. Luckily, a clogged sink is one of the drainage issues that you can fix on your own. But what DIY method is the best? Read on to find out the answer.

How to dislodge the sink on your own?

While it seems a complicated issue that only a plumber can deal with, a clogged sink is an easy repair. You can clear out the drainage pretty well on your own if you have the needed tools at hand. The good news is that you don’t need professional plumber tools to unclog the sink. You can do it with simple equipment and products readily available in any household. Here are the most effective ones.

1. Boiling water

When a clog forms in the sink drainage, attack it immediately with boiling water. Sometimes boiling water is enough to loosen the residue. Other times, you have to combine it with baking soda and vinegar or salt to remove the clog. Fill a kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Pour it slowly onto the sink opening, then turn on the faucet.

If after the first try the water stands still or drains at a slow pace, go on the second round. If the second attempt also leads to no results, try another method. Boiling water is not always effective against stubborn clogs. There are more powerful tools out there that can combat tough blockages. Another disadvantage of boiling water is that it is not safe to use on PVC pipes.

High temperatures can melt or reshape the plastic.

2. Plunger

The plunger is the most popular tool for dislodging sinks, tubs, and toilets. The forces of suction and compression it uses can go a long way in unclogging your sink. But to get the best results, you have to use the tool properly. Half-fill the sink with hot water. Place the plunger on the sink opening so that it creates an airtight seal.

Press down and pull up a couple of times. Remove the plunger and watch the behavior of the water. If it drains rapidly, congratulations, the clog has disappeared. If the water stands still or drains slowly, perform some more push-pull strokes. There is a high chance you are just one step away from loosening the blockage completely. So never lose hope after the unsuccessful first try.

3. Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are a great alternative to commercial sink dislodging chemicals. They are less harmful to pipes and are pretty effective at breaking down clogs. Begin by collecting all the standing water from the sink. Now that the sink is empty, pour baking soda into the drain. One cup will be enough. Later you will add more if needed.

The next step is to pour one cup of vinegar into the sink opening. Seal the opening with the stopper and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes. Then, remove the stopper and pour boiling water down the drain. If the mixture has not broken down the clog completely, repeat the process. If your sink links to PVC pipes, use hot water instead of boiling one to prevent plastic damage.

4. Baking soda and salt

You can use salt instead of vinegar. It will also generate a chemical reaction that can loosen the clog. Stir together 1/2 cup each of baking soda and salt. Pour the mixture into the sink opening and let sit for 15 minutes.

Then run hot tap water down the drain. Boiling water will also do the trick. Check how well the water drains. If it drains slower than you expected, pour some more mixture. If it doesn’t help either, turn to drain snake, if you have one, or call the plumber.

5. Drain snake

While drain snake is a specialized tool from the plumber’s kit, any homeowner can use it on their own. The drain snake is the worst nightmare of any type of clog. Whether it’s a small and light blockage or a large and stubborn one, this powerful tool will crush them. What you have to do is to insert the snake into the drain.

Keep pushing it down the drain, using handle rotations, until it finds the clog. Crank the handle of the snake to catch the clog and pull it out of the drain. If the water keeps standing, chances are there is another clog further down the pipe. Repeat the process until the water starts to drain easily.

If you don’t have a drain snake handy, you can make one from a wire hanger. Use pliers to transform the hanger into a straight piece of wire. Keep the end hooked as it will help you to catch the clog. Push the makeshift snake down the drain slowly and carefully to prevent damaging the pipe with the sharp end.

What is the best method to unclog a sink?

When it comes to unclogging a sink, a plumber’s snake reigns supreme. It’s the best method because it’s effective against stubborn blockages and gives you total control over the situation. With baking soda, plunger, and boiling water you fight with the clog indirectly. If you use the snake, you can physically reach the clog and break it down or pull it up through the drain.

You can even apply some brute force to loosen the stubborn debris. This helps the plumber’s snake to deal with all kinds of clogs. Even the toughest, oldest, and the biggest clog is doomed to give up under the snake’s power.

What Is The Best Method To Unclog A Sink? – Bottom line

There are several DIY methods to unclog a sink. Boiling water, baking soda & vinegar mixture, and plunger are effective against clogs of low and medium severity. When it comes, though, to big and stubborn clogs, you have to use a drain snake. This is the most powerful dislodging tool you may find at home unless you have an automatic drain auger.

We hope you enjoyed and learned something from this article – “What Is The Best Method To Unclog A Sink?” Good luck!