Simple Ways to Unclog Your Sink with Household Items without Calling a Plumber

Do you have a clogged sink and no plumber on speed dial? That’s okay, because we’ve all been there before. Having a clogged sink is an unfortunate but common problem. It usually happens when you least expect it and can be extremely frustrating. Luckily there are many simple ways to unclog your sink with household items that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. If your sink is clogged, the first thing to try is plunging it with a plunger or something similar. This also works for drains that are partially clogged where you can see debris caught in the drain trap. Some of these methods may seem obvious, but trust us — they work! Here are some easy ways to unclog your sink without calling a plumber…

Dish Soap

Dish soap is a great all-around cleaner, so it makes sense that it would be useful for unclogging sinks too! Just pour a little of your favourite brand down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes before you run some hot water. This will act as a gentle solvent, helping break up any gunk that’s blocking your pipes. Be careful not to use too much soap, though, as it can create suds that can build up and clog your sink even more.

Salt and Baking Soda

Baking soda may seem like an odd choice for cleaning dishes, but it makes an excellent cleaner for your clogged sink too. Pour a small amount of baking soda down your clogged sink, then follow up with a small amount of salt. The baking soda will help to break up the clog, and the salt will work as a gentle abrasive to finish the job. Make sure you flush the sink with water after the gunk has been broken up, otherwise it might leave a nasty taste in your water.

Vinegar

We’ve already mentioned how great vinegar is at cleaning a variety of things around the house (and our bodies!), so it’s not a huge surprise to see it on our list of ways to unclog a sink. Pour a small amount of vinegar down your drain and let it sit for a few minutes before flushing it with hot water. As with the dish soap, the vinegar will help break up the clog and make it easier to remove.

Plunging with a Plunger and Drain Snake

If the clog is in the trap under the sink, plunging with a plunger may be the quickest and easiest way to unclog it. A plunger works by creating a seal that forces the water in your pipes out. To make sure your pipes don’t get damaged, avoid plunging too long or too hard. You can also use a drain snake or a plumbers snake, which is basically a long flexible wire with a hook on the end. Just insert the hook into your drain and move it around to break up the clog.

Using a Hanger and Shower Head

If the clog is further down in your pipes, you’ll need to use a different method of clearing it out. Just like the plunger, you want to apply pressure to the water in your pipes to remove the clog. One simple way to do this is with a hanger and a shower head. First, remove the shower head and open the faucet all the way. Then, place the hanger over the end of the faucet so that the hook hangs down into the sink drain. Turn on the water and let the pressure from the running water push the clog out. Another option is to use a shop vac to clear the clog. Just be sure to place a bucket beneath the clog to catch any debris that may be flushed out.

Conclusion

Hopefully one of these methods will help you unclog your sink. If not, and the clog is very severe, you may want to call a plumber. Not only can a clogged sink be a pain, but it can also cause damage to your pipes if it’s not taken care of quickly. If you want to avoid clogged drains in the future, you should make sure you’re disposing of food properly. You should never pour grease down the drain because it will collect in your pipes and cause clogs. You can dispose of grease by scraping it into a container and throwing it in the garbage can.