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How to unblock a sink: Causes explained with proper management tips

Require professional tips on how to unblock a sink? You are at the right place. Emergency Plumber London is a special platform that experiences well in fixing drainage problems, besides plumbing issues.

We understand how annoying you may feel by looking at a blocked sink. But, worry not - whether food remnants or stuck hair strands, we have the best way to fix blocked sink. Read below to know.

About Sink blockages

If a bad smell drifts from your drain, with the sludge moving slowly, it denotes serious blockages down in the water line. Additionally, the sink may overflow with toxic water (if it gets too late).

Below, we have mentioned some easy home methods to unblock different sinks. These can help prevent serious issues in future.

But, before that, it is necessary to prepare yourself. Here are some tips that can help you.

  • Wear strong rubber gloves for protection.
  • Consider wearing a protective eyewear and facemask to guard the face against potential harmful fumes and splashes.
  • Do not try anything if you are unsure about the right method.

Take special note of the last point. Unclogging the sink in the wrong way can damage your pipes, leading to graver problems. Call up our emergency plumber in such a case.    

Blocked Sinks: What are the common causes?

When it comes to drainage issues, Emergency Plumber London follows the mantra, ‘‘Prevention is better than cure’’. Serving domestic clients for over several years, some of the most common causes of blocked sinks we have seen are:

  1. Letting food scraps go down kitchen sinks: Disposing of tiny food remnants in your kitchen sink is always a poor practice. The particles can jam your drain, gradually building up to create major blockages that are difficult to remove with household solutions.
  2. Disposing of fat and grease in the kitchen drain: If you are passing your used cooking oil or fats down the kitchen sink, it is high time to quitting this practice. Oils and fats may stick to your pipe’s interior and trap food debris, leading to problematic accumulations. Place an empty container near your sink to dispose of used oil and fats, preventing you from pouring them down the drain.
  3. Soap residue and cosmetic build-up in washroom sinks: Regularly clean your bathroom sinks with common household items to prevent soap scum buildup.
  4. Innumerable hair strands in the bathroom sink: Prior to showering or bathing, comb your hair thoroughly to reduce the amount of hair that sheds during washing. This will prevent clogging of the plughole.

Way to Unblock a Bathroom Sink

People often unknowingly throw hair strands into bathroom plugholes. Those when combine with soap lather and other products leads to clumping and clogging of sinks. Here are some ways to combat the issue.

Use a Plunger

It is one of the most reliable tools for removing stubborn blockages. To obtain the best outcomes, coat petroleum jelly over the edges of the plunger’s cup. This will enhance its suction power.  Also, you can cover the overflow sink holes with a dampened cloth for increasing the pressure. This enhances the plunger’s affectivity.

Also Read: 4 Ways to Unblock a Toilet that Won’t Drain

How to Unblock a Clogged Sink of Hair Strands

1. Use a Hair Snake

A hair snake is a light plastic device that helps to remove clumped hair strands out of the plug hole. Due to its non-sharp edge it is considered the best tool for unblocking a clogged sink. Another alternative is a wire coat hanger. However, we will recommend you not to use it for the sharp metal can scratch the inner pipe lining, causing potential damage.

2. Chemical-Based Drain Unblocking

The caustic ingredients present in a chemical-based drain unblocker have the potential to dissolve soap lather and accumulated scum, finally eliminating them out from the drainage line. The components can erode the blockages of your sink; however, it is best not to use them too often. That can highly risk the health of your pipes over time.

How to Unblock a Kitchen Sink

Several reasons may contribute to kitchen sink blocking. Some of the most common ones are: grease build-up, food debris, coffee and tea strains, etc. Some of the best methods to unblock a kitchen sink are as follows:

1. Use Hot Water

If you notice that your kitchen sludge is moving slowly, turn on the hot water tap for some time. We do not ask you to pour boiling hot water straight into the sink, for that can damage the older pipes. Instead, run moderately hot soapy water – that will help get rid of smaller blockages.   

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is an age-old method to dissolve fat and greasy substances that have adhered to the side of your drainage pipes. Add two tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of white vinegar; mix it thoroughly and pour the solution down your drain. Let it settle for around 5 minutes and then flush the sink down with warm water. However if your sink is already overflowing, then this may not be applicable. The mixture will just swirl and fizz, and potentially foam over.

Obtaining a CCTV drain Survey

With the emergence of several advanced technologies for determining drainage problems, CCTV surveys are the best. It involves insertion of an advanced camera throughout the entire piping network to create a map of it. This helps detect minor problems in the drainage system before they turn into major blockages.

Conclusion: Reach out to us for Quick and Verified Sink Unblocking

If you have already experienced multiple failed attempts to perform remedies on how to unblock a sink, but the obstruction persists, it is time to call a professional pluming team. Emergency Plumber London facilitates skilled drainage specialists who are equipped with cutting-edge technology and extensive experience. By utilising high-pressure water jets, they ensure that a blockage is entirely eliminated and does not persistently reappear. For a reliable, lasting solution for a clogged sink, contact us today!  

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