A sink with a clogged drain is no small problem, but before calling a plumber, you can try clearing the drain. Manual methods work well in case of large scale blocking the drain pipes, but it is also possible to create natural mixtures for cleaning the pipes, or to use chemicals that free the drain from clogging and undesirable encrustations. Here are the most common methods you can try the next time you have a clogged drain.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part 1: Manual Removal
Step 1. Remove the obstruction with a wire hanger
If the sink appears to be clogged with lumps of hair or other solid material, you may want to try to remove the obstacle by pulling it out with the help of an old wire hanger.
- Straighten the wire as well as possible. Then bend one end until it forms a small hook that you can insert into the drain.
- Insert the coat hanger down the drain, starting with the hook. You should try to hold the hook on the edge of the pipe, rather than lowering it centrally. By doing this, you should be able to avoid pushing the block further into the exhaust pipe.
- When you encounter resistance, turn and pull the wire, trying to get as much of the encrustation out as possible.
- Run hot water down the drain for a few minutes, preferably if the jet is strong and the temperature high. Stop the water if you see that the drain is not disposing of it promptly.
Step 2. Use a suction cup vigorously to clear the obstruction
- If you have two sinks with communicating drains, firmly block one of the two drains with a wet rag.
- Place the suction cup on the drain to be released, keeping it vertical.
- Fill the sink with 10 cm of water, so that the suction cup has a better grip on the drain.
- Allow water to enter the drain, and operate the suction cup vigorously for about 30 seconds, with quick movements but keeping the suction cup always in contact with the drain.
- Release the suction cup after the last vertical movement.
- In some cases the operation must be repeated for a few minutes in order to free the obstruction.
Step 3. Clean the siphon
The siphon often becomes clogged due to the accumulation of materials that are deposited there. This part of the drain is located under the sink, and can be easily disassembled for cleaning.
- Place a large bucket under the siphon. This way, water or debris will fall into the bucket when the siphon is removed.
- Use a parrot wrench or a wrench of the right size to unscrew the siphon, and then carefully remove this part of the drain.
- Use a wire brush to clean the inside of the siphon, and empty the material into the bucket. Use the same brush to clean the exhaust pipes as far as possible.
- Rinse the siphon with hot water. Better if you use another sink for this operation, as you have removed the siphon and the bucket you put under the sink you are working on has a limited capacity.
- Reconnect the siphon to the drain. If there are any parts that show obvious signs of corrosion, you should replace them.
Step 4. Use a hose if the obstruction is deeper
you may need to use a hose to remove it.
- Remove the siphon and any other pipes until you reach the wall.
- Pull out about 20 cm of hose.
- Insert the tip of the hose into the wall drain. Then tighten the screw.
- Operate the crank clockwise to push the hose into the tube. If you feel resistance, it is probably due to bends and bends in the hose, which the hose must adapt to.
- When you find an obstruction, keep turning until you feel the tip of the hose pass the other side. The tension in the thread will be much less as it passes the obstruction.
- Turn the crank counterclockwise to pull out the hose. Clean the thread as you pull it out.
- Repeat if necessary, until you no longer feel obstructions.
Method 2 of 3: Part 2: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Rinse the sink with boiling water
Use at least a liter of boiling water, pouring it two or three times with pauses of a few seconds. Repeat if necessary.
- If possible, rinse the sink with about a quart of boiling water, or more if you have a larger kettle or saucepan.
- You can heat the water on the stove or in the microwave, but in the latter case, heat it for short periods and keep a stick in the bowl to avoid overheating the water, which could be dangerous.
- Pour the boiling water directly down the drain, do not let it run down by pouring it into the sink.
- This method works best with small obstructions, but may be ineffective with larger obstructions. Greater effectiveness is obtained with boiling water.
Step 2. Remove the obstruction with vinegar and baking soda
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is very effective for the chemical reaction and gas development that results from mixing substances, which is abrasive and strong enough to remove many stubborn obstructions.
- Pour about 125ml of baking soda down the drain.
- Then pour about 125ml of white vinegar down the drain.
- Quickly cover the drain with a plug. In this way the chemical reaction takes place inside the drain and towards the obstruction, instead of being dispersed in the sink.
- As soon as the reaction ends, pour another 1525 ml of white vinegar down the drain, cover with the cap and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Boil 4 liters of water, and pour it down the drain to rinse out any remaining vinegar or baking soda.
Step 3. Pour vinegar and salt down the drain
When combined, salt, baking soda and water create a reaction that releases most fillings.
- Mix 125ml of table salt with 125ml of baking soda.
- Carefully pour the mixture down the drain, letting most of the mixture go into the drain, and avoiding pouring it into the sink. The mixture is only effective if it comes into contact with the obstruction.
- Let the baking soda and salt mixture sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Boil 1 to 4 liters of water. Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain.
- Quickly cover the drain with the plug as soon as you have added the water, so that the chemical reaction occurs downwards and not outwards.
- The chemical reaction that develops should be sufficient to release the less resistant obstructions.
Method 3 of 3: Part 3: Specific Chemicals
Step 1. Pour caustic soda down the drain
Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is a very strong chemical agent, and it can clear the drain of most blockages.
- Caustic soda can be found for sale in hardware stores or among household cleaning items in the supermarket.
- Dilute 750ml of caustic soda in about 3 liters of cold water in a bucket. Stir with a wooden ladle.
- Do not use containers that will later come into contact with food.
- Do not mix caustic soda and water with your hands.
- The water and soda should start to gas and heat up.
- Carefully pour the solution into the clogged drain, and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes without touching.
- Boil 4 liters of water and use it to rinse the drain.
- Repeat if necessary.
Step 2. Try bleach
If your drain is connected to a public sewer, and not a well or septic tank, you can use bleach to clean the obstruction and remove odors at the same time.
- Pour 250ml of undiluted bleach directly down the drain. Leave on for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Open the faucet to maximum and run the water down the drain. Make sure the water is as hot as possible and runs fast, and let it run for 5 minutes.
- If the sink fills with water, turn off the tap and wait for the water to go down before repeating the operation.
- Don't use bleach if you have a septic tank. Bleach kills pit bacteria, the same bacteria that have to decompose organic residues, rendering them ineffective.
Step 3. Use a dedicated product to clear the drains
On the market there are several formulas, available at the supermarket, and can be divided into caustic, acidic and enzymatic products.
- Read the instructions carefully in order to understand what type of product it is and its effectiveness in the specific case. For example, some products are more suitable for the bathroom sink, and others are more suitable for the kitchen sink.
- Follow the instructions carefully.
- Caustic products are based on the chemical reactions generated by hydroxide ions.
- Acid products are based on the chemical reactions that occur between hydrogen ions and the material that forms the drain plug, and tend to be more aggressive than caustic products.
- Enzyme products are the least potent and rely on the action of bacterial enzymes to organically remove the filling.
