It doesn’t have to take much for a sink to become blocked but it does always feel like a daunting prospect when you are faced with fixing the issue. Kitchen sinks are the most likely to block easily as small pieces of food waste tend to get lodged in the pipes and if fat goes into the drain it solidifies. Here we look at some great easy-to-follow tips and techniques that will enable you to unblock your sink.
Using Products
If you think the sink blockage is caused by things that can be broken down, such as oil or food etc, then cleaning products will be your best bet. Usually the sink blockage will have been building up over time, therefore the debris would have had time to grow bacteria. Because of this it is important to use a powerful commercial sink un-blocker. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product and follow all safety precautions. This is a very effective when removing this kind of blockage. The main sign that the blockage is of this nature is the sink emptying slower over time and eventually not being able to empty. You may also notice an unpleasant smell.
Using A Plunger
If you have tried cleaning products and it has not solved the issue or if you are aware of a foreign object causing the blockage than a plunger is the best cause of action. Make sure you use the correct type of plunger; a toilet plunger will not do the job so you will need a sink plunger. When using the plunger, make sure that the overflow is blocked. Do this by holding a damp cloth over it tightly. If this isn’t done than the air pushed will simply come out of the overflow. Place the plunger over the plug hole, making sure there is a tight seal and pump up and down swiftly to build up the air pressure in the pipes. Repeat as needed and check if the object has been dislodged. Be sure to give the sink a good clean afterwards.
Prevention
There are a few things we can do to help prevent future sink blockages:
- Limit the amount of food waste and oil that enter the sink
- Use a filter on your plug hole
- Try to only let water and soup go into the plughole where possible
- Clean your sink regularly with a disinfectant