Here are easy-to-follow instructions on how to unstop your kitchen or bathroom sink drains.
Read these instructions carefully before tackling this job on your own, and see below to learn how Your 1 Plumber can help.
Unclogging Moderately Clogged Drains
- If you have a moderately clogged drain, try this homemade drain cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. Be careful. The two ingredients interact with foaming and fumes, so replace the drain cover loosely. Let the concoction set for about three hours before running water.
- If you know the slow drain is from grease, try this treatment: Pour in 1/2 cup of salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by a teakettle of boiling water. Allow to sit overnight.
Alternative Approach for Moderately Clogged Drains
- If the drain is sluggish but not completely clogged, turn on the hot water tap for 5 to 10 minutes. This sometimes opens the drain.
- If running hot water does not open the sluggish drain, try an environmentally safe chemical drain opener like Bio-Clean. It’s a powder that mixes with water, and can only be obtained from quality plumbing companies like Your 1 Plumber. Before using Bio-Clean, read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- After using any chemical cleaner, flush it from the drain pipes by allowing hot water to run for at least 10 minutes.
Unclogging Completely Clogged Drains
- In some cases, using a simple suction cup will open a clogged sink drain.
- Remove the basket strainer from the drain.
- Run hot water until it stands about 2″ deep in the sink.
- Take a suction cup plunger and pump it up and down directly over the clogged drain. The water in the sink provides a seal. If the suction cup does not clear the drain in a few minutes, you will probably be forced to remove some of the pipes to get the job done
- If you cannot open the drain with the suction cup, set a pail underneath the sink trap and remove the cleanout plug and washer. If the drain is only slightly clogged, a few quick probes with a screwdriver may solve the problem.
- If the screwdriver doesn’t open it, use a snake or drain auger through the pipe. A drain auger works best if you rotate it, feed it in a short distance, and then rotate it again. This enables the drain auger to be inserted deeply into the pipe.
- After the drain pipe is opened, replace the cleanout plug and washer. Run scalding water through the pipe to carry away any accumulations.
Need a Little Friendly Assistance?
If you have trouble with any part of this process, give us a call and if we’re not immediately available to assist you, one of our technicians will return your call at the very first opportunity.
Or, if the project proves to be more than you care to tackle yourself, here’s a $35 savings you can apply to our professional drain cleaning services!
