Removing A Sink Clog

When a sink becomes clogged, you will have difficulty going about your normal routine until you have it repaired. Sink clogs are usually caused by a buildup of food, grease or hair. Before calling a plumber to take care of a clogged sink problem, there are a few things you can try yourself, perhaps saving you some money in the end. Here are some tips to try when dealing with a clog in the sink.

Try To Plunge

If you have enough water inside the basin, you will be able to seal a plunger over the drain in an attempt to unclog whatever is lodged down below. Apply force when pushing down with a plunger and quickly pull it back up without breaking the seal. Do this many times and then gently remove the plunger from the drain. If the material has become dislodged, you will notice the water starting to go down the drain. If the water is still sitting, try to plunge two or three more times before moving to another method.

Use A Plumber's Snake

A plumber's snake is a small auger that is placed into your drain and then lengthened by unwinding into the piping system. This is used to push through material that is clogging the pipes. It may push it further down, or it may move it enough that water will start to drain. In time, the material doing the clogging will break down and be flushed through the system to the outdoors.

Pour Material In the Basin

You can try to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to break up the material inside the pipes. This may take several hours, but sometimes the combination will break up any food or hair that may be lodged in your piping. Sprinkle some of each right into the sink basin and give it some time to work its way down.

You could do the same with commercial clogged drainage products. These are a bit risky to use in your sink, as they can cause your pipes to be stripped, causing them to weaken. 

Take The P-Trap Out

Underneath your sink is a bendy piece of piping, called the P-Trap. You can try to remove this piece to see if something has become trapped inside. First, you will want to place a bucket directly under this pipe so the water in the basin will drain inside. Use a wrench to unscrew the nuts on either side of the P-Trap piece and remove slowly, allowing the water to drain. When all the water is out of the basin, take the P-Trap out and see if anything is lodged inside. Contact a company like Angeles Plumbing for more information or assistance.