Plumber Recommended Techniques for Unclogging a Sink

For many Nashville homeowners, a clog is a reality that's hard to face. A clogged sink can happen anytime. Whether a sink is completely backed up or simply draining too slowly, there are a few simple methods that often work. These techniques are safe for homeowners and any plumber who might have to be called later if the drain won’t clear.

Safe, Common Household Items

Clogged sinks that don’t contain standing water can often be fixed before they completely back up. One simple method that can clear a slow-draining sink requires only baking soda and vinegar.

About one-half cup baking soda poured into the drain followed by an equal amount of plain, white vinegar causes a chemical reaction. This mild, acidic reaction bubbles and foams for a few minutes, breaking down grease and loosening any clogs. After the foaming stops, hot water run down the pipe can help clear anything that remains.

Time Can Often Help Clear a Clog

If there’s time to leave a sink overnight, a combination of about a cup of baking soda and half the amount of salt can be poured into the drain. About two cups of extremely hot or boiling water poured down the drain the next morning can wash away any clog that remains after the mixture has worked on the grease and build-up overnight.

Manual Sink Clog Removal

When a fully-clogged sink contains standing water, a simple plunger can often get the sink draining again. Fast, firm pushes of the plunger while it completely covers the drain opening are often enough to fix the problem.

A “zipper” device is an inexpensive piece of sturdy plastic with teeth on the side designed to catch hair and clogs. The strip can be pushed into a drain and twisted to pull out a clog and let water run freely. The next option would be to remove the U-bend below the sink where most clogs get trapped, clean the pipe, and then replace it.

Avoid Corrosive Chemicals

These methods can safely unclog a sink without the need for dangerous acid drain cleaners to poison your Nashville home. If a drain cleaner is used without success, the homeowner or plumber who tries to clear the clog next is at serious risk of coming into contact with highly corrosive agents. Safe baking soda solutions, plunging and simple manual removal are the safest way to unclog most sinks.

Unclogging a sink is a job for the pros. Call Green Hills Plumbing at (615) 383-3339 for plumbing service in your Nashville, TN home!