QUESTION: How to clear a clogged sink?

A clogged kitchen sink or bathroom basin can completely disrupt your daily routine, but you can easily handle this problem on your own. The choice of the elimination method directly depends on the complexity of the issue and the amount of debris accumulated in the pipes. Both mechanical methods, proven home remedies, and specialized household chemicals are used to effectively combat clogs.

For a minor clog, when water begins to drain slowly from the sink, a standard plunger comes to the rescue. To make the plunger work properly, you need to tightly seal the overflow hole with a damp cloth, pour a little water into the sink so that it completely covers the rubber dome, and make several energetic up-and-down movements. After creating a water hammer, the debris plug will shift, and all that remains is to flush the pipes with a large amount of hot water.

If the plunger does not help, you can use an eco-friendly and safe method using baking soda and table vinegar. Pour half a glass of regular baking soda into the drain hole and immediately pour half a glass of 9% vinegar into it, then tightly close the drain with a plug. A chemical reaction will occur with the release of foam, which eats away at grease deposits and organic matter; after fifteen to twenty minutes, flush the system with hot water.

To eliminate a more serious clog, when the water stops draining altogether, you will need to disassemble the trap under the sink. Before starting the dismantling, be sure to place a deep basin or bucket under the trap to collect dirty water and accumulated dirt. Unscrew the retaining nuts, remove the trap bulb, thoroughly rinse it to remove hair, grease, and food scraps under a stream of water, reassemble the structure, and check the connections for leaks.

For deep clogs located deep inside the sewer pipe, a flexible plumbing snake is used. It is carefully inserted into the pipe, and the handle is turned, pushing or hooking the stuck debris, wrapped hair, or dense clumps of dirt. It is worth remembering that popular liquid pipe cleaning products like Krot eat away not only at organic matter but also at plastic elements, so using them too frequently is strictly not recommended to avoid damaging the plumbing.