There is probably no hostess who has never encountered problems associated with home plumbing. Small particles of various origin, falling into the drain hole, form blockages. Even the most careful hostess is not immune from such a nuisance. Gradually, blockages accumulate in the drain pipe and reduce its permeability. The most problematic in this regard is a curved section of the pipe, or a water seal. If the sink is still clogged, it is not necessary to call a plumber. In this article, you will learn how to clean the sink from blockage at home on your own. The methods outlined in the material have been tested by many people who have experienced all the “charms” of plumbing surprises.
plunger
This is the easiest way to clear a clogged sink. The tool consists of a rubber cap mounted on the handle. The principle of operation of the plunger is based on the creation of a hydraulic shock. Under the influence of water hammer, the waste stuck in the drain pipe moves towards the sewer riser.
Mode of application:
- Fill the sink with water to cover the rubber part of the fixture.
- Press the cap firmly against the drain hole and make a few sharp forward movements from top to bottom. As a rule, 3-5 shocks are enough to restore the patency of the drain pipe.
- If the water still does not go away or leaves too slowly, then the procedure is repeated until a visible result is achieved.
- Dirt that has come out of the drain must be removed immediately so that the sink does not clog again.
Important! If your home has an old sewer system with rough cast iron pipes, you may have to try again a few more times. Sometimes the first attempt is ineffective.
A few folk recipes, or how to clear a blockage in the sink with soda
All these methods are time-tested, but they are based on the property of soda to dissolve fat in the blockage, thereby reducing its volume and density.
So, here are these recipes on how to clean the sink from blockage at home:
- Pour 3 tablespoons of baking soda down the drain and then pour a large volume of hot water over it.
- Pour 3 tablespoons of soda with one glass of 9% vinegar. Pour the mixture down the drain, then fill it with hot water. In this case, a chemical reaction will occur with the dissolution of the fatty component of the garbage plug. Thus, the pipe will again become passable.
- Pour equal amounts of baking soda and washing powder down the drain, then pour vinegar into the drain hole. Wait 20-30 minutes for the chemical reaction to take place, then wash off the mixture with hot water.
Important! Baking soda and vinegar are often used to clean kitchen sinks, since it is in the kitchen drain that fat deposits most often form and must be dissolved.
- Here's another good preventive measure. Prepare a composition containing 1 part citric acid and 2 parts baking soda and salt. Pour the mixture into the drain, add two parts of boiling water. Wash off with water after 5 minutes. Do maintenance once a week.
Important! Recipes on how to clean a blockage in the sink in the kitchen at home with baking soda and salt are good for the kitchen. If you need to clean the drain of the bathtub or bathroom sinks, it is best to use a mechanical method.
Household chemicals
Along with folk remedies, special tools are used to clear blockages, which are sold in household chemical stores. These drugs are easy to use. It is enough to fill the sink drain with the amount of the product provided for by the instruction, and after a certain (again, the instruction!) Time, rinse it off with water. In this case, the dissolution and rapid elimination of blockage occurs.
mechanical cleaning
Of course, this manipulation cannot be called pleasant, but in order to effectively clean the pipes while maintaining their integrity, the mechanical method is fully justified. How to clean the drain in the sink at home?
PVC siphon
Under the sink is a siphon, which serves as a kind of sump for sedimentation of contaminants. This prevents contaminants from entering the pipe, which can make cleaning difficult. If the siphon is made of plastic, then it must be cleaned and disassembled, after releasing water from the sink.
Important! After cleaning the siphon, it is necessary to check whether the corrugated outlet is dirty. After that, the siphon is twisted again
Cast iron siphon
If the siphon is cast iron, then cleaning it is somewhat more difficult. This is a non-separable structure, which, in case of contamination, must be cleaned with a special cable and rinsed. After all these manipulations, you can install the siphon back.
If you do not want to disassemble the siphon
To clean the sink drain without disassembling the siphon, you can use a special plumbing cable that is inserted inside the drain and rotated in different directions. The drain turns out to be cleaned with sufficient quality and reliability.
The procedure for this is as follows:
- Insert the end of the cable with a drill inside the drain hole. Using a drill, direct the cable to the intended blockage.
- Push the cable through the pipe while turning around its axis. It is advisable to do this manipulation with an assistant. Working alone is not very comfortable.
- Keeping the cable taut, push it through the pipe.
- When in contact with the cork, scroll the cable first in one direction, and then in the opposite direction. Alternately push the plumbing cable forward and pull back.
If your attempts were unsuccessful, the most reasonable way out would be to call a plumber from the Housing Office.
Application of hydraulic pump
Using a conventional hydraulic pump, you can create a strong water flow directed towards the sewer. If the blockage “sits” too tightly and it is impossible to wash it off with a stream of water, then you can try to move the “plug” using the suction method.
The algorithm is the following:
- Moisten a piece of cloth with water.
- Cover the overflow hole with a cloth.
- Draw water into the pump.
- Press the pump wort against the drain hole.
- Pump the pump by releasing water into the pipe and sucking it up again.
Prevention
Everyone knows the proverb that a disease is easier to prevent than to cure. The above preventive measures will allow you to avoid clogging the drain for a long time and questions about how to clean the sink from clogging.
