10 Ways to Unblock a Clogged Sink Drain

Signs Your Sink is Clogged

A clogged sink is a common issue that can happen in any household, affecting your kitchen bathroom, and other areas. Some telltale signs your sink may be clogged include:

• Water not draining or draining slowly, indicating a potential sink blockage
• Gurgling sounds coming from the drain
• Standing water in the sink basin, suggesting a severe blockage
• Unpleasant sewer odours coming from the drain

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to address clogged drains right away to figure out how to unclog them before water starts overflowing or backs up into adjacent drains. A prompt response can help ensure that the situation doesn’t deteriorate to water back up or more severe plumbing issues.

At Saint Marys Plumbing, we have over 10 years of experience swiftly dealing with clogged sinks, including your kitchen sink, throughout the Sydney area. We offer emergency plumbing services 24/7 and will send a crew to your home right away to get your sink drainage working properly again.

Whether it’s the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, or laundry sinks, our licenced technicians have the expertise to diagnose the issue and the tools to clear even the most stubborn drain blockages.

Don’t let a pesky clogged sink hinder your day; there are ways unclog it efficiently. As your local Sydney plumbers, we’re here to help find a way clear for your home’s water to flow freely once more. Give us a call anytime at 1300 349 338 - we service Saint Marys and surrounding suburbs.

What Causes Sink Clogs

Here is one of the most common causes of sink clogs, which you may be able to resolve with at-home solutions:

• Food waste: Leftover food particles such as grease, oil, coffee grounds, and small food scraps may adhere to your garbage disposal and pipes, gradually accumulating and hindering water flow.
• Hair: Strands of hair that get washed down the drain can snag and tangle together, forming a plug.
• Soap scum: Greasy residue from hand soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products can coat pipes.
• Foreign objects: Small items like hair accessories, children’s toys, and cotton swabs that accidentally get flushed can get lodged in the sink trap.

Within your clogged bathroom sink, accumulations of hair rank as a primary offender. When hot grease, fat, or oil is poured down drains, they stick and harden, which could end up fully obstructing the pipe walls when it cools, making it crucial to get rid of this build-up. Over time, thick layers form that block water.

Figuring out how unblock your clogged sink is key to clearing and preventing blockages. Avoid pouring fats/oils down drains, install drain catchers in your bathroom sink, and regularly dispose of hair/food waste properly. If you suspect your sink is clogged, it’s time to promptly tackle the issue – the speedier your drainage is unblocked, the simpler the resolution becomes.

At Saint Marys Plumbing, we have extensive training and cutting-edge camera technology to diagnose drain issues. Contact us at 1300 349 338 - we’re the Sydney plumbing experts equipped to solve any stubborn clogs.

Preventing Future Clogs

Discover how to unclog challenging blockages and prevent future clogs:

• Install sink strainers to trap food particles, hair, and other debris before they enter the drain.
• Avoid pouring fats and oils into your kitchen sink; instead, let them cool and solidify, then dispose of them in the trash.
• Learn how to unblock sink blockages in your own home by regularly clearing small drain obstructions to discover how unblocking methods can be effectively applied - Use a plunger at first signs of a slow drain without clear minor buildups before they escalate into complete clogs.
• Clean with baking soda - Mix baking soda vinegar with hot water to break up soap scum, hair, and grease deposits in pipes.
• Have drains professionally cleaned - A plumber might hydro jet or slide a drain snake, and occasionally bicarb soda, through your pipes to thoroughly purge any obstinate accumulations.

To keep your pipes in top condition, don’t worry – using sink strainers prevents avoidable clogging issues. But with a bit luck and proper maintenance, even the unforeseen problems can be kept at bay.

If the above methods fail and you have a persistent or severe clogged drain, the experts at Saint Marys Plumbing most likely have the tools and know-how to diagnose and resolve it fast.Give us a call at 1300 349 338 - available 24/7 for emergency sink repair in Sydney’s west.

Unclogging With Common Household Items

When faced with a clogged sink, many effective drain remedies can be found right in your own home. Before turning to harsh chemical drain cleaners, you can use common household items to unclog kitchen sinks as an eco-friendly first approach:

Baking soda and vinegar is a classic DIY drain unclogger. The chemical reaction between the base and acid creates pressure inside your kitchen sinks’ pipes that helps dislodge gunk. To use:

1. Pour a cup of baking soda down your kitchen sink’s drain, followed by hot water
2. Follow with 1 cup boiling water into the sink your drain to ensure the baking soda is fully flushed away
3. Leave it for 5-10 minutes then pour in the next substance and check the result
4. Then pour boiling vinegar and immediately cover or plug the drain
5. Let sit for 30 minutes as the chemical reaction unfolds then rinse with hot water

Pour boiling water down your drain to melt away and disintegrate oil or grease blockages. Carefully pour a full kettle of hot water directly into the drain.

Plunger

Using a sink plunger without rubber gloves can still create suction to loosen clogs. Plunge up and down rhythmically while covering the overflow hole to create an airtight seal.

Saint Marys Plumbing has over a decade of experience using professional-grade drain cleaning methods that can cause even the most stubborn clogs to surrender if DIY options are unsuccessful. Contact us anytime at 1300 349 338 - available 24/7 to perform services that unclog sink blockages across Sydney.

Using a Plunger

A plunger can effectively dislodge blockages when correctly positioned over the sink’s drain.

How to Unclog a Sink with a Plunger:

1. Fill the blocked sink halfway with water to allow for effective pressure build-up while avoiding spills.
2. Place the plunger over the plug hole securely to create an airtight seal.
3. With steady, downward pressure, rapidly work the plunger to find out how to unblock your drain and move it up and down around 15 times. This action vigorously pushes and pulls at the clog.
4. Finally, pull the plunger up forcefully to break the seal and then test the drainage by running water.
5. Let hot water course through the sink for a minute to wash debris away and move the water out efficiently.

Repeat the plunging process if the water still drains slowly to clear the blockage. Getting the angle and seal right takes some practise, so persist if needed. Caution should be taken not to repeatedly overflow the sink which can damage your cabinetry.

For persistent or recurring clogs, reach out to the friendly team at Saint Marys Plumbing at 1300 349 338. Our accredited Sydney plumbing pros can utilise a wire coat hanger or potent electric drain snakes to dismantle the most tenacious of blockages.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

One of the most effective homemade drain cleaners is a simple combination of soda vinegar. When combined, these two common household staples undergo a chemical reaction that breaks down organic matter like food scraps, oils, hair, and soap scum.

Here’s how to unblock your sink at home safely using this classic duo:

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 cup white vinegar

Instructions:

1. To clear kitchen sink obstructions, introduce the baking soda directly into your plughole, utilising a funnel if required.
2. Follow up by slowly pouring the hot water down sink to flush the baking soda further into the pipes.
3. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes to work on breaking up the clog.
4. Pour the vinegar down the drain, which will react with the baking soda and bubble vigorously for around 30 minutes, helping dislodge the blockage.
5. Finally, run the hot tap for a few minutes to rinse away any loose debris.

The action of this natural drain cleaner, where the base (baking soda) reacts with the acid (vinegar), creates carbon dioxide gas that, coupled with heat and pressure, can shift even stubborn sink clogs.

If your sink still remains blocked after following these steps, call our team - With over 10 years as Sydney’s top plumbers, we know how to use our high-powered tools to clear any sink blockage quickly and completely.

Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water down a clogged sink is a simple yet effective remedy for grease or fat buildup. As the hot water flows down the drain, it melts and dissolves the grease, helping clear the water sink blockage.

To apply this method:

1. Bring a full kettle of water to a rolling boil on the stove.
2. Carefully pour the freshly boiled water directly into the drain to unclog your sink.
3. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow time for the hot water to make its way down your pipes and break down the grease.
4. Follow up by running the hot tap for a minute to rinse away debris.

Check to see if water flow has resumed and if your sink still has a clog that needs attention. If water still drains slowly, you may need to repeat the process a few times. Allow the pipes to fully cool in between adding more boiling water to prevent damage from thermal shock.

For severe or recurring clogs, contact Saint Marys Plumbing on 1300 349 338. Our licenced technicians use advanced electric drain snakes and other tools to clear tough blockages.

Seeking Professional Drain Cleaning

If DIY methods fail to resolve sink clogs, seeking professional drain cleaning services is advisable. At Saint Marys Plumbing, our licenced technicians have industry-leading tools and expertise to clears drains thoroughly.

We use advanced methods like hydro-jetting to blast away years of built-up gunk. Our powerful tools can easily tackle tough blockages, even those caused by tree roots. We also perform drain inspections using specialised camera technology to pinpoint and fix blocked drains.

By tackling the core problem, we guarantee your pipes will clear up and the water will course swiftly again, providing a guide how to maintain and keep your plumbing free from future clogs. With 24/7 availability for emergencies plus competitive rates across Sydney, contact us anytime for superior drain cleaning services.

Don’t let a clogged sink cause ongoing headaches - explore ways to unclog it with our friendly team of local plumbing experts who are here to help get your water flowing freely once more. Give Saint Marys Plumbing a call at 1300 349 338 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.

When to Call a Plumber

You may attempt to unblock the sink on your own before seeking professional assistance. However, if you’ve tried the common DIY methods multiple times without success, it becomes necessary to call a licenced plumber.

Some scenarios that indicate when it’s time to pick up the phone and dial Saint Marys Plumbing on 1300 349 338 include:

• Water starts overflowing from the sink or backing up into other drains
• There is a persistent, very foul sewer gas smell coming from the drain
• Using a plunger, boiling water, baking soda solutions provide no improvement
• Multiple sinks/drains are clogged throughout the home, and even washing powder is ineffective in clearing the issue
• You have looked under sink and see water signs of leaks or deterioration

Our team of fully licenced Sydney plumbers have the high-powered tools, cameras, and know-how you’ll need do clear the most severe and recurrent clogs. Our services include hydro jetting pipes, snaking drains, and performing repairs for optimal sink drainage.

Don’t continue struggling with a do your own plumbing efforts when professional help is a phone call away. For prompt response from knowledgeable experts you can trust, contact Saint Marys Plumbing 24/7 on 1300 349 338.