Preventing blockages in the sink

Why is the sink clogged?

All siphons used in residential buildings and apartments can be divided into several types:

• bottle - such products have a removable part that looks like the bottom of a bottle. To unscrew it, you do not need special tools. It is not difficult to eliminate a blockage in such a siphon (for more details: "How to clean a blockage in a sink - affordable and effective means");
• pipe - these products are curved tubes;
• corrugated - these siphons can be bent in different ways, so they are installed in the most non-standard places. They are especially often installed in apartments with a small area;
• hidden - they are placed in a box;
• with overflow - this siphon requires a special sink, which has a hole for draining excess water;
• with a double or a tee - such products are in great demand, since they are intended to connect several household appliances at the same time, for example, a washing machine and a dishwasher;
• flat - they are mounted when they are going to place a large-sized apparatus under the sink, which can be, for example, a mini washer. And although these siphons are rarely installed, they are convenient as they take up little space.

Clog removal methods

If the sink is clogged in the kitchen, there is water, the reason is the formed cork. It periodically occurs in a siphon, drain, pipes. In every house there is a remedy that will help eliminate the problem or reduce it if the blockage is not associated with a human factor, but with objective reasons: old sewer systems. Mechanical methods or folk remedies will completely help to clear the blockage in the sink.

Mechanical methods are more often used by men. The most common is to use a plunger. You can do without it and easily remove the blockage with a cable. If there is nothing at home, it is enough to use a vacuum cleaner.

Folk ways are for women. They use hot water, salt, soda, acetic acid, or use chemicals that are available to absolutely everyone today.

Other cleaning methods

If, after using simple home remedies, the contamination in the sink has not been removed, then the cork is too large and tight. Then they try to remove it using household chemicals or a plumbing cable. They handle dirt without disassembling the siphon.

Clearing a blockage with a plumbing cable and devices replacing it

To remove the tight plug in the sink, use a metal tool similar to a brush with a long curving handle. It is called a plumbing cable. You can purchase such a device in the economic department. It is suitable for cleaning a metal sewer pipe. Even rust on the inner walls is removed from mechanical stress. It is not recommended to use a plumbing cable for a plastic pipe, since there is a high probability of damage.

The procedure for removing the blockage:

1. The device is placed in the tube and the handle is turned. If the movement comes from itself, then the blockage is pushed further into the sewer riser. In reverse rotation, the plug is taken out.
2. Water is sometimes turned on while the cable is in use. It helps to flush impurities down the drain.
3. After finishing cleaning, turn on hot water to wash off the remaining dirt.

Important!

If there is no cable at home, it is replaced with a homemade device made from a metal hanger. It is unbent so that a hook remains at the end. The wire is placed in the hole in the sink and the dirt is cleaned out.

Household chemicals

Household chemical products are used to dissolve plugs in the sewer pipe.They use acid or alkali as an active substance. These products are liquid or gel-like. Less common are dry preparations in the form of granules. When choosing a specific cleaning agent, take into account what material the pipes are made of.

Tips for using chemical solvents:

1. Acids are used as active ingredients in the well-known inexpensive remedy "Krot". The drug well dissolves plugs in sewers of any nature. If the blockage is too neglected, the granular Bagi Pothan powder works better.
2. Preparations in liquid form have a milder effect. Therefore, they can be used for plastic sewers.
3. Before using a chemical solvent, the blockage is exposed to boiling water or a stream of hot water for 20 minutes. Then the selected product is used according to the instructions.
4. Keeping a large supply of pipe cleaning supplies at home is dangerous when small children live in the home. Therefore, it is better to buy a small portion in a single-use package.
5. Wear rubber gloves to protect the skin before removing the blockage. Otherwise, the chemical will corrode your hands.
6. Additionally, it is recommended to open the windows so as not to be poisoned by poisonous vapors resulting from a chemical reaction.

Removing a blockage with a plunger

To break through the formed plug with a plunger is the first thing that comes to mind when such a problem arises. The action plan is as follows:

• Fill the sink halfway with water (preferably hot).
• We cover the drain hole with the lower wide part of the plunger.
• Press the plunger handle with force two or three times.

This method works in such a way that pressure is created in the pipe and a strong stream of water is sent to the drain, which flushes the debris. You can clear a clogged sink with a plunger in most but not all cases. The following tips will tell you what to do if the method didn't work.

Dismantling the siphon

The accumulation of dirt in the siphon is often the reason for the obstructed passage of water. Its design assumes an area where water constantly stands. It prevents the sewer stench from entering the apartment. In the same area, subsidence and accumulation of food debris and fat deposits occurs. To flush the siphon, it is disassembled.

The work is performed in the following order:

1. Unscrew the nuts connecting the siphon to the sink and the sewer.
2. Pull out the reservoir, taking care of the safety of the gaskets.
3. After washing the siphon, it is cleaned with a small brush from plaque.
4. The same brush is used to clean the inner surface of the pipes.
5. The siphon is installed in its original place, observing the position of the gaskets.
6. Turn on water and check the tightness of the connections. Water must not seep out.

Blockage prevention

To mess around with dirty "plugs" in pipes less often, follow the preventive recommendations:

• Take care of additional equipment of the drain hole with specialized grids that retain food waste during the dishwashing process.

• Do not empty greasy liquids, including vegetable oil, from cooking food into the sink.
• Before washing dishes, clean up any food debris in the trash can.
• Use a plunger and hot water to clean your kitchen sink twice a month.
• Install a special waste shredder in the sink (Before purchasing, make sure it can be installed).

With the help of a waste grinder, you can prevent the appearance of blockages in the sewer pipes

Follow the recommendations and remove minor blockages in the kitchen sink yourself. Remember: adherence to simple rules and regular prevention will help you avoid troubles that affect the level of comfort.

Folk ways

Another common popular way to clear blockages in the sink is to use baking soda.

The recipes are different, but they are all based on the property of soda to dissolve the fatty component of blockages, thereby reducing their density and volume.

So, let's prepare a solution according to one of these recipes:

three tablespoons of ordinary soda are poured into the drain, after which it is spilled with plenty of hot water;

the same amount of soda is poured into a glass of vinegar and left for 10-15 minutes, after which the drain is also washed with hot water. A chemical reaction takes place in the pipe, the result of which will be the dissolution of fat - and therefore facilitating the passage of the blockage;

components similar to the previous ones are enriched with any washing powder: soda and powder in equal amounts are poured into the drain and poured with vinegar. After 20-30 minutes, the sink drain is flushed with plenty of hot water.

How to clean an old tap (mixer)

The reason for a sharp decrease in the water pressure can be a plug, consisting of particles of rust and scale, or a clogged aerator.

Before clearing such a blockage, remember the safety measures:

Be sure to turn off the water using the valves located at the inlet of pipes to the house or apartment.
Open the taps, checking for water inflow.
When tightening the valve elements, do not use too much force so as not to break the thread.
To avoid scalding, be careful when working with the hot water tap.

Cleaning the aerator

1. Dismantle it using an adjustable wrench.
2. Rinse the nozzles with a high pressure of water or clean the mesh with a needle.
3. Reinstall the aerator.

High-quality cleaning of the aerator will significantly improve the water pressure in the tap

Cleaning the single-lever mixer

If you want to increase the water pressure in a tap equipped with a single-lever mixer, do the following:

1. Remove the handle of the device, secured with a screw (it is hidden under a plastic cap, red and blue) on the front side.
2. Pull out the plug carefully.
3. Unscrew the screw and remove the handle.
4. Dismantle the housing cover of the device, under which the mechanism is hidden.
5. Unscrew the clamping nut using an open-end wrench.

Determine what type of mechanism is used in the crane.

If the valve is equipped with a disc cartridge, pull the stem with a light and careful movement and remove the cylindrical mechanism. Such a cartridge cannot be repaired and requires a complete replacement.

Elements of a mixer equipped with a disc cartridge

When disassembling the ball mechanism, it is important not to lose small parts and springs. The body of the device itself should be thoroughly rinsed

If you find serious damage to the parts and when the ball loosely dangles in the socket, it is better to replace the mechanism. After cleaning, reassemble the mixer in the reverse order, carefully tightening the fixing screw.

Disassembling a ball valve requires accuracy and care

How to pierce a sink at home by disassembling a drain

A plumbing cable can be used to clear the blockage. Or more radical methods - disassembling the siphon. The principle of operation of the cable is to push dirt further along the pipeline. It is more difficult to disassemble the siphon, sometimes only a master can carry out this operation.

How to clean the siphon with its disassembly:

1. A bucket is placed under the siphon;
2. Next, unscrew the element;
3. Then all dirt is removed from the siphon, and the part is well washed;
4. Then the sump is installed in place;
5. The final stage is to check the operability of the drain.

But it should be borne in mind that this operation is performed when other methods cannot be cleaned.

But it is important to use a cable before doing this. It will push the pollution further

HOW TO CLEAN A HOUSE WASH?

Let's go back to the methods to help unclog a clogged kitchen sink. There are many more or less effective detergents on the market.

When shopping, it is worth paying attention to whether the selected product is intended for the sewer system that we have.Not every product is suitable for cleaning aluminum pipes

Highly corrosive substances in some fluids or granules can damage aluminum piping that is not resistant to them

In addition, it is worth remembering that when using the aforementioned agents, care should be taken not to inhale vapors that may be toxic.

Prophylaxis

To prevent the formation of a blockage in the sewer, preventive cleaning is performed regularly. Frequent cleaning prevents deterioration of the elements of the sewerage system. To do this, hot water is turned on weekly under strong pressure or boiling water is poured inside for 20 minutes.

There is no need to pour cooking oil into the kitchen sink. Its particles stick to the inner walls of the drain system and gradually form a blockage. If this happens, the shell is spilled with boiling water or a mixture of salt and soda is used.

Throw away any food leftovers in the trash bin before washing dishes. This will make it easier to clean the sink and prevent blockages. To prevent large particles of products from entering the sewer, a mesh is installed on the sink hole.

Home "chemistry"

You can often hear the advice that a special pipe cleaner or acid can remove any blockage. However, if the pipes are plastic (and the corrugation is certainly the same), you should not risk it and tempt fate. In addition, it is not always possible to accurately pour an aggressive solution exactly into the bathroom drain; expensive plumbing can suffer from this.

Many housewives are interested in the question of what to do if the sink is clogged and there is no way to purchase a store product. There are several ways to get rid of the trash plug at home using salt, baking soda or vinegar:

1. Mix in a container 200 g of baking soda and salt with ¼ glass of wine vinegar.
2. Pour ¼ the mixture into the drain hole, pour in ½ liter of boiling water and wait for half an hour.
3. Flush the drain with a good stream of water.

The remaining product can be poured into a glass container and stored until the next occasion.

A tandem of soda and vinegar will help not only unclog the plug, but also get rid of the unpleasant odor:

1. First, you should clean the sink from the accumulated water in it.
2. Pour a glass of baking soda into the drain hole, pour a glass of vinegar and close the drain tightly.
3. After half an hour, pour in ½ liter of boiling water to clear the pipe from the weakened blockage.

As a result of the chemical reaction of the agent, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide are formed, which allows you to quickly clean the "plug" in the sink or bathroom.

You can clean the pipes from clogging in a longer way:

1. Pour 100 g of salt and soda into the drain hole, pour boiling water over the mill.
2. Leave overnight, not allowing the water to drain.

It is better to use stone table salt.

As a preventive measure, you can dissolve 4 tbsp. tablespoons of soda in a glass of hot water and pour into the drain. After 15 minutes, clean the pipes with a stream of hot water. You can clean the drain from fat with a large amount of boiling water - a daily evening of the procedure is enough so that the blockage does not become an urgent problem.

Homemade remedies are effective if the blockage is near the drain. Therefore, it is advisable to alternate them with mechanical methods and not neglect preventive actions.

Drainage system device

To quickly clear a clogged drain, you need to know on what principle the drainage system is arranged. The classical design assumes, in addition to washing and sewer pipes, the presence of the following elements:

• release with mesh;
• overflow;
• branch pipe;
• siphon.

This last detail is especially important for the quality of the kitchen sink. The siphon acts as a water seal and prevents the penetration of unpleasant odors from the sewer into the room. Most often, an obstacle that does not allow water to flow freely is formed there.Less often, the blockage is localized in the drain, sewer pipe or in the riser.

Important!

The ease of its elimination depends on the place of clogging. The easiest way to fix the problem is the drain. To clean the sewer system, you will have to untwist the siphon. If an obstacle has formed in a common riser, it is not possible to cope on its own. Then you need to call the plumbers.

How to clean a sink at home

There are many ways to clean the sink at home:

• chemical;
• mechanical;
• folk.

Chemical methodsSewer cleaning moleMechanical methodsTo eliminate the problem with fluid drain:

• the kitchen sink is filled with hot water by about a third;
• use the plunger vigorously to create the right pressure. The principle of performing the movements is similar to how air is pumped with a car tire pump.

Folk ways

• the use of a strong saline solution - it is poured into the drain and thereby eliminates the fat plug. After the composition is poured, the plunger is used as described earlier. To make it fit more tightly to the hole, it is advisable to grease its edges with cream;
• the dirt can be blown out using the appropriate function of the powerful vacuum cleaner. But this method will only help in the simple case;
• baking soda also works well. Due to its alkaline reaction, it cleans the wastewater well. The solution is prepared from 150 grams of baking soda and 200 milliliters of water. First, for 15 minutes, the soda is calcined in a cast-iron pan and allowed to cool. Then add a glass of water and stir;
• You can also clean the sink with baking soda and vinegar. To do this, pour a few tablespoons of soda into the drain and pour a glass of vinegar. After the completion of the chemical reaction, the drain is flushed with plenty of well-heated water.

How to remove a blockage in the kitchen sink with your own hands

Special means

There is a huge choice of ready-made chemicals that can be used to get rid of the blockage, as well as the spread of prices. Before you clear the blockage in the pipe in the bathroom with one of them, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for using such tools. If the blockage is running, then only chemical means cannot be dispensed with, you will have to use the mechanical ones presented above.

Chemicals are also one of the quickest ways to unclog pipes.

Household chemicals for removing blockages in pipes are best purchased in the form of a gel or powder.

Important Tips:

Powder and liquid products do not differ in effectiveness.
When buying, check with the seller if the product is suitable for the type of pipes that are available in your home.
Liquid products should be poured directly into the drain hole, after pouring powders, pour hot water (1 glass).
After the time specified in the instructions, spill the pipes with hot water in order to rinse the pipes well and remove debris.
When using these products, it is important not to use the bathroom for a while. It is optimal to do cleaning at night.

After the chemical agent has been poured into the drain, it is necessary to turn on hot water to flush the pipes

Be sure to take precautions when working with chemicals

Specific means

In the store in the thematic section, you can get confused, but there are a number of tools that are especially popular with consumers. Among them:

"Mole" is a well-known remedy used by our mothers and grandmothers for a long time. But it cannot be used for plastic pipes;

Pipe cleaner in different types

Mister Muscle is suitable for all pipes. The active substance penetrates into all the nooks and crannies of the sewer system. In addition to eliminating various types of blockages, it removes bacteria, thereby eliminating unpleasant odors;

A powerful chemical for home use

Tiret removes blockages quickly. Has no ammonia odor;

A practical, strong, odorless chemical

"Potkhan" - dissolves all types of blockages, and quickly.

Unique chemical agent, suitable for all types of blockages

When working with any chemicals, rubber gloves, an oilcloth apron and safety goggles should be used.

After using the product, if there is a siphon in the bathroom and kitchen, it must be thoroughly cleaned.

Pipe cleaning with special products

If you are unsuccessful in trying to clear the blockage with baking soda and vinegar or hot water, try a product specially formulated to deal with blockages in pipes.

• In the department of household chemicals you will find a wide range of similar compositions: "Mister Muskul", "Mole", "Tiret", "Flup", "Bagi Potkhan". With their help, you can quickly clean the drain at home.
• But if the water does not leave due to a bunch of hair or wool, then such a remedy is useless against such a blockage of the sink.

Drainage chemicals are aggressive. They have a destructive effect on the rubber gasket and the pipes themselves (especially plastic). Therefore, it is recommended to use them only in extreme cases.

Read the instructions carefully before clearing the blockage in the sink with household cleaning products. The manufacturer indicates the correct procedure on the packaging. There you will find information about how long after pouring the product into the drain, you need to rinse the pipes with a stream of clean cold water.

Do not exceed the recommended exposure time, as this can seriously damage the drain system.

Now you know that if the sink is clogged at home, the problem can be solved without calling the plumber. Before proceeding, carefully consider what caused the blockage. A plug made from hair, wool, food, or debris can be removed by mechanical cleaning.

Read more:

• Pipe obstruction cleaners
• What to do if the toilet is clogged
• Toilet bowl cleaners
• How to break through a blockage in a pipe at home
• What to do if the kitchen sink is clogged

Baking soda with vinegar, boiling water, or special household chemicals will destroy the accumulation of grease and dirt in the pipes that prevent water from flowing freely. If none of the above methods helped to clean the sink at home, call a plumber.

Mechanical cleaning methods

These methods are based on the use of physical effort, as well as special devices. There are 3 ways:

Using a plunger

A simple and fairly common cleaning method, but it is only suitable for removing minor blockages.

What to do: Fill the sink, about 1/3 full, with hot water. Press the plunger firmly against the drain hole and perform a few air-pumping strokes, swinging the rubber part up and down. Under air pressure, the mud ball will begin to collapse and budge.

Cleaning the pipe with a cable

If the blockage is dense and long-established, then a cable should be used. It is a flexible, solid, long cord, on one end of which there is a hook, spiral or brush, and on the other - a handle, for ease of use.

Lower the cable through the sink drain into the pipe. Begin twisting the cord until the end of the cord hits the blockage. Then you can go in 2 ways: rotate clockwise, pushing a clod of dirt into a wider pipe, or, conversely, counterclockwise, pulling the plug out. During operation, periodically turn on the water tap to rinse out broken dirt particles.

Removing a blockage with a vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner, which has the function of blowing air, will become an excellent assistant in eliminating light pollution in the pipe. Wrap the hose from the vacuum cleaner with a thin cloth for a snug fit, and press it against the drain hole on the sink. Turn the appliance on at full power - the air flow will push through the dirt plug.

Mechanical cleaning procedures include flushing the siphon, where dirt very often accumulates, forming a dense lump. Before unscrewing the siphon lid, place a bucket under it, into which dirty water will pour out. Rinse all parts, clean the corrugated pipe, put the whole structure back.

The old proven way - Vantuz

The simplest way to clear a blockage in a sink involves the use of a plunger - a mechanical device made in the form of a rubber bowl attached to a wooden handle. The principle of operation of the plunger is based on the fact that the blockage in the sink, when used, is cleared due to the hydraulic shock created by such a device. Meeting with an obstacle in the form of a blockage in its path, the water hammer breaks it down into smaller parts, which contributes to the cleaning of the elements of the plumbing system.

To use a plunger to clear the blockage formed in the sink system, proceed as follows:

• the rubber part of the device is installed on the drain hole so that it is completely closed;
• holding the device by the handle and, tightly pressing its rubber part to the inner surface of the sink, they make several sharp jolts, and then take the plunger bowl away from the hole.

If, after performing the manipulations described above, the water from the sink does not leave through its hole, then the whole procedure should be repeated again. If the system of a two-section sink is cleaned with a plunger, then the second hole of such a device must be tightly closed, for which you can use a damp cloth or the palm of your hand.

For all its effectiveness, the plunger will not be able to help if the blockage in the sink system is old or too dense. In such cases, you can try to solve the problem with a clogged sink with the help of proven folk remedies.

A blockage in the bathroom

The blockage makes itself felt by poor water permeability and an unpleasant odor. That is why everyone should familiarize themselves with the most popular and effective options for how to clean the sink. But, first of all, the reason should be determined.

Reasons for blockage in the sink:

1. Accumulation of dirt. Over time, a huge amount of dirt, food or soap residues, and hair accumulates in the siphon. The safety net does not always help in this matter. The pipeline wears itself out, so cleaning is required.
2. Large particle. Sometimes the drain hole is large enough to accommodate a large object. Often this situation occurs in a family with children, small toys can fall into the drain.
3. Improper use of drain. Remember that you do not need to wash items with an abundance of dirt in the sink. Bathing dogs in the bathtub is also not good.
4. Incorrect pipe installation. The result is incorrect slope or sagging. As a result, the dirt simply cannot move on.

Determining the cause of the blockage is quite simple. With a sharp loss of operability of the drain, problems with a large object. Such a blockage is called complete. If the water does not drain well over time, then the problem is with the accumulation of dirt. This is incomplete contamination, you can recognize such a blockage by an unpleasant odor.

The blockage of the apartment sewage system is determined quite simply. You just need to open the water in two sources. In case of problems with one drain, the blockage is local. If two plums suffer, then the reason is with the riser. To cope independently in this case is unlikely to succeed.

Mechanical cleaning

To clear the blockage in the drainage system of the sink, if none of the above means helped, you can by exerting a mechanical effect on it. The most effective and easy-to-use methods of mechanical drain cleaning are:

Using a plumbing cable, which is a long and thin spring equipped with a handle on one side to rotate

With extreme caution, such a device must be used if the drain system consists of plastic elements that can simply be damaged by strong mechanical stress. The very process of using such a device is quite simple and it consists in the following: the end of the cable is placed in the drain hole and begins to push into it, while rotating the device with the handle; when the end of the cable reaches a blockage and it becomes more difficult to push it into the hole, it begins to rotate more actively, while simultaneously making it reciprocate

When pushing the cable into the drain hole, it is necessary to periodically let hot water from the tap into it so that it flushes off the particles of contaminants that have already lagged behind the walls of the pipes.

You can break through the blockage in the drain system of the sink using a vacuum cleaner if it has a back-blowing function. The cleaning algorithm, when using such a device, is as follows: the vacuum cleaner hose is connected to the hole of the device, from which air is blown out: the other end of the hose is wrapped with a cloth and placed in the drain hole; the device is first switched on at the minimum blowing speed, which is gradually increased.
A blockage in the drainage system of the sink can be localized in the siphon of the device, which can be removed, cleaned and washed its inner walls from all contaminants present on them. In addition, by removing the siphon, you can get to the blockages located in the drain system below it, using a brush, a brush with a long handle, or any other suitable device.