A blocked sink is a common plumbing issue that can be quite disturbing. It’s caused by clogs from food residues, grease and dried cooking oil, which block the water flow in the pipes. Clogging can also be caused by fur build-up when the water used for washing up is too hard, or by blockages in the house’s general plumbing system when the pipes are poorly positioned.
In all cases, you need to act quickly to keep on doing the dishes in good conditions. Depending on how serious the situation is, it’s not always necessary to rush to the nearest plumber to unblock a sink.
From old-fashioned tricks to manual solutions and chemical products, here are a few ways to unclog a sink yourself.
Boiling water
A moderately clogged sink in which water continues to flow slowly can easily be unclogged with boiling water. Simply pour a full saucepan of water down the drain to clear the small blockages and get the water flowing again. Before resorting to drastic measures, it’s a good idea to start with this simple tip, which can prove highly effective.
Chemical drain cleaner with soda
A chemical drain cleaner is the best solution as soon as the blockage completely prevents the flow of water. To ensure its effectiveness, we strongly advise you to choose a product that contains a high concentration of soda, but which does not attack enamel or pipes, so as to avoid any irreparable damage to pipes. IMPEC drain cleaner gel, for example, comes in the form of a gel that concentrates directly on the blockage. Simply pour the indicated quantity of product into the sink, leave to act until the clog has dissolved under the effect of the soda, and then rinse with clear water.
This solution is recommended over other products such as caustic soda flakes, which are particularly corrosive and dangerous to the skin.
After use, close the product tightly and keep it out of the reach of children.
The plunger
This solution can be just as effective as drain cleaners, but requires more elbow grease. A plunger is a tool used to manually unclog a blocked sink.
To do so, start by plugging the water overflow with a wet cloth, thus preventing air from passing through. On the sink side, place the plunger at the trap, then fill the bottom with water to cover the rubber. Once the rubber has adhered well, move it back and forth to create an air suction effect.
Water should drain normally after a few minutes.
Unclogging with a plumber’s snake
DIY enthusiasts can try their hand at unclogging the sink with this manual method too. It may be all the more necessary when the blockage is located beyond the trap, as the plumber’s snake can penetrate deep into the pipes and collect the residues.
Il est possible de créer un furet à partir d’un cintre : il faudra le tordre pour lui donner une forme de crochet.
Then you need to sink it into the trap until it hits the clog, then turn it inside to break down the waste and recover the larger pieces. Repeat the process until the plumber’s snake can easily get into the trap and the water drains normally.
Disassembling the siphon
This method is recommended when the waste causing the blockage has piled up in the trap. The trap plays a vital role in the sink’s drainage system, since it permanently holds a small reserve of water to prevent odours from rising up the drain.
It is therefore very important to keep it clean and disassemble it if necessary to avoid unpleasant odours and ensure that the water flows properly into the sink.
To this end, start by placing a basin on top of the trap to catch the water that has pooled there, and the leak-proof seal that will inevitably fall out too. Then unscrew the trap, clean the plugs and rinse thoroughly.
Once everything has been reassembled, pour water into the sink to check that there is no longer a clog in the system, and refill the trap with its water supply.
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