We have all been there. You are at the bathroom or kitchen sink, washing dishes, shaving, or brushing your teeth when you realize that the water is not going down the drain. You’re looking down at a puddle!
You have tried professional drain clog cleaning products in the past, but they don’t seem to work.
So, how do you unclog a sink?
Here are a few DIY maintenance tips you can try by using items lying around your home.
Tip 1: Use a Shirt Hanger
The first method of unclogging your sink that seems to work wonders is by using a wire hanger.
Wire hangers are harder to come by these days, but if you have one, take it out of your closet and take it apart, so you make it as straight as possible.
It is impossible to make it perfectly straight, and that is the point. The clog is likely some hair or solid gunk, so the jagged part of the hanger will pull that gunk up so you can dispose of it.
Be careful not to scratch your sink. Lead the hanger down as far as you can, move it around a bit, then pull it back up and dispose of what comes up.
Tip 2: Baking Soda and White Vinegar
If the hanger doesn’t work, the second trick to unclogging a sink is to do a little science experiment and dig the baking soda and white vinegar out of your cupboard.
First, pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.
Then, pour one cup of white vinegar.
Finally, place a rubber stopper over the sink hole and wait 15 minutes. Then run HOT water down the drain to officially release the clog.
It should be known that white vinegar is a miracle product. It can do a million things, including:
Cleaning windows
Cleaning blinds
Keep your flowers fresh
Cleaning microwaves
Get pet urine out of carpets
And so much more!
Keep in mind that hot water on its own can help unclog the drain. Especially boiling water. Pour it slowly down the drain, and that might solve your issue.
Tip 3: Open the Pipe Under the Sink
Reading the title of this third tip to unclogging a sink may seem complicated, but it really isn’t.
By unscrewing the pipe under the sink, you will be able to physically take the hair or food that is clogging the sink and throw it out so your sink will work normally again.
Make sure the faucet is not running.
Start by getting a small to medium-sized bucket and put it under the U-shaped pipe that is under your sink.
Now, unscrew the lower side of the pipe and expect some water to pour out. Then unscrew the higher side of the pipe.
At this point, you can literally take the U-shaped piece and pull the gunk out of it. Then take the gunk out of the straight part that connects to it.
Once done, screw the top part and then the bottom part and tighten it snuggly.
Wrap Up and Final Notes
By completing one of these three steps, you should be successful in clearing your clog while saving hundreds of dollars to pay a plumber to do the same thing.
However, if you find that you have a bigger issue, then you may want to contact a licensed plumber.
Just remember not to let a clog or build-up last too long, or it could cause additional damage.
Comments