How and with what help to unclog a blockage in a sink?

A clogged sink is a common problem. It can slow down the use of the sink in the bathroom or kitchen for a long time and even cause an accident. Some blockages can be handled by hand, while others require an immediate call to emergency services. Therefore, it is important to know in advance the methods of cleaning pipes, folk remedies and ways to prevent the formation of blockages are effective. All these nuances will be discussed in this article.

At first glance, it seems that there are many reasons for the formation of blockages.

However, they can all be conditionally divided into 2 groups.

• A blockage is formed as a result of a foreign object entering the pipe - food debris, buttons, solid objects.
• The occurrence of blockage is associated with deposits on the inner surface of the pipes, as a result of which their clearance decreases, and water does not escape well. These build-ups can be composed of fat and other deposits.

It is important to understand the reason why the sink is clogged., since the choice of a method to eliminate the problem depends on this. When large objects enter the pipe, mechanical cleaning methods are usually used. When reducing the diameter of the pipe due to deposits on its surface, resort to chemical methods. Combined blockages require alternating chemical and then mechanical cleaning methods. As a rule, you can break through such blockages at home with your own hands.

Depending on the etiology, the "plug" in the tube can be of several types.

• Operational blockage arises as a result of prolonged use of the sink and the lack of preventive cleaning. As a rule, in this case, the pipes from the inside are covered with a layer of oily plaque, small particles of food, hair.
• Mechanical. The cause of its occurrence is a large object trapped in a pipe.
• Technical the view is due to improper installation of the pipeline system, defective components. It is noteworthy that such a blockage may not appear immediately, but some time after the start of operation. Only a change in the movement of water pipes, replacement of units will help to cope with the problem.

A severe blockage can be caused by a foreign object entering the common house riser. Such situations are dangerous, since it is not possible to eliminate the blockage on our own. The problem is usually found not only in one pipe, for example, in the bathroom, but also in the kitchen and even the toilet (in the sewer). The water does not leave and, moreover, it comes on its own, filling the sinks, the toilet bowl and threatening to flood the room.

As already mentioned, the first step is to try to understand the cause of the blockage. If the common building pipe on the riser is clogged, you should immediately seek help from a plumber. If the blockage is local, you need to try to establish its cause and choose the appropriate method of elimination. If there are any utensils left in the kitchen sink, they should be removed and the water drained from the sink. One of the cleaning methods involves the use of baking soda.Removing the blockage with baking soda is available, but will only help with small blockages.

To clean the pipe, pour 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar, wait for the chemical reaction (the composition starts to fizzle) and pour into the drain hole. You should not mix the components in a glass, it is better to take a large container. After waiting 10 minutes, drain the hot water. Another option to clean the sink is to pour a glass of salt into the drain hole, then pour boiling water over it. By the way, boiling water is the most faithful assistant if you want to dissolve fat from the inner walls of the pipes. You just need to pour 1-2 liters of boiling water into the drain hole. If you have metal pipes, feel free to pour boiling water, if plastic pipes, there is enough hot water that flows from the tap.

Cleaning of pipes should be carried out taking into account the nature of the blockage, this is the only way to guarantee a quick positive result. If it is required to remove a lump of tea leaves frozen in the pipe, you can pour the best remedy for blockages into the drain in liters, but only a plunger will help to remove it. That is why questions about which is better - special gels or a plunger are meaningless. There is a remedy for each type of blockage.

Bleach (whiteness, bleach) will be no less effective. It is better to use the most inexpensive option, since it is more concentrated. The liquid is poured into the drain (200-300 ml), left for 10 minutes. After the specified time, hot water should be put into the pipe.

There are various methods of eliminating the "plug" in the sink.

• Mechanical. It involves the creation of a water hammer, which pushes the blockage. A plunger or improvised means helps to create it, with the help of which it is also possible to create a water blow. A plumbing cable is also a mechanical tool for cleaning pipes.
• Chemical. It involves the use of various acid-based or alkaline-based compounds that dissolve internal deposits on the pipes, which helps to restore their permeability. Chemicals can be store-bought or home-made; when using them, you should protect mucous membranes and skin. Acid-based compounds can be too aggressive and are therefore not recommended for plastic pipes.
• Folk - mechanical and chemical methods, which are carried out not with tools and compounds specially designed to eliminate blockages, but with those that are at hand. For example, water hammering can be done with a stick on which rags are wound, and fat can be dissolved with citric acid.

Sink cleaning chemicals come in liquid, tablet or powder form. The second type usually takes more time to clear the blockage; manufacturers recommend leaving the tablet overnight. It is not recommended to use the sink while there is a blockage in the pipe. Liquids are also poured into the drain hole in the amount specified in the instructions. The manufacturer also writes the exposure time, exceeding which is fraught with unforeseen results. It is necessary to wash off the chemical compounds thoroughly, preferably with hot water at maximum pressure. If the effect is not achieved after the first application or is not pronounced, you can repeat the procedure. To do this, use the same composition that was used for the first time. It is unacceptable to pour all available blockages into the pipe. Their components, in contact with each other, can enter into chemical reactions that have an unpredictable outcome (for example, they can provoke an explosion).

A large number of pipe cleaning chemicals are available today. The most powerful and effective are the domestic composition "Krot", the more expensive imported analogue - "Tiret", as well as "Mister Muskul". It is not recommended to use products of unknown brands. "Mole" has an unpleasant odor and is dangerous to humans. The product is acid-based and is therefore not recommended for cleaning aluminum and plastic pipes. For the latter, it is better to use "Tiret" or "Mister Muscle". The leader among such products is Chirton Clean Gutters in the form of granules. One sachet is enough for a single use. The agent is poured into the drain, the action time is 15 minutes.

Potkhan granules have a similar composition, but more aggressive action. The disadvantage is the pungent smell of the product. Recommended for removing severe blockages. As a preventive measure, you need to use a "softer" product. For example, the Sanox: clean runoff gel, the bottle of which is designed for 2 applications. It will not cope with a large "traffic jam", but from a small congestion and as a preventive measure it will be an excellent option.

Regardless of the drug used, it is important to follow these guidelines:

• strictly follow the rules specified in the manufacturer's instructions;
• protect the skin of the hands and respiratory organs, do not allow the composition to come into contact with the mucous membranes;
• keep these funds away from children;
• use formulations in well-ventilated areas;
• wash off with plenty of water;
• do not use different formulations at the same time or one after another.

The first helpers for removing blockages are the salt, soda and boiling water that are always available in the kitchen. You can enhance the effect by mixing salt with baking soda or adding vinegar to the baking soda. Loose cork can be removed using granular laundry detergent. 3 scoops of powder are poured into the drain hole, after which the water is turned on for 5 minutes. It is better if the water is hot at maximum pressure.

If possible, the direction of the jet should go directly to the drain. Instead of water, you can use the hot broth after boiling the potatoes. It will not only help dissolve fatty deposits, but also get rid of an unpleasant odor. If these methods are ineffective, and there is a sewer smell throughout the house, you should submit an application to the housing office and call a plumber. The reason for the bad smell is in the blockage of the sewer pipes. When a specialist cleans them, you can repeat the steps with bleach.

Odor can occur when cracks form in cast iron pipes. In this case, they must be replaced or (if the crack is small and single), the crack is sealed with cement of a viscous consistency. Another popular method demonstrates effectiveness. 2 tablets of "Alka-Seltzer" (pharmacy drug for intoxication and hangover syndrome) are placed in the drain hole and filled with a glass of vinegar. The reaction should go on for at least 2 minutes, after which hot water should be turned on under high pressure. This method allows you to get rid of a small plug and eliminate the unpleasant smell from the pipe.

Mechanical methods involve cleaning the pipe by creating a powerful water hammer that literally knocks out the plug. Usually a plunger is used for these purposes.

Using it is quite simple:

• The drain hole is closed with a plunger bowl. It is important that its diameter is larger than the diameter of the drain.
• Holding the tool by the handle, make a few jerks towards the pipe, drain.
• You need to do 15-20 such movements, after which you sharply pull the plunger up.

If there is water left in the sink, you do not need to empty it out before using the plunger. The main thing is to position the tool bowl so that it is covered with water. If there is an overflow hole in the sink or bathroom, it must be closed (with a special stopper or rag), otherwise cleaning will be useless.If the action does not bring the desired effect, you can pour a mixture of salt and soda, taken in equal proportions, into the drain hole. After that, you need to pour 200 ml of hot water into the drain, wait 15 minutes and start punching the "plug" with a plunger.

If debris or other contaminants come out of the drain after using the device, they must not be rinsed back, but removed with a paper towel or toilet paper and discarded in the trash can. This device is not the only tool that allows you to break through the plug. It is possible to create a water hammer without a plunger, for example, using a plumbing cable.

Its use implies the following actions:

• The cable must be pushed into the drain hole until you feel that it rests on something.
• Once you feel the blockage, start making up and down movements with it, while scrolling it.
• As soon as you feel that the cable slides along the pipe without encountering obstacles, the blockage is removed.

Instead of a cable, if one is not available, improvised things with a similar design, for example, a country hose of a suitable diameter, will do. The mechanical methods of getting rid of the plug include unscrewing and further cleaning the siphon. The first step is to place an empty bucket under the sink. The next step is to remove the siphon using a wrench. Then, wearing gloves or using a screwdriver, clean the inner surface of the siphon, rinse those parts that you managed to remove (for example, the cover). After that, assemble the siphon, check the tightness of the device.

• The most reliable preventive method is to prevent foreign objects and grease from entering the sink siphon. To do this, the sink in the kitchen must be equipped with a removable mesh installed on the drain hole. It will prevent food particles from entering the drain.
• Dishes should be started with mechanical cleaning, i.e. removal of food particles or tea leaves. Do not drain post-fry fat or fatty broth into the sink. Greasy dishes are first carefully wiped with a paper towel, which is thrown into the trash can.
• Similarly, you should approach the cleaning of the teapot. The dormant tea is thrown away, after which the walls of the dishes are wiped with a paper towel. Only then can you start washing. The fact is that, getting into the pipe, the tea leaves get stuck in its bends, and gradually this lump grows and becomes tough. As a result, a plug is formed, and in a hard-to-reach place.
• Similarly, a plug will form when paper or pet litter enters the pipe. At first, they are easily washed off into the drain hole, but then they settle on the pipe walls and increase in size. The result is a severe blockage, which cannot be eliminated by chemical means.

• Use a fat-soluble detergent to wash the dishes. Make it a rule to wipe down the sink with the same product after each use and rinse it with hot water. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to turn on hot water for half a minute daily in the evenings.
• Once a week, 3-5 liters of boiling water can be flushed down the sink. After 5-10 minutes, you should use a plunger. Such actions are easy to do yourself, they will dissolve fat plugs and get rid of small blockages.
• An effective prophylactic agent is a composition based on citric acid, soda and salt. The ratio of the last two components should be the same, citric acid - only half. The resulting composition is mixed and poured into the pipe, after which a glass of boiling water is poured there. After waiting 5 minutes, drain off a large amount of warm water.

• You can also periodically use blockages as a preventive measure. It is recommended to use them once or twice a year.Excessive use of harsh chemicals can rupture plastic pipes and damage the lining of a sink or bathtub. It is necessary to pour the composition into the pipe at night, and in the morning to wash it off with plenty of water. This will help prevent blockage and quickly remove any small blockage.
• Installing a special grinder in the sink will help prevent food particles from entering the pipe. Before purchasing it, make sure that the selected device is compatible with your installed plumbing.
• If cleaning the pipes with your own hands does not bring a positive result, then you will need the help of a plumber. It will most likely use an automatic pipe cleaner or jet nozzle.

How to clear the blockage with folk remedies, see the next video.