You’ve cleaned the house and all that’s left is the kitchen sink, washing up the dishes or placing them in the dishwasher. However, once you come to this particular job, you realise the sink is blocked, it could be the same with your bathroom. This is always a job you’re going to hate, but today we’re going to give you a few time saving tips for unblocking drains and sinks.
Slowly draining water and 2 cups of soda and vinegar
If the sink has become partially blocked, in that the water is slowly going down but is still draining, then you may be able to do something about it before it turns into something worse. Pour around 2 cups of baking soda and 2 cups of white vinegar into the drain. Hopefully both should provoke a reaction and dislodge whatever it is that’s causing the water to drain poorly.
Plungers, and unscrewing the pipes to release the blockage
If that doesn’t work the next step is to try a plunger and this may remove the blockage. If that isn’t working, you could try something a little more invasive before calling in the professionals, such as ourselves. Lay a washing up bowl and towel under the U bend under the sink and grip the pipe wearing rubber gloves. Unscrew it, but do it slowly so you aren’t covered in water, and then gently empty the contents into the washing up bowl. You can also use a coat hanger if the blockage isn’t coming out of the pipe. Always remember to fix the pipe back tightly so you’ll have the security of knowing it won’t open by itself.
Prevention is always better than cure
If you don’t enjoy dealing with issues like this (and who does?), then making sure it doesn’t happen again is important. You can do this by placing all food in a bin if it’s no longer required or in a food recycling bin. Don’t dispose of it down the sink because this is how you get a blockage. Cleaning the drain in the way we described earlier to remove a simple blockage, which was baking soda and vinegar, can be used on a monthly basis to keep the sink clean and help you to avoid future blockages.
The East of Scotland Drainage Company – for fast effective solutions for sink unblocking and drains
If you have a more serious blockage and you need advice on how to move forward, or you simply want us to come and sort it out, then give us a call. One of our team will be more than happy to take your call and help you find a way forward.