Nothing stops up your daily routine like a clogged drain. Whether your kitchen sink is overflowing or your bathroom sink is flooded, this situation can get messy fast. You can always call the plumbers at Masters for 24/7 sink repair in Indianapolis, but before you pick up the phone, try these DIY techniques for a quick fix. To clear deep clogs and prevent slow drainage from coming back, give us a call any time.
Common Causes of Clogged Sinks
Unfortunately, many materials can easily build up and clog the drains in your bathroom and kitchen sinks. Soap scum, hair, solid waste, food particles, grease, mineral residue, and foreign objects are some of the things that can create a clog. There are different techniques for removing clogs yourself, though not every method works for every cause. Below, we discuss some ways you can attempt a sink unclogging yourself and when to apply each method.
Hot Water and Dish Soap
A good rule of thumb is to never pour oil or grease down your drain. If oil or grease does end up in your kitchen sink and clogs your drain, don’t fret! Often, simply combining hot water with dish soap is an effective way to cut through these tough substances. Hot, soapy water can break down and emulsify oil and grease so that they can be fully flushed down your drain, removing the clog. Boil water, mix a good amount of dish soap into it, and pour the mixture down the drain. Complete by running more hot water down the drain until the clog disperses.
Shop Vac
Vacuuming out a clog may not be a method you’d initially think of, but it can be surprisingly effective. Also known as a wet/dry vacuum, this method is useful for solid clogs including food waste, hair, and other small objects. After ensuring the filter is clean, flip the shop vac to its “wet” setting, place the hose at the entrance of the drain, and create a seal with tape or a plunger to improve the suction. Then, turn on the device to its highest setting until the clog is removed.
Homemade Bottle Plunger
Using a homemade bottle plunger is an easy way to remove small, softer clogs when you don’t have a plunger readily available. If you have an empty 2-liter bottle lying around, cut off the top of it, flip it upside down so that the cut-off opening fits into the drain, and simply squeeze the bottle to create a suction within your drain until the clog is eliminated.
Use Your Bare Hands
If you don’t have proper tools for clog removal, using your bare hands may also be enough. For this method, all you need to do is place your palm down flat on the entrance to the drain. From here, simply move your hand up and down as you would with a plunger to create a suction. This technique can be used for minor clogs.
Wire Coat Hanger
Drain snakes are tools used to break down and remove small, easy-to-shred objects, and usually clumps of hair. If you don’t have a drain snake on hand, a wire coat hanger can be a great alternative. To try out this method, straighten out the top part of the hanger, making sure to leave a small hook-like shape to help pull out debris. Carefully insert the hanger into the drain, slowly twisting it so that it catches onto the clog, and pull it up carefully. Repeat the method until the clog is fully removed. Be sure not to apply too much force or push the hanger down too far to avoid pipe damage.
When To Call Masters for a Clogged Sink
If these DIY methods fail to work, the Masters team will be there in no time to locate and efficiently remove your sink clogs. We offer upfront pricing and free estimates on replacement quotes so you always know what to expect from us.
A stubborn clog is no match for our trusted team. Reach out today for expert clog-removal solutions today.
