It will not be a secret to anyone that plumbing in a residential area needs special care. Otherwise, it may simply deteriorate. Surely everyone has faced the problem of a clogged sink. This is quite natural, because during the operation of plumbing equipment, various human waste products continually get into it, preventing the normal flow of water. Faced with this, most people immediately call the plumber. However, the help of a specialist is not at all necessary, since there are many options for solving the problem. Let's look at how to clean up the garbage in the sink at home in various ways. By following the instructions given, you can quickly and easily return it to service.
Causes of clogged pipes
This aspect should be given special attention. Before we talk about how to clear a blockage in the sink, let's first understand why it gets clogged. Among the most common causes are the following:
- Formation of plaque on the inner walls of the pipe, reducing its diameter.
- Food or other foreign objects getting into the sink.
- Mechanical damage to communications, resulting in disruption of the normal drain.
- Incorrect tilt angle when installing equipment.
Regardless of the cause of the problem, the solutions are the same. Each of them will be discussed in detail below.
Cleaning Methods
So, how to clean the blockage in the sink at home? The solution to the problem largely depends on the cause. If the equipment was installed incorrectly, then everything must be redone in compliance with the correct angle. If the pipe is clogged, then you can clean it in one of the following ways:
- mechanical (by plunger or plumbing cable);
- soda and vinegar;
- household chemicals;
- hydraulic pump;
- folk remedies.
Each method is effective in its own way, but has its own nuances. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Preparatory stage
What is he? Before proceeding with the work, it is necessary to remove from under the sink all objects that may interfere. After that, remove the filter mesh and clean it. The floor should be coveredunnecessary rags, because dirty water with debris can pour out of the siphon and flood everything around. To make it easier to cope with the blockage, the sink is pre-filled with boiling water. It will soften organic formations, and they will be much more amenable to elimination.
Cleaning a blockage in the sink with a plunger
Many people are interested in the question of how to quickly remove the blockage in the sink. If it is not too old, then you can try to clean the pipe with a plunger. What is special about this method?
The procedure is as follows:
- The device is applied to the drain hole.
- Rhythmic up and down movements are made to create a kind of water hammer.
- The more active the movements, the more debris will come out of the pipe.
The main thing is not to let the garbage go back. To do this, you need to quickly install a filter mesh. If it is not there, then the hole should be plugged with a cork and pumped out water. The duration of the procedure depends on the degree of contamination.
Cleaning with a plumbing cable
How to remove blockage in the sink without a plunger? Another effective method of mechanical cleaning is "cobra". It is an elastic steel cable that is able to break through even large traffic jams.
Work is carried out according to the following scheme:
- The cable is pulled through the drain pipe until a blockage is detected. As a rule, inin most cases it is localized in the siphon.
- As soon as you find the place of accumulation of debris, start rotating the "cobra" clockwise.
- If the water starts to drain normally, then the problem is solved. But it's too early to stop. Run the plumbing cable through the pipe as far as its length will allow.
- If everything worked out, pour hot water with powder into the sink.
It is worth noting that it will not work to remove the blockage of the sink at home with the help of the "cobra" if it is too deep. In this case, you will have to dismantle the siphon and try to further clean the pipe with a cable. If you do not want to disassemble the plumbing, then you can use one of the methods that will be described below.
Cleansing with soda and vinegar
If you don't have a plunger and a cobra, then it's okay. There is one good way to clean sewer communications with the help of improvised tools that are in every home. Do you know how to clean a blockage in the sink with baking soda? If not, just follow the instructions below:
- Pour a glass of regular baking soda into the pipe.
- Then pour the same amount of vinegar.
- Leave the sink for 1 hour to allow both components to dissolve the dirt.
- Rinse the drain with boiling water.
This method is good because it is safe and environmentally friendly. In addition, both components, unlike household chemicals, are very cheap. That's whymany people are interested in how to clean a blockage in the sink with vinegar. However, this method will not be effective if food debris and other foreign objects have accumulated in the pipe. For very strong blockages, special industrial products should be used. Which are considered the best will be discussed further.
Clogging with household chemicals
Let's take a closer look at this aspect. How can you remove a blockage in the sink if soda and vinegar did not help? In this case, the best option is specialized cleaners. They are available in both liquid and powder form. Experts do not recommend the use of dry substances, as they are too concentrated and can lead to pipe damage. Gel-like ones are more gentle and safe for human he alth.
All funds are divided into two main groups - alkaline and acidic. The former are used to eliminate liquid contaminants, while the latter are able to completely dissolve even solid materials, including metal. However, at the same time, they significantly reduce the life of the pipeline, so they should be used only as a last resort. To date, the following chemical cleaners are most in demand:
- "Krot" is a Russian-made cleaner that combines good quality and relatively low price. Works well on any blockages and eliminates stench.
- "Tiret" - according to many qualified plumbers, this tool is one of the best onpresent day. The main advantage is that it can be used with any type of pipe.
- "Mr. Muscle" is a universal cleaner that allows you to quickly remove small blockages. In addition, it has a depressing effect on pathogenic microflora, preventing its spread.
How to clean a blockage in the sink with household chemicals? Each tool has its own characteristics, so you must first read the instructions for them.
The general procedure is as follows:
- The right amount of substance is poured into the drain hole.
- Leave the sink in for 30-40 minutes.
- The system is flushed with hot water.
Many cleaners are toxic and should be handled with rubber gloves.
Cleaning with hydraulic pump
How to clean the blockage in the sink, if none of the above methods helped? One of the modern methods of cleaning sewer systems is a hydraulic pump. Let's look at what is special about this method. The pump creates a pressure of about 300 atmospheres in the system, due to which any plugs and contaminants are broken and removed through pipes to the public sewer.
There are two types of equipment:
- Manual. The tank is filled with water, after which the spout is docked with the drain hole and pumping begins. The procedure is performed until the water begins to flow normally through the pipes.
- Electrical. The hose is connected to the water supply, after which the compressor is turned on, which performs all the work for the person.job.
It is worth noting that hydraulic pumps are quite expensive, so it is more advisable to rent them or order system cleaning from companies specializing in providing such services.
Cleaning folk remedies
Is it not possible to purchase expensive household chemicals or it cannot be used due to pipe incompatibility? Not a problem, because you can remove the blockage in the sink with folk remedies. One method based on the use of baking soda and vinegar has already been described above. But there are many other equally effective methods. For example, if water does not drain due to the accumulation of organic waste or fat, then table s alt can be poured into the pipe. In a few hours, it will completely corrode the resulting blockage, and you will only have to rinse the pipes with hot water.
Some people claim that aspirin tablets are good for cleaning pipes. They are thrown into the drain hole, after which a glass of vinegar is poured. However, after this procedure, the sewer system must be driven away with a strong pressure of water. This method not only allows you to eliminate even strong blockages, but also get rid of the characteristic stench.
And the last effective way is citric acid. It is necessary to dilute 40 grams of crystallized powder in three liters of hot water and pour the liquid into the drain hole. If your house has plastic pipes, then you first need to cool it a little.
Prevention measures
The question above was answered in detail on how to clean a blockage in the sink. All the cleaning methods described work well and allow you to quickly solve the problem. However, there are a few general rules, thanks to which you will never have pipes clogged. These include:
- Use the sink only for its intended purpose, namely for washing dishes. Do not pour tea leaves or leftover food into it.
- Cover the drain hole with a filter mesh. It will prevent large and small debris from entering the siphon and pipe.
- After you have washed the dishes, leave the water on for a while to wash away the remaining grease and dirt from the walls of the siphon.
- Rinse the drain several times a month with boiling water and baking soda.
Besides this, if you are planning a renovation, then replace the metal pipes with plastic ones. They are more practical and durable to use, as well as not subject to corrosion, so they will clog much less often.
Conclusion
As you can see, cleaning the sink is much easier than most people think. Therefore, if you are faced with a similar problem, then you should not immediately call a plumber. Try to clear the blockage yourself using any of the methods described in this article. In extreme cases, you can completely disassemble the siphon and clean it, because it is in it that garbage most often accumulates due to its specific design. If nothing helps, then you can turn to professionals for help. But as practice shows,most of the time it doesn't come to that.
