Unclogging Your Sink: You Can Do It!

Blocked sink drains are annoying and can bring on some anxiety as we anticipate the water overflowing onto our floor. Stay calm; there are several processes you can try to unclog your sink on your own, and John The Plumber Ottawa is here to advise you on exactly what to do:

Hot Water

Sometimes, all that is needed is some boiling water to break up whatever is blocking your sink. Run the water down your line for about five to ten minutes. Watch the sink closely; if it does not start to drain properly we have another process for you to try.

Plunger

You should now try using your plunger to unblock your sink. If you do not own a plunger you can get one at your local plumbing hardware store for about $3.00 – $4.00.While you are at the store, it’s also a good idea to buy a bottle of Draino. Go home, put the Draino aside for the moment and plunge your sink (push down gently first, get a good seal then plunge vigorously).

Draino

If you still not getting any results, then your blocked sink drain may be caused by material down in your sink trap (curvy pipe below your drain underneath the sink!). If you’re hesitant to open up the sink trap try the Draino. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and if it does not work out, then you need to open up the sink trap to remove the blockage.

Sink Trap

You will need to first reduce the water in the sink to open the sink trap and clean the blockage. Use a bucket to collect the rest of the water in your blocked sink. Once you untie the sink trap, use a bottle brush to clean the inside properly; it’s the best way to remove all the dirt that was trapped. Giving it a good clean will help in reducing dirt build up. Once you are done cleaning, reassemble the sink trap and run boiled water through the pipes to flush out any missed dirt left inside the pipes. Then turn on your taps as you normally would and see if your sink is running normally again.

If you carefully and correctly follow the above instructions, your sink block should disappear. However, if your sink is blocked there could be a larger issue; at this point it’s advisable to pick up the phone and give us a call at John The Plumber; we’ll be happy to send over one of our licensed professionals to rectify the problem at once.

TIP: Draino is a powerful and toxic substance; keep away from children!

To discover more on the full range of services offered by our Ottawa-based John the Plumber, please call our offices today at 613-227-7465 or visit our business website at johntheplumber.ca

#Plumbing #Plumbers #Ottawa #JohnThePlumber #BestPlumbers #Drains #DrainCleaning #CloggedSinks #HotWater #Plunger #SinkTrap