Pro Blocked Drains is a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year, emergency drainage company providing services for blocked drains. We have a network of local drainage experts covering the UK who can help you with your drain blockage problem.

0800 6118277

info@blockeddrains.com

What’s the Best Way to Unblock a Sink?

Get In Touch






    Drains get blocked on occasion and unclogging your drain is always an unpleasant task and can take a long time to get the job done. However, there are many different ways to do it and some of them are quicker than others. Here’s how you can unblock your sink quickly:

    Best Way to Unblock a Sink

    Preparing to unclog the sink

      n

    • Turn off the water supply.
    • n

    • Remove any objects that might be blocking the sink by hand if you can reach them.
    • n

    • Find a plunger, or use a bucket to catch the water that will come out when you do this.
    • n

    • Find some chemical drain cleaner and pour it into your blocked sink, following instructions on how much to use for your particular situation or type of clog (if there are no instructions, start by pouring one cup full down all drains in your home).
    • n

    Unblocking the drain using a plunger

    n

    If you’re dealing with a blocked drain, the first course of action is to use a plunger. Place the plunger firmly in your sink, and push down on it until you can feel resistance. Then pull up (don’t push down).

    n

    This should loosen any clogs that may be present. Repeat this step two more times, and then push down again while holding one end of the plunger against your sink’s lip so that it remains stable as you pull up on its handle with both hands. You can also try pushing down and then pulling up three times in quick succession before repeating these steps once more; this should clear out any remaining debris from inside your drain pipe.

    n

    Pro Tip: the plunger relies on a vacuum being created to dislodge the debris so by smearing a little vaseline around the edge of the cup before using it, you will create a tighter seal.

    n

    Using drain rods to unblock the drain

    n

    If a plunger doesn’t work, head over to Amazon or to your local hardware store and buy a drain rod. These are made of plastic or metal and have a hook on one end that can be used to pull out any items that are clogging the sink’s pipes. The best part? They are cheap to buy!

    n

    Use a drain snake or auger

    n

    Similar to a drain rod is a drain snake. This is a flexible metal spiral that is wound into the drain either by hand or attached to an electric drill and as it twists it collects pieces of the debris which can then be pulled back out.

    n

    Use chemicals to unblock drains

    n

    There are a number of different chemicals that can be used to unblock a sink, but some are better than others. While some drain unblockers are effective and safe, others have unwanted side effects that make them unsuitable for use in the home.

    n

    Drainage chemicals come in many different forms. Some have been formulated to work in conjunction with water to flush away debris blocking your pipes (such as salt-based products), while others act as heavy-duty cleaners that remove residue from all surfaces around your home (such as bleach).

    n

    While you should always take care when using any chemical product inside your house – especially one designed for industrial use – there are some safer options available on the market today too!

    n

    Which chemical cleaners should I use?

    n

    Which chemical cleaner you ultimately choose to use will depend on the nature of the debris that is blocking your drains. It is important to use the correct formula to ensure that it works otherwise you could literally be throwing money down the drain. As a guideline, here are a few suggestions:

    n

    Oil and grease: Buster Kitchen Drain Unblocker

    n

    Hair: Elbow Grease Drain Unblocker

    n

    Food and kitchen waste: Mr. Muscle Drain Unblocker, Heavy Duty Sink and Drain Cleaning Gel

    n

    General purpose: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner for Shower or Sink Drains

    n

    Take caution when using chemicals

    n

    Drain unblockers in Corfe Castle are designed to break down the blockages in your pipes and it goes without saying that the stronger the chemical used, the more likely it will be effective quickly. But strong chemicals could damage the drain pipes, and septic tanks, and even harm you or your family, or your pets. So, choosing the right one and handling it with care is essential.

    n

    Here are a few steps you should take when handling drain-unblocking chemicals:

      n

    • Always use protective gloves when handling the chemicals, especially if you have any skin allergies or complaints.
    • n

    • Wear protective eye goggles to prevent any splashes from entering your eyes.
    • n

    • Ensure the room is well-ventilated when you are unblocking the drain with chemicals.
    • n

    • If the chemical drain unblocker doesn’t work straight away, do not mix it with another chemical–there is a risk that the combination could create a poisonous gas (bleach is a notorious offender in doing this).
    • n

    • Store any unused chemical well out of reach of children or animals.
    • n

    Final Words

    n

    So, if you have a blocked sink, you can try to unblock it using any of the methods we have suggested. Once the water is flowing freely again, you should then make sure that the problem doesn’t happen again by:

      n

    • using a drain sieve to catch any larger debris that may be flushed into the drain
    • n

    • taking care to dispose of grease and oil properly and always soaking greasy pans in detergent to dissolve the grease before washing them
    • n

    • never pour coffee grains or tea leaves down the sink but rather add them to your compost
    • n

    • using maintenance products such as drain unblockers or chemicals on a regular basis to keep your drain pipes clear and prevent any blockages from happening as a result of debris build-up.
    • n

    How can Pro Blocked Drains help you?

    n

    If you are having trouble with your drains and are looking for a drain unblocking service, then Pro Blocked Drains are the right people to come to. As a national UK company with over 20 years of experience working with all types of drainage systems, we have extensive expertise in all manner of drainage systems and drainage problems. What’s more, we have engineers based locally in Corfe Castle, so are literally right on your doorstep.

    n

    Our aim is to provide you with the very best service so you will keep coming back to us for all your plumbing and drainage needs. With Pro Blocked Drains we guarantee you:

      n

    • Fully Qualified Safe Contractor Approved Workers
    • n

    • Quick Response Time
    • n

    • Full Indemnity Insurance
    • n

    • Competitive Prices
    • n

    • 24/7 drain services
    • n

    • Availability 365 days of the year
    • n

    • No Call Out Fee
    • n

    • Free Quotations
    • n

    • Friendly service
    • n

    • Guaranteed Work
    • n

    • 5-star rating
    • n

    • Peace of mind
    • n

    If you are based in Corfe Castle or the surrounding areas and need more information about our services, please get in touch with us today either by dropping us an email or calling on 0800 611 82 99.

    n

    Our friendly knowledgeable staff is always happy to help and we will give you a free quote for all work carried out by our team of specialists. We also offer a 24/7/365 emergency service for any urgent repairs you may require.