Safe & Effective Ways to Clean & Unclog Any Sink Drain

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If your drains are clogged and give out a bad smell then it’s time to clean and unclog the sink drain. The drains are clogged for many reasons, such as the buildup of grease and oil, food particles or hair attached inside the pipes, and difficult to take off. This results in the slow draining of water and it is frustrating.

To clean up the clogged drains there are many ways to clean it out. Clogging in the drains is due to many reasons but cleaning and unclogging it as early as possible. So buckle up, here in this article we discuss the safe and effective ways to clean and unclog the sink drain and get rid of the bad smells immediately.

Evaluating the Clog

When it comes to unclogging the sink drain, it’s crucial to evaluate the severity of the clog. The evaluation depends on factors such as.

The Severity of the Clog

To clean and unclog any sink drain first determine the severity of the clog. Some sink clogs are partially small and opened by doing some DIY remedies. In contrast, some are big and require a professional inspection. The smaller clogs in the drains are often due to the soap scum, oil or grease, or food particles that are stuck in the pipe. This reduces the pipe’s volume and the flow of water through the pipe. So before doing any remedy, understand the severity of the clog and then start the next steps.

The Composition of the Clog

After determining the severity of the clog, the next is to know what type of composition it is. Know what composition of the items is the main culprit. Where is the clogged whether it is in the shower drain, kitchen sink, or the bathroom?

If the clog is in the kitchen sink it is due to the food particles or vegetable or fruit peeling that accumulate in the pipe. The food particles or grease may dissolve, but the dissolving of vegetables or fruit peel can take more time. If the clog is in the bathroom sink it is due to the chemical shampoos or hair and it requires professional help for this type of removal. However, if it is due to soft tissue paper, the tool plunger can handle this.

Know the Location of the Clog

The next is to know the location of the clog whether the clogged drain is indoor or outdoor. The indoor clogged drain is easy to identify but the outdoor clogged drain is challenging and also requires a different technique.

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What Tools are Needed to Unclog the Drain?

Following are the tools and items needed to unclog the drain.

• Plunger
• Snake
• Wire hanger
• Bucket and sponge
• Gloves and goggles for safety

If you need the necessary tools and equipment you can also get help from the septic tank inspection team.

Effective Ways to Unclog and Clean the Sink Drains

The clogs are difficult to open up because there is a lot of debris that is stuck inside and outside of the sink drains. For cleaning and unclogging the sink drains follow these steps.

A clean Plunger

The plunger can help unclog all types of sink drains. To open up the sink drain, use a clean plunger. Remove the strain stopper and if your sink does not have enough water, add more water to it. If your sink has two drains, cover one working side with a rag, and do not let the water flow through the drain. After covering the sink drain, focus on the flow of air. Repeat this process until the water does not drain completely.

DIY Methods

DIY methods work effectively in cleaning and unclogging drains. To start unclogging the drains, first, remove the standing water from the sink with the help of a scoop. Pour the warm water down the drain, using a baking soda, and then add more water. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes and allow the mixture to fizz in your drain. You can also add the vinegar for more benefits.

This mixture works effectively in cleaning and clogging the drain sink.

You can also use the hot boiling water and soap mixture. Pour any liquid soap directly into the sink drain and then pour some hot boiling water. The liquid soap works well in removing and cutting down the grease, oil, soap scum, and particles that accumulate in your sink.

Use the Chemical Drain Openers

If you try the DIY clog opening method and this does not work effectively, use the chemical drain opener cleaners. They work effectively in opening the clogs, but before using it carefully read the instructions. Pour this cleaner into the drain and wait for at least 30- 40 mins, allow the mixture to sit so that it works more effectively, then flush the sink with hot boiling water.

Emptying the Trap 

If the above methods do not work effectively, the other method is emptying the trap by taking the pipe from the sink. To clean out the trap, unscrew the pipe from the sink manually or with the help of a wrench tool. After this, remove the food particles from the trap and also wash the trap and pipe.

Use the bent hanger

The bent hanger works very effectively in cleaning and unclogging the sink drain. Untwist the bent hanger wire and put this wire down the clogged drain. Move this bent hanger into the clogged drain and wait for a few minutes. You will probably pull out the leftover food particles, soap scum, hair, and other things that are stuck and you throw those residues in the garbage.

Use the Drain Snake

If your drains are clogged then use the drain snake. It is like the long metal wire that is used to unclog the obstruction inside the sink drain. This is the most effective tool to break down stubborn clogs. The drain snake is also called the plumber snake, drain auger, or just an auger.

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How to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains?

Preventing the drain from unclogging is better than their treatment. For prevention of the clogs in your drain follow these things. 

• Flush only toilet paper.
• Don’t throw away the plastic items in the drain.
• Throw away the waste and greasy food items.
• Use the trap.
• Regularly clean and maintain the drains.

Conclusion

Unclogging the sink drain is essential to prevent it from smelling. If your pipes are clogged follow the above steps. The DIY methods are also effective in cleaning the drains. To unclog and clean the drains, evaluate the severity, composition, and location of the clogged drain.

The ways to clean and unclog the sink drains are to use a method of vinegar and hot water, baking soda mixture, and soap mixture, using a plunger, drain snake, or bent hanger. Cleaning and maintenance are essential for the drains to function properly.

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