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How to tackle a blocked sink?

Blocked sink can be a real inconvenience, especially as the temperatures rise. Read our blog to find out easy solutions to tackle this common problem.

Blocked sink - we've all encountered the horrors of it, the unpleasant smell, the monster-sound of the pipes, as the water drains, and the puddle of waste water which takes a century to drain. OK, maybe it's not a real horror show, but it's not what you want to find home after a long workday.

Spring always seems to be the time for blocked sinks as well. We wash more fresh products, dirty gardening hands, and cook for guests and holidays. Queue the regular sink blockages, and the plumbing bills.

But it doesn't have to be like this; in fact a regular person is completely capable of dealing with a blocked sink. In this blog, we'll show you a few ways of tackling a blocked sink, but beware: it is not a job for people who are easily grossed out.

Simple ways to deal with a blocked sink:

Vinegar and baking soda

Name a more iconic duo, I'll wait. Vinegar and baking soda have been known to solve household problems since time immemorial; they can help with this one too. Pour a small cup of baking soda into the drain, and follow with an equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. Wait for the volcanic reaction, give it about 5-10 minutes and follow with hot water. This should normally clear the sink blockage but don't overdo it, or you might harm the pipes.

Salt and water

This is a milder version of the method above. Pour half a cup of salt down the drain and chase it with boiling water. Leave the solution to work its magic for 5-10 minutes and pour more hot water to clear the blocked sink.

The wire trick

This trick is harder to do in today's times, when most of our coat hangers are plastic or wood, as you'll need a wire coat hanger for it. Once you have acquired one, straighten it out and bend just one side to create a hook. Slide it down the drain and start pulling all the nasty stuff that has been blocking your sink. Remember - you have to pull them out, not shove them deeper. Run hot water, after you've finished and you're sorted.

Mr Plunger

The one household device, which as almost as hated as the toilet cleaning brush. But when hard times are upon us, the plunger must come out. Remember, if you have a double sink, you'll need to seal off the other side. Once you position the plunger, fill that side of the sink with water, just above the head of the instrument. This will help you create a tighter seal. Keep plunging, and you should eventually hear the clog clear out. As with any other methods, follow up with hot water.

Clear the S trap.

The S trap is the curved pipe you'll find under your sink. Be prepared to catch any dirt that might come out in a bucket, and wear gloves as well. Unfasten the S-trap and once it's out clear it thoroughly and soak it in hot water. Once it's all shiny and new, connect it to the pipes and the water.

While these five methods can prove to be very useful, it is still true that prevention is the best cure. So make sure to not dispose of food, tissues, straws, cotton wool buds, paint, oils or anything that is not water, really down the drain.