Picture it: It’s Friday night after a long week, you’ve just finished dinner, and all that’s left to do is the dishes. Oh no: The sink’s blocked again. Double oh-no: You don’t have a plunger. Triple oh-no: You have no idea how to unblock a sink drain without one.
First things first: Don’t panic. Learning how to unblock a sink with your own elbow grease and items you probably already have around the house is actually pretty easy. So don’t reach for that 24/7 emergency plumber’s number just yet … and try these:
1. Got any baking soda?
Do you like baking cakes, muffins and cookies? Chances are you have some baking soda in the pantry. If you love fish and chips too, grab the vinegar and you’re good to go.
All you need is a couple of teaspoons of the baking soda or bi-carb, whip it up with a cup of white vinegar, and pour it in. With a bit of luck, it’ll sizzle straight through the blockage.
2. Got any aspirin?
You know that variety of aspirin that you pop into a glass of water and it fizzes up a storm? If so, you already know how to unclog a sink by using one or two of them. Pop the tablets into a cup of vinegar and pour it in – and finish it up two minutes later with a kettle of boiling water.
3. Got any laundry powder?
If you’re one of those people who use biological washing powders – the ones that contain enzymes – then you know how to unblock a sink that is backed up with gunk. The lipase enzymes break down oils and fats, and the protease enzymes break down proteins. Great for stubborn stains; great for stubborn sink blockages.
4. Got any wire?
A well-prepared DIY master will probably have a drain snake under the sink … but you’ve probably got a bit of stiff wire lying around somewhere, right? If you’re having trouble finding what you need, look in your wardrobe because a wire coat hanger can be straightened out for the perfect sink fishing rod.
5. Got any bleach?
While we think learning how to unblock a sink with the above 4 methods will be most helpful, you could try a touch of bleach as well – although it’s not very good at chewing through balls of hair down your bathroom drain. Still, mix it with boiling water and pour it down – just be careful not to let it splash into your eyes.
For really stubborn blockages, call the Drain Masters
How did you go? Great success … or is that sink drain still hopelessly blocked? We’re not going to lie: Many a blocked sink fix simply needs a true Drain Master to go to work with all the specialist tools, knowledge and techniques that will unclog it in a flash with minimal fuss or cost. Better still, we can be at your place before the next sink of dishes needs doing, so why not give the local Brisbane plumbers at Drain Masters Plumbing a call today?
For professional blocked drain cleaning, call Drain Masters Plumbing! We’ll attend to your property immediately and implement the correct check and a permanent solution – no matter what it is.
