Plumbing Saskatoon, Sink Clogs
By: Ben Wanner of Pro Service Mechanical
Those pesky sink clogs can be a real nuisance. Slow draining, overflowing sinks and odor problems in your bathroom or kitchen can be a real problem and lead to damage and real unpleasantness. Here are a few tips to get things moving again.
Flush your sink with hot water
This can work in your bathroom or kitchen sink if you have a buildup of grease, toothpaste etc. You can try running the hot water tap for a bit first, but make sure you watch the sink the entire time or it may overflow. Your best method is to boil some water in a pot and pour it down the sink with some dish soap. We do not suggest using chemical drain cleaners as they can eat away at older cast piping. If pouring the boiling water down the drain does not work then move to the next step.
Plunger
If you have a light clog you can try a plunger. Have a few inches of water in the sink and block the overflow with a wet cloth if it is a bathroom sink. Try plunging firmly a few times and if you do not have success move on to the next step.
Remove the stopper or clean around the stopper (bathroom sink)
This is only recommended if you feel comfortable putting the assembly back together. Many of these will unscrew but some will require tools to remove. If you are not comfortable with this type of work you can use a stiff wire with a hook to unclog around and under the stopper. In bathroom sinks and tubs these will often be clogged with hair. If these methods do not work then move to the next step.
Use a snake
A manual snake can work very well in many cases. They are very affordable and available. Be sure to find the clog and brake it up or pull the material back out. Do not try and force the clog down the pipe. If this is unsuccessful, try taking the trap apart.
manual snake
Take the trap apart
Again only do this if you are comfortable working with tools and have some experience. Some traps will only have a small clean out at the bottom. Most traps will have a union that comes apart so we can get into the trap and clean it out by hand. also check down the pipe after the trap if any clogs are present.
If we still have not fixed the problem it is time to call a professional plumber. In most cases you will probably be able to remove the clog yourself saving you a service call, however if these suggestions do not work, do not go to drastic lengths on your own. Having a professional with the tools and experience will save you time and money.
Feel free to contact the pros at Pro Service if you have any questions or require service. Our friendly staff are ready to help with all your plumbing needs.
