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.
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No one likes it when their drains get clogged. It’s not just inconvenient; it’s also a sign that you may have a bigger problem on your hands. However, there are many things you can do yourself to unblock your sink without calling in the plumber.
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Oftentimes a sink blockage is simply caused by a buildup of soap scum. If this is the case, hot water may be enough to melt away the debris. Let the water run for a few minutes. If it doesn’t work, try the cold tap and let that run too.
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Use a plunger
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If you have a sink or tub that has become clogged, you can use a plunger as an emergency unblocker. Plungers are available from all hardware stores and are very easy to use.
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Place the rubber cup over the drain inlet, smearing a little vaseline around the edge first to create an airtight seal. Pump the plunger a few times to create a vacuum, and this motion will dislodge most types of debris which you can either pull out of the drain or flush away with water.
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Boiling water will expand in the pipe and pressurize it, which should force whatever is clogging your drain out of its way.
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To pour boiling water into your sink:
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Place a container under the faucet to catch any overflow from running water as well as any debris that comes out of pipes during this process.
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Turn on a hot tap for about 15 seconds or until you see some steam coming from it (you can also use hot water from a kettle if you don’t have access to an open tap)
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Be careful if using boiling water, as this may loosen joints in plastic pipes.
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Baking Soda and Vinegar are a great home remedy for unclogging your sink. It’s cheap, easy to find, and non-toxic — three things that make it an excellent solution for any drain problem. Here’s how to use it:
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Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white distilled vinegar. The reaction between the two will create carbon dioxide gas which will rise up through the pipes, loosening clogs as they go!
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Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes or so before brushing away with a brush or pouring boiling hot water down from above (this will help loosen any remaining buildup).
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If the problem is even more stubborn, you may need to call in the pros for assistance, but first, you can try using a drain snake or a plumber’s friend to clear out the drain.
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If these don’t work, call a professional for help with an auger or water jetter—tools that are designed specifically for clearing out clogs in drains and pipes.
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To get to your trap, you’ll need to unscrew the pipes under your sink. It’s easy, though—just turn off the water and remove any hoses attached to it.
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Once you’ve done that, unscrew all of the nuts (or washers) on both sides of where your pipe meets with the sink with an adjustable wrench (or pliers if you don’t have one). Be careful not to drop them! Once they’re all off, lift up your pipe and set it aside next to its neighbor.
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You’ll now see two round rings on either side of where your P-trap used to be: these are called “stoppers,” and they prevent sewage from going into other parts of your house when something goes wrong with this system—be sure not to remove them unless specifically instructed by a professional!
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If you don’t feel confident doing this yourself, call Pro Blocked Drains in Axminster to help you.
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Keep your drains free of hair and soap scum.
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First, do what you can to avoid clogging your drains in the first place. Avoid using too much soap and hot water, which causes suds and scum to build up in the pipes. Clean hair out of your drains regularly by using a strainer or drain cover.
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Clean the garbage disposal regularly as well; many people don’t realize that there are tiny pieces of food in those disposals that will eventually harden into gunk inside the pipes, so be sure to scrape down the sides of it with a cup or tool whenever you use it.
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Finally—and most importantly—keep an eye on how often your sink needs cleaning: if it’s taking longer than usual for the water to drain out after doing dishes or brushing teeth, there may be something stuck down there causing a blockage (or worse yet: mold!).
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If these tips don’t solve the problem right away—or if things seem even worse than before—you may need professional help from a plumber who specializes in unclogging sinks.
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Hopefully, the methods above have helped you unblock your sink. If not, it may be time to call in a professional plumber. It’s important to keep your drains free of hair and soap scum so they don’t clog up again!
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Pro Blocked Drains are a family business with over 20 years of experience in all kinds of drainage problems. With nationwide coverage and with engineers in Axminster, we can offer you a fast, efficient, friendly local service.
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With Pro Blocked Drains, we guarantee you:
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All of our staff members are highly trained and experienced in the industry, so they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to drainage systems.
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Whatever your drainage problem, we can help. You can contact us on 0800 611 82 99. Learn more information about Drain Clearance Services.