How to unclog a bathroom sink without a plunger: How to unblock a sink

How to unblock a sink

A blocked sink in your kitchen or bathroom can be an inconvenient and often smelly nightmare, leaving you tempted to give an emergency plumber a call. If, however, you want to save yourself a pretty penny, the best sink unblocker is actually a combination of know-how, patience and good old fashioned elbow grease! 

 

So if you’ve got the elbows and the patience, we’ve got the know-how for you below – including how to unblock a sink without a plunger. But if you do have one handy… 

 

Unblocking a sink with a plunger 

Unblocking a sink with a plunger is the easiest way to clear a blockage. Here are the tools you’ll need to get the job done: 

• A plunger (cup-shaped)
• A limescale cleaning product
• A sponge
• Duct tape (or an old dishcloth)
• A large towel
• A cup or beaker 

 

Step 1: Drain the sink of any water 

If the sink is half-filled with water that won’t drain, remove and dispose of the excess water using the cup. The goal is to have a reasonably water-free sink basin so we can get started 

 

Step 2: Seal the sink overflow 

Wipe the area around the overflow (the hole just under the taps) using the towel or some tissue to remove any moisture. Now seal the overflow using the duct tape, or stuff it with the dishcloth to create
an airtight seal.  

 

Step 3: Cover the floor with a towel 

Lay the towel down on the floor around the foot of the sink basin to catch any water that might spill over the edge. 

 

Step 4: Clean the plughole 

Unscrew and remove the plughole so you can thoroughly clean it using the limescale remover and sponge. Have a peek down the plughole to see if you can see any obvious blockages that you can remove by hand. 

Once the area is clean, replace the plughole and wipe away any moisture. If you did remove a blockage, try running the taps to see if the sink drains properly.   

Read this article to find out how to get rid of damp, mould and limescale at home 

Step 5: Take the plunge! 

Place the bottom of the plunger over the plughole and press down firmly. Run the taps for a few seconds until you’ve got a couple of inches of lukewarm water around the plungers seal.  

Now, grip the handle of the plunger with both hands and pump it up and down vigorously to create suction. With a bit of luck, you’ll dislodge the blockage and receive a volley of contented gurgling from
the grateful sink. If this doesn’t work and the blockage persists, move on to the tips below. 

How to unblock a sink without a plunger 

If the plunger hasn’t done the trick, or if you haven’t managed to get your hands on one, the following DIY tips using common household items are worth giving a try.  

For all of the following tips ensure your sink is free of water so you have unobstructed access to the plughole. You’ll also need to boil a kettle of water to help flush away the blockage.  

1. Bicarbonate of soda (or baking powder) and white vinegar 

The great thing about this solution is that you most likely have both of these items in your kitchen cupboards. Even if you don’t, you can pick both of them up for next to nothing at your local shop.  

All you need to do is pop a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda down the plughole and chase it with a cup of white vinegar. Leave it for about five minutes and then try flushing the blockage with
the hot kettle water.  

2. Washing powder (biological) 

This is very similar to the above method and a great way to clear oily blockages, such as chip fat or other greasy substances that shouldn’t be down the sink. 

Just pop two tablespoons of washing powder down the plughole and immediately chase it with the entire kettle of hot water. This trick can also be carried out using soda crystals instead of the washing powder.  

3. Alka Seltzers and white vinegar 

This is less effective than the above methods, but still worth trying. Just add a couple of tablets (or teaspoons if you have the powder version) down the sink. Then immediately chase it down with a cup
of white vinegar. Give it a few minutes to work its magic and then pour down the whole kettle of boiling water.  

4. Use a wire or tool to poke/pull out the blockage 

For this, you’ll need some flexible drain-unblocking wire from your local hardware store, or a DIY alternative, such as net curtain wire or a metal coat hanger. Feed the wire down the plug hole until you
encounter resistance from the blockage. Apply careful but gradual pressure until the blockage is successfully dislodged.  

Important tip: Don’t turn the pipe anticlockwise when using these items as you could unscrew the pipe, resulting in a flood.  

5. Use a blast of water 

If you have an empty plastic bottle lying around (2-litre soft drink bottles work best) then you can try using water pressure to clear the blockage. Just fill the bottle with warm water and place the open
end down the plughole. At the same time, quickly squeeze the bottle hard to force the water out of the bottle and down the drain. With a bit of luck, the highpressure blast of water will be enough to
clear the blockage.  

6. Use a natural drain cleaner 

A natural drain cleaner is very effective against organic matter, such as fat buildups, grease and even hair. Natural drain cleaner is usually enzymatic – which means that it’s kinder to the environment
than bleach or other harsher chemicals such as caustic soda.  

7.

Bleach and hot water 

We recommend trying this as a last resort as bleach is quite a corrosive substance. You probably don’t need the safety lecture but just in case, please ensure you always wear protective gloves and avoid
getting bleach in your eyes or breathing in the fumes. Once you’re sorted with the precautions, pour about a cupful of bleach down the sink and then slowly pour in hot water from the kettle to flush
it down. 

 

And if none of those work…

 

How to unblock the u-bend 

If none of the above tips have worked then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and take the fight directly to the blockage. If, at this point, you feel nervous about fiddling with your pipes and want to call
a plumber then that’s entirely understandable.  

However, we assure you this is a pretty easy job to carry out yourself. You just need to be prepared to get a little wet. A strong stomach helps too, as that blockage is not going to smell very good…  

You’ll need the following items to get the job done: 

• An adjustable wrench
• Rubber gloves
• Antibacterial cleaner
• Sponge
• A bucket
• Towels 

1. Start off with a little preparation 

First of all get yourself changed into some clothes that you don’t mind getting wet. This is going to be a particularly messy job, so don’t do it in your Sunday best and make sure you wear your rubber gloves.  

Next, lay down some towels under the sink to soak up any excess water. Remember to save one of the towels for yourself as a headrest, as you’ll most likely be under the sink for a while. Finally, place the
bucket down under the u-bend. 

Trouble in the loo? How to unblock a toilet

2. Remove the u-bend  

Slowly unscrew the threaded caps from each side of the u-bend using your wrench and direct any rush of water into the bucket. If the threaded caps are rigid (due to age) you can use a spray of WD40 or similar
lubricant to loosen them. 

Ideally, you want to take the u-bend to another sink or an outside area where you can flush it clean with water. At this point use the antibacterial spray and sponge to clean the u-bend thoroughly, as bacteria
has most likely been lurking in there for a while.  

3. Re-attach the u-bend 

Re-attach the u-bend using the wrench and test that you’ve sealed it correctly by running the cold tap slowly. Hopefully, you won’t have any leaks and you can then remove the towels and bucket. If you do
notice a leak, try detaching and reattaching the u-bend again. 

4. Test that you’ve cleared the blockage 

Run the cold tap again to see if the sink is draining correctly.  

 

What to do if your sink is still blocked 

If at this point the sink is still blocked you may need to concede defeat and call in the professionals.
Don’t be disheartened though. In most cases, if the above methods haven’t worked then it could be a sign of a deeper issue that needs to be rectified as soon as possible. 

Common causes of blocked sinks 

It’s important to remember that your sink is designed to drain liquids rather than solids. So to avoid future blockages you should resist the temptation to put the following down your plughole: 

 

• Tissues (including toilet tissue)

• Food (even those little bits of carrot or pet food) 

• Cotton wool and cotton buds

• Cigarettes and cigarette ash

• Paper, plastic and cardboard (including straws)

• Large quantities of fat (such as chip fat) 

Essentially, if it’s not a liquid, it doesn’t belong down your plughole.  If you want to keep your drains clean and maintain a healthy drainage system, then prevention is the best cure.

 

Read our guide on how to easily clean your drains and help
you prevent potential blockages in the future. 

How to unblock a sink with or without a plunger

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So your sink’s blocked? Don’t immediately panic, as it could be surprisingly easy to fix. So there’s no need to call the professionals just yet, as we think we can get your water flowing freely again in a jiffy. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to unblock a sink and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. You’ll save yourself some money, too!

From the kitchen sink to the downstairs cloakroom, these handy tips apply to sinks of all styles.

How to unblock a kitchen sink

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

1. Block up the overflow

Create an effective seal by blocking the overflow. It’s easiest to do this using a dishcloth or old towel.

2. If you have a plunger, use it now

Place the sink plunger over your plughole, cover with water – this will help you to create an airtight seal – and grip the handle with both hands. Pump up and down to create suction until the blockage is dislodged.

More kitchen tasks tackled: How to clean a dishwasher – plus how to add dishwasher salt and rinse aid

If going at your sink with a plunger isn’t working, or you don’t have one…

How to unblock a sink without a plunger

(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith)

1.

Add baking soda and vinegar

This low-cost solution uses two ingredients you’re likely to have in your kitchen cupboards – baking soda and vinegar. Add a couple of teaspoons of baking powder, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Bicarb of soda can also be used in place of baking.

2. Try a common hangover cure

Alka-Seltzers are great for mild blockages and nasty smells. Pop a couple down the plughole and then pour in a cup of vinegar. Wait a few minutes and then blast with the hot tap to flush through the blockage.

3. Pour in a little biological washing powder

This is another idea that will leave your sink smelling sweeter. Pop two tablespoons of biological washing powder down the plughole, followed by a kettle’s worth of boiling water. This should remove any fats or grease that have built up. Soda crystals are similarly effective.

4. Insert a long wire

Get hold of a long flexible wire tool. Feed it into the drain, so it bends around the pipe and clears what’s blocking it. You could buy one or use a straightened wire coat hanger – just be careful of any sharp edges!

Buy now: Drain Cleaner 4.65m, £11.50, Wickes

And if none of those work…

5. Unscrew the U-bend and clear out the blockage by hand

If all that fails, you need to take the U-bend apart. Don’t call a plumber – this job’s easy enough to take on, but do change into some old clothes, because it’s going to get mucky and you’ll be working in a very small space. Expect to spend anything up to an hour on it.

Put on a pair of rubber gloves, put down some old towels and slowly unscrew the U-bend or bottletrap using a wrench. It can come in several parts so take a picture first – that way, you’ll know how to put it all back together later.

Have a bucket or an kitchen bowl ready to catch any water as you pull it apart, and clear out the pipework. Remember to wash out any dismantled traps or pipework in another sink, bath or using the outside tap – otherwise you’ll end up with wet feet!

How to unblock a bathroom sink

(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)

Try the methods above, but we do have a specialist tips for bathroom sinks, which can get clogged with hair.

1. Unblock sink hairs with a magic tool

Rid bathroom drains of pesky hair with the ingenious Drain Weasel tool, which snags and removes hair. insert the wand in the plughole and hold it by the sleeve. Rotate the handle 360 degrees until your feel resistance. Carefully remove and discard the wand, saving the main part for next time.

Buy now: The Drain Weasel 2 disposable plughole cleaning brushes, £8.99, Lakeland

Hopefully that’s worked for you. But before we go, here are a few more of your sink unblocking questions, answered.

Trouble in the loo? Follow our guide on How to unblock a toilet

Can bleach unblock a sink?

A combination of bleach and boiling water can break down some type of clog – but it won’t eat through hair, for example. We would recommend you try the above methods first, as we think you’ll find them more effective and they are certainly less harmful to the environment.

A plumbing expert strongly stresses how careful people should be when working with any chemicals, especially in standing water. If pouring chemicals into a water blockage you are effectively mixing a bowl full of toxic chemicals that could be easier to splash around.  Chemical solutions generally work best on drains that are draining, whether they are draining slowly or near completely block but not 100 per cent solid.  In the case of a totally solid blockage  plunging or taking apart the trap is best.

If you do use bleach to unblock a sink, make sure you read the instructions on the bottle first. Wear gloves and keep your skin covered in case you accidentally splash yourself.

(Image credit: Future PLC/Nicholas Yarsley)

How do I unblock a sink full of water?

If you are using a plunger, the fact that the sink is full of water won’t be a problem, since you’ll need it there to create an airtight seal (see above). The weight of the water might also act to push the blockage through.

However, if the plunger method doesn’t work, you’ll need to empty out as much water as possible. Use a saucepan or jug to scoop it out and then pour the water into a bucket. A really clever trick is using an empty water bottle, using the suction method to draw the water up from the blocked sink into the bottle. Then simply squeeze the excess water into another water outlet. After you’ve  reduced the water level then try the other methods of unclogging the sink that we’ve listed.

Right, time to have a go yourself. Trust us – unclogging the sink yourself really isn’t tricky as you think, and you’ll save yourself a small fortune!

How to clean a blockage in the sink – folk and professional remedies

A blockage in the sink is a common occurrence, even if the hostess maintains perfect cleanliness in the house / apartment and thoroughly flushes the sink from grease and dirt, and prevents food debris from entering the drain system. How to clear blockage without effort? It’s simple – call a plumber and believe that he will come on time and do his job efficiently. But instead, you can do it on your own, especially since there are a lot of options.

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  Contents: 
1. How to clear a blockage in the sink with a plunger
2. How to clear a blockage in the sink without a plunger
3. Special tools for cleaning blockages in the sink
4. Mechanical cleaning of blockage in the sink
 

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How to unblock a sink with a plunger

A very popular, well-known plunger for a long time is a real lifesaver in moments of sink clogging. The principle of its operation is simple – under pressure, a water hammer is created in the drain pipes, which contributes to the passage of accumulated dirt.

The plunger must be attached with the rubber side to the hole in the sink so that it is completely closed. Then 3-4 sharp shocks are made, during which you can hear the characteristic gurgling sounds in the pipes. Then the plunger is removed and, as a rule, the water from the sink begins to actively drain. If the drainage of water goes badly, then you need to repeat the procedure with a plunger. If dirt / debris / food particles rise up, they must be removed immediately – if they enter the drain again, they will again create a blockage.

A plunger is the answer to the question of how to clean the sink in the bathroom, because this method is suitable for any drain systems, including toilets.

How to unblock a sink without a plunger

If there is no plunger in the household, then you can use folk remedies, the basis for the preparation of which is ordinary baking soda. It is this product that has the ability to dissolve fats, which causes the cleaning of the drain system in the sink. So, the blockage in the sink can be removed in the following ways:

• Pour three tablespoons of baking soda into the drain hole in the sink, then rinse everything with hot water, preferably boiling water;
• Pour three tablespoons of baking soda with vinegar in an amount of 100 ml, wait 15 minutes – during this time the chemical reaction in the vessel will end. Then the solution is poured into the hole of the sink and after 3 minutes everything is washed with hot water;
• Take equal amounts of ordinary washing powder and baking soda, pour into the sink drain system. Then pour 200 ml of vinegar into the same place and after 2-5 minutes rinse everything with hot water.

These cleaners are great for even tough clogs, and baking soda works on both kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks. If the blockage happened in the kitchen, then most likely the cause of this will be fat accumulations – they are easiest to dissolve with vinegar, so in this case it is better to use the second recipe from the above for the cleaning procedure.

Sink blockage cleaner

There are a lot of such products on the market – they are aggressive, guarantee almost instant results. The task is to choose a cleaning agent that would not only quickly and efficiently remove blockages in the sink, but also be safe. We suggest using the products of the manufacturer “Nevskaya cosmetics” – a means for cleaning pipes from blockages “Mr. Chister”. It has excellent quality characteristics:

• removes clogs in 15 minutes;
• dissolves even hair and grease, but is completely safe for pipes;
• disinfects;
• eliminates unpleasant odors, even if the blockage in the sink is already old.

In addition, the Mr. Chister pipe cleaner is equipped with a special cap that prevents children from trying to taste the contents of the bright bottle. Before opening the bottle, you will need to press the cap and, holding it in this position, turn it – this is the only way the remedy will open.

See how quickly “Mr. Cleaner” dissolved the hair, and did not damage the spoon and plastic cup at all:

Removing a blockage in the sink is not difficult, but it is much more expedient to simply not let it happen. According to statistics, blockage occurs due to fat accumulations in the pipe, and they are taken just from the inner surface of the sink. This suggests that when cleaning the kitchen space, attention should be paid not only to tiled surfaces, but also to the sink – with special tools of the Mister Chister line from the manufacturer Nevskaya Kosmetika, even frozen fat can be removed and blockage can be prevented.

Mechanical drain blockage

This is a rather unpleasant procedure, but sometimes you have to carry it out. In kitchen sinks there is such a detail as a siphon – it retains various dirt, preventing it from forming a blockage in more distant pipes. Modern sink installation systems involve the installation of a removable siphon, so you just need to unscrew it, clean it and rinse it.

But mechanical cleaning of the siphon will be needed only if you use a plunger or folk remedies – they do not remove the unpleasant odor and the effect of them is short-lived. But professional products last longer and eliminate the need to manually clean the siphon.

It is quite possible to clear the blockage in the sink, you just need to choose a convenient way.

HOW TO CLEAN THE SINK — 4 folk ways and with the help of household chemicals

Any housewife will confirm: a clogged drain is more than just a nuisance. When a family can’t use the drain in the kitchen or bathroom, the situation in the house is close to disaster.

How to clean a kitchen sink without a plumber? If you know a few useful tricks, the problem is solved in a few hours, and possibly faster.

How to clean the sink: mechanical tools will come to the rescue

If the sink is clogged and the water does not drain, it’s time to act radically. We are talking about a plunger and a plumbing cable. It will not be superfluous to clean the siphon – debris particles often accumulate in the outlet or bend of the pipe, which is designed to form a water seal, preventing water from entering the sewer. But start with the simplest – with a plunger.

Plunger

This one-two tool will clear the blockage in the sink without assistance. The plunger is simply created for this: it is in the form of an elastic rubber bowl with a handle. It is placed above the drain in the sink, in which there should be some water. Next, you need to vigorously press the handle several times.

If the blockage in the pipe is caused by a loose mass of mechanical particles, using a plunger, it can be moved into a sewer pipe of a larger diameter. The advantage of this method is obvious: five minutes is enough – and the blockage is eliminated. The minus is less obvious, but there is: dense deposits of fat and food particles are beyond the strength of the plunger.

Reasoned comparison: Which sink is better – stainless steel or artificial stone: 5 reasons

How to clean the sink in the bathroom with a plumbing cable?

A more dense plug, which is firmly seated in the pipe, will be pierced by a steel cable with a brush. However, to get to the blockage, you have to disassemble the siphon. The cable is carefully moved in the pipe, combining rotational and translational movements. This method requires from 30 minutes to an hour, but it will allow you to forget about blockages in the sink for a long time.

Cleaning the siphon

The sanitary trap is made of plastic, and even a teenager can disassemble and assemble it. However, before doing this, it is necessary to substitute a basin or bucket so that the water accumulated in the sink does not rush onto the floor or into the sink cabinet. The disassembled parts are cleaned of dirt, washed and assembled again. Using an additional cable, the desired results are guaranteed to be achieved.

Cleaning the drain with household chemicals

Wondering how to clean the blockage in the sink? Often, in order to clean the drain in the sink, housewives prefer a special category of household chemicals from the mass market. But they have their advantages and disadvantages.

In addition, a high percentage of acid or alkali in such products can damage the sink material, and nasty odors are released when in contact with the blockage plug.

Informative article: How to properly position the sink in the kitchen: 4 options

Powder products

All products are packaged with instructions for use. The general principle of their application is as follows:

1. The sink and the top of the pipe are drained.
2. Pour the required amount of powder or granules into the drain hole.
3. Pour a little water – the temperature is indicated in the instructions.
4. Rinse copiously with water when the time allotted for the procedure has elapsed.

Liquids

Liquids function in a similar way, but without water, so as not to reduce the concentration of the composition. If it was not possible to clean the drain in the sink on the first attempt, the procedure can be repeated again. It is important to carefully study all recommendations and follow safety precautions.

Note: How to choose a sink for the kitchen: 4 selection criteria

How to clean the sink without a plunger? We are testing folk recipes

There are variations on how to clean the sink, if you need to do it urgently, but it’s too late to run for household chemicals. Often, simple tools that are found in every home are quite enough to remove. Here are four hacks on how to unclog your sink using whatever you have on hand.

Soda and salt

To do this, prepare:

• table salt – ½ cup;
• baking soda – 1 cup.

The substances are mixed and placed in a drain. Pour in 250 ml of hot water. After a quarter of an hour, they clean it using a plunger.

Baking soda and vinegar

To remove the blockage:

1. Pour 5 heaping tablespoons of soda into the drain hole.
2. Pour ¾ cup of vinegar.
3. Seal the opening with a wet sponge, placing a pot of water on top. This will help prevent reaction products and foam from sloshing over the top.
4. Rinse with hot water after 40 minutes.

Soda and citric acid

Two solutions are prepared for this method:

• Half a glass of soda is mixed in a liter of water.
• 100 grams of citric acid is dissolved in the same amount of water.

First, pour the soda solution, and after 5 minutes – acid. Soda breaks down fat, and the carbon dioxide that is released as a result of the reaction will corrode the plug in the drain.

Read: How to Change Your Kitchen Faucet in 3 Steps

Hot Water

Hot water will clear clogs because it can loosen bits of hardened, sticky grease stuck to pipes from the inside. For metal pipes, boiling water is suitable.

How to avoid pipe blockages in the future?

To avoid blockages for a long time, buy protective nets for drain holes, which prevent solid debris from entering the drain. In addition, do not drain the remaining fat from the pan into the drain.