Plumber Recommended Techniques for Unclogging a Sink

Clogged sink drains can be a minor inconvenience for our customers, or it could be a major plumbing problem that needs to be taken care of right away by a Trinity professional. There is a series of steps that we must take to determine the severity of the problem.

First, The Plunger

A tried and true method for clearing minor clogs, a plunger is a good start for a sink plumbing project. It is important for the plunger to completely cover the drain, and for there to be water in both the fixture and the drain. This creates suction, and goes a long way to ensuring that the pipe is not damaged. It may take several minutes of plunging to be effective.

Time for a Pneumatic Drain Opener

If the plunger is not working, it might be time for some additional power. A pneumatic drain opener forces high pressure compressed air through the water and debris with the aim of clearing the blockage. This may break apart the obstruction, or at least push it free from the sides. It is important to remember that there should be water in the drain before using one of these tools.

Snake That Drain

The next step in unclogging a persistent clogged sink is snaking the drain. This refers to threading a flexible wiry augur down the pipe. The augur is rotated. If the blockage is shreddable, it will break apart and clear the drain.

Pipe Removal

If a clog is bad enough, we may need to remove parts of the pipe underneath the sink in order to get to the stubborn clog that is unresponsive to the other methods. It may be easier to remove tenacious clogs when you can see the blockage and know what you are dealing with.

If none of these methods are effective, it could be an indication that there is an issue with the system as a whole, not just the single fixture.

Remember to keep your drains healthy by periodically clearing them with a boiling water and baking soda mixture. As long as you do not have a system wide issue, this will help keep the clogs away, and your Trinity system healthy.

Unclogging a sink is a job for the pros. Call Roman Plumbing at (727) 858-3412 for plumbing service in your Trinity, FL home!