How Do You Unclog a Sink Without Drano?

Even when you try to avoid clogging sinks by keeping things like grease, coffee grounds, and hair out of drains, clogs can still happen.

Products like Drano® and other chemical drain cleaners can be an easy way to dissolve clogs, but they can also be dangerous to have around if you have children. Frequent use of caustic chemical drain cleaners can actually damage your plumbing system.

The good news is that, for many clogs, there are some simple solutions that can successfully unclog drains, saving you time and money.

Give us a call at (330) 753-7711 or contact us online to schedule drain cleaning services today! 

5 Helpful Tips From Plumbing Experts

Using just a few common household tools and supplies, along with some patience and elbow grease, you can remove many mild to moderate clogs. Here are a few of the best do-it-yourself methods for clearing sink clogs:

Plunging

A standard plunger can unclog many sink drains with minimal effort. When plunging sinks, make sure that any overflow openings in the sink are covered with wet rags. Then, cover the sink drain with the plunger, and plunge five to 10 times to try to break up the clog. If you have a double sink, make sure that the second drain is covered. And if your first attempt at plunging fails, run some hot water down the drain, then try again.

Snaking

If you have a pipe snake, a coat hanger, or a stiff wire, you can try to dislodge the clog by feeding the wire down the drain. When using this method, do not force the wire too hard. Also, make sure that you can easily pull it back up whenever necessary.

Removing the trap

If you have a large set of pliers and access to the underside of the sink, you can remove the P-trap to dislodge a clog in or near it. To do this, simply unscrew the two nuts on either side of the trap, using a bucket underneath to catch any water. Then, use water or a wire to remove any clogs from the pipe. If you don’t find any clogs, try using a wire or snake on either side of the trap to dislodge clogs before or after it.

Using soap and hot water

If the clog is caused by grease accumulations, pouring dish soap down the drain, followed by a large pot of boiling water, may dissolve the clog. Use about a half-cup to 1 cup of soap and about a gallon of water, being careful not to burn yourself. Learn more about how grease accumulations clog your sink in this article from Angi.

Using a solution of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water

For more stubborn clogs, a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water may do the trick. Because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is a base, mixing the two will cause a chemical reaction that will create pressure and possibly dislodge the clog. For this method, pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half-cup of white vinegar and, then, plenty of hot water.

If none of these methods work, it may be time to call a plumbing expert for help. Experienced plumbers can provide professional drain cleaning services, removing any stubborn clogs without damaging your plumbing system. They can also determine if your drain problems are being caused by something more problematic, like damaged pipes or sewer line clogs.

Schedule Drain Cleaning Services in Akron & Cleveland

For affordable, effective drain cleaning services in and around the Akron and Cleveland areas, look no further than our team of expert plumbers at Blind & Sons. With over 80 years of plumbing experience, we have the skills and expertise you can rely on for all of your plumbing, drain, and sewer needs.