Broken water pipes, clogged bathroom sinks and tubs, these are just some of the common problems homeowners encounter every now and then. Although these can be frustrating at times, simple concerns like a slow draining bathroom sink is easy to manage. With items you can find in the house, in the kitchen, for example, removing still water in the sink and clearing the clog can be a do-it-yourself home repair project. Did you know that you can unclog your bathroom sink the natural way without using harmful chemicals? Here are effective ways to solve your bathroom sink clogging problem.
1. Use a Plunger.
One of the first techniques to use is the good old plunger. If there is a stopper, remove it first. You might want to use rubber gloves since you will have to deal with standing water. If there is no pool of water present, get a rag and cover the sink overflow drain and turn on the water. After this, place the plunger on top of the drain, push and pull it for about six times and this should do the trick. You might also want to pour hot water to loosen the scum and wash it down the pipe.
2. Pour Baking Soda And Vinegar.
Another miracle solution for a bathroom sink clogging problem is a combination of baking soda and vinegar. All you need to do is pour at least ½ cup of baking soda into the drain. This will attach to the gunk and dirt build up that might be causing the problem. After doing so, pour ½ cup of vinegar. You will notice a fizzle which is a chemical reaction between the two. This combination will loosen the materials stuck on the drain pipe. Follow this by pouring hot water several times until the clog is removed. By the way, other people use Alka Seltzer instead if baking soda is not available. It is said to have the same fizzle effect when combined with white vinegar. You might also want to give this a try.
3. Bend a Wire Hanger.
If there are solid materials clogging the drain such as toothpaste caps, piece of soap or even children’s toys, this problem might need an alternative solution other than baking soda and vinegar. Here, you will improvise and turn a wire hanger into a hooking tool. If you have one of those hangers from the cleaners, this is the best material to use since it can easily be bent. Straighten the hanger and leave the tip that is shaped as a hook. If the end of the hanger is too big to fit the hole, use pliers to adjust its size. Next, using a flashlight, try to get the object that has been stuck. Once you have removed the material, you might want to pour hot water to loosen the gunk and grime on the pipe.
These are just three effective ways you can try if you are faced with a slow draining bathroom sink or sink with standing water problem. If these techniques don’t work, a plumber’s snake can also be used if you have one in the house. Why call and pay a plumber when you can fix the problem on your own?
