CLOGGED SINKS

Tips on clearing your sink drains

Hair, soap residue, food particles and other matter can all contribute to clogged sinks.  Due to the amount of hot water that flows through most kitchen sinks however, those clogs occur more frequently in bathrooms.

Luckily, this plumbing problem usually builds slowly. When you first develop a clog, chances are that the source of the problem will be nearby and within reach.

• Try using a plunger first. Fill the sink with a couple of inches of water, apply the plunger and give it a shot. You’ll know pretty quickly if it works.
• Next, check the trap—it’s the lowest bend in the pipes under the sink. If it has a clean out plug at the bottom of the bend, just open the plug and pull out the clog with needle nose pliers or whatever works best.
• If the trap is the more ordinary kind with couplings on either end, loosen both couplings, slide the trap off and clean it out with a wire brush.
• After removing the trap, you may find that the clog has moved a bit further down the line.  In that case, you can try to insert an auger into the still-open pipe and push the obstruction out.
• IMPORTANT: Before disconnecting your pipes, make sure you put a bucket underneath to catch the water that will run out. And be careful not to apply so much pressure that you crush or otherwise damage your pipes. The last thing you want is to make matters worse.
• Beware of supermarket drain-cleaning products—many of those products can be damaging to your pipes. Instead, try Drainright^® Drain Maintainer—the exclusive drain cleaning product from Rescue Rooter^®.

If you still have a problem after trying all the techniques mentioned here, contact your local Rescue Rooter service professional today. We’ll send a knowledgeable plumber out to assess your system quickly.