8 Tips for Unblocking Sink and Pipes Naturally

Is the water draining more slowly than usual in the shower, is it stagnating in the sink or is the toilet bowl threatening to overflow? Obviously, your pipes are clogged! Don’t panic: unblocking a pipe is not rocket science! There is therefore no need to immediately call a plumber: you will probably be able to solve the problem yourself!

1 – BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR

Have you ever created an artificial volcano in an elementary school science experiment by mixing baking soda with vinegar? It’s a bit of the same principle to get rid of a clogged sink.

• This mixture creates an impressive chemical reaction that can also be slightly corrosive. This can therefore get rid of what is blocking your pipes. And it can be done without any safety equipment to speak of.
• All you have to do is mix the two ingredients. As soon as it starts to fizz, pour the mixture down the drain before using boiling water to flush out the corroded waste.

2 – USE A SUCTION CUP

Sometimes you have to call on a plumber’s best friend: the plunger. Before you begin, make sure the plunger is completely over the drain, it needs to seal it. If air can escape, you won’t get the same effect.

Fill the sink halfway with water. Grasp the suction cup with both hands and pump up and down until there is no more suction. You may have to start several times.

3 – COFFEE GROUNDS TO MAINTAIN THE PIPING

As our grandmothers say so well, prevention is better than cure. So remember to take the right actions to avoid too much accumulation in the drain hole. In addition to creating blockages in the sink, trash gives off unpleasant odors.

To avoid these inconveniences, add a few tablespoons of coffee grounds in the kitchen sink, in the bathroom, but also in the shower tray. Let hot water run for 1 minute. Coffee grounds naturally clean pipes and siphons, preventing them from getting clogged.

4 – UNCLOGGING WITH DISHING LIQUID

You should know that the majority of elements which contribute to clogging pipes are greases. However, dishwashing liquid is one of the most effective products for dissolving these greases. It works to unclog your kitchen sink, washbasin, and even your toilet.

Pour around 5 cl of dishwashing detergent into your clogged pipe. Then, boil water and then pour it in as well, for maximum effectiveness.

5 – BOILING WATER TO DISSOLVE

This technique couldn’t be simpler. Simply boil water in an electric kettle or a large saucepan. Then pour all of the hot water into your siphon in order to dissolve the particles present there.

6 – THE HAIR DRYER

To quickly unclog your sink, use a hair dryer to blow hot air into the drain. Avoid contact between water and the electrical parts of the device.

7 – UNCLOGGING THE KITCHEN SINK WITH VINEGAR

• Buy a two-liter bottle of cleaning vinegar, which is more acidic than regular white vinegar.
• Pour the full two liters down your clogged kitchen drain. Let sit for 15 minutes.
• If your sink drains particularly slowly, you can pour in half a cup of baking soda first. Follow it with a cup of vinegar and water, plug it with a cap and let it sit for 15 minutes.
• Test if the clog has been removed by pouring hot (not boiling) water down the drain.

This works best as a preventative measure. If your kitchen drain is already completely clogged or vinegar won’t clear the clog, try the following method.

8 – A HANGER OR A FERRET?

If you are allergic to chemicals, there are other solutions available to you. A simple hanger can help you out. To be effective, it must be metallic. You will unfold it completely and shape a small hook at one of its ends. On the other side, make a handle. This improvised tool will allow you to catch the residue that is blocking your ducts.

Don’t forget to pour hot water into the sink or washbasin afterward. If that doesn’t work, you can purchase a plumber’s ferret. You will find them in stores.

There are several types, suitable for unblocking the sink or toilet. The end of this long flexible pipe is fitted with a corkscrew hook intended to pierce the cork. It is therefore advisable to insert the ferret into the opening of the sink, turning it regularly. To help you, use the crank, which allows you to advance the pipe to the plug. The maneuver must be repeated several times until the ferret pierces the cork.