Troubleshooting Tips and Solutions for a Blocked Sink

Understanding the Signs of a Blocked Sink

By knowing the signs of blocked sinks and catching them early, you can take swift action to minimise the issues and prevent them from escalating. Some signs to be aware of include if it starts to drain slowly, makes strange gurgling sounds or if you notice bad smells coming up from the drain. These are all clear indicators that your pipes aren’t working quite like they should.

Identifying the Cause of the Blockage

The next thing to be aware of is how to identify what is causing the issue or blockage. By knowing the cause you can implement targeted solutions to fix the issue and prevent it in the future. Common causes of blocked drains include: 

• Food particles: One common cause of kitchen sink blockages is the accumulation of food scraps or particles. Not all foods break down quickly enough to clear your pipes and instead can accumulate and cause a blockage.
• Grease and oil: Another highly common cause of blockages in kitchen sinks is grease and oil being poured down the drain in its liquid form. These liquids solidify as they cool, creating a sticky residue in your pipes that traps other debris and over time can lead to a complete blockage.
• Foreign objects: Depending on the size of the drain hole in your sink it can be easy to accidentally drop small objects like jewellery, hairpins or rubbish down into your pipes and cause a blockage. These small objects obviously don’t break down so they can get caught and accumulate with other debris like hair to cause a significant blockage in your pipes.

DIY Methods for Unblocking a Sink

Before panicking and calling in an emergency plumber you can attempt some simple and safe DIY drain cleaning methods. And no, we don’t mean Drano! Chemical drain cleaners can be harmful to you and your pipes, so instead try these safe, eco-friendly methods:

• Boiling water: The first thing to attempt is just pouring some boiling water down your sink to help break down or liquefy any grease or soap scum that could be causing the blockage. However, do NOT do this if you have PVC pipes as it can damage them, instead try hot water from the tap.
• Baking soda and vinegar: Secondly, if hot water doesn’t work, try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Pour half a cup of each down the drain and allow them to react. Let this sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing with hot water.
• Plunger: If the blockage proves stubborn after trying the above you can attempt to plunge it. Make sure there’s enough water in the sink to cover the rubber base of the plunger and then place it over the drain. Push and pull forcefully a few times to create strong suction. If this works you should hear a flush from your pipes clearing the blockage.
• Drain Snake: Finally, you can try a drain snake. Drain snakes usually have a long, flexible metal cable with a screw-like tip on one end to break up blockages. Insert the screw-end into the drain until you feel resistance and then turn the handle clockwise to grab or break up the blockage.

When to Call a Professional Plumber

While you will be able to clear many sink blockages with those DIY methods, some more stubborn or extensive issues will require more specialised tools and skills. Here are a few common signs that it’s best to call a professional plumber.

• If you’ve tried a few of these DIYs and it hasn’t made any significant difference to the drainage of your sink.
• If you have more than one blocked sink or drain that is blocked simultaneously and consistently. 
• If any bad smells or odours that resemble sewage are emanating from your drains.

Remember, when in doubt it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. If you’re not comfortable trying DIYs or have any reservations, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call a plumber, as they have all the skills and tools required to diagnose and resolve blockages effectively.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Sink Blockages

Better than any troubleshooting method or repair is to not face the issue in the first place. To make this possible, you can make a few changes to your daily routines and the way you use your sink to minimise the chance of future blockages. 

You can try to keep your sink clean and functional by:

• Installing a sink strainer over your drains to catch any food scraps, hair and rubbish before it goes down the drain. You can then clean your strainer regularly into your bin to prevent blockages.
• Avoiding pouring grease and oil down the sink. Instead, pour them into a disposable dish or bag, let them solidify and then put them in the rubbish bin.
• Running hot water down the sink after each use. Running hot and soapy water down your sink after doing the dishes can help to fully clear any buildup and reduce the chances of blockages.
• Scheduling regular maintenance with a professional plumber to check for and repair damages or wear that can turn into major problems down the line.

Keeping Your Sink Clean and Functional

Don’t stress out over blocked sinks any longer. By understanding the causes and knowing common troubleshooting solutions, you can confidently overcome this issue and get back to your normal routine sooner. 

But remember, if in doubt, call the professionals! If you have any reservations about trying any of the methods we outlined above, you can always just skip to the final step and pick up the phone instead. Our experienced plumbers are here to help clear your blocked drains 24/7, 365, so you never have to worry.