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How to Unclog Your Sink Without a Plunger
Having to unclog your sink isn’t something that you should expect to happen a lot. Even so, it is still important to know how to do it. If your sink does become blocked, knowing how to unclog it without a plunger can be really useful!
What can I use instead of a plunger?
Not everyone will have a plunger in their kitchen. Here are some other methods you can use to unclog your sink.
- Boiling water
- Salt
- Bicarbonate of soda
- Vinegar
- A plumber’s snake
- Coat hanger
Boiling water
The easiest and cheapest way to unclog your sink is using boiling water. We can’t guarantee this will work but it’s worth trying since it’s so easy. If there is standing water in the sink, try to remove this first by collecting it in a jug or similar. Then bring the kettle to boil or simply run your boiling water tap if you have one.
Pour all the boiling water into the sink and see what happens. It could be that you need to repeat the process a few times.
The heat should help to break down whatever is causing the blockage. It’s a good place to start and works on most simple blockages.
Salt
If boiling water alone isn’t shifting it, then adding some salt to the process can help. After you’ve removed all the standing water, add some salt. Roughly seven tablespoons of salt should be enough. Leave it to work for a few minutes, then add boiling water again.
Salt & bicarbonate of soda
This is a good combination for taking on blocked sinks. The mixture should be 2 parts bicarbonate of soda to every 1 part of salt. A good measurement is about half a pint glass of bicarbonate of soda. Add half as much salt to that and then put it in the sink. Let it sit for a few hours, or even overnight if you can, then rinse through with boiling water.
Bicarbonate of soda with vinegar
If the last combination didn’t work, then don’t put the bicarbonate of soda away! Mix it with white vinegar instead. Mix half a pint of bicarbonate of soda with half a pint of vinegar. Pour the mixture into the plug hole and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Run the hot tap and rinse it down.
A plumber’s snake
Whilst you may not own one of these, this is a useful tool to own and can save the day if you experience a blocked sink. Especially if the blockage is a deep one that’s coming from right down in the pipes. You have to be a dab hand at DIY, as you’ll need to get to the stub pipe of the sink, and this can involve removing some parts.
Once you’ve done that, you use the plumber’s snake. You can use a plumber’s snake directly from the sink into the drain. Keep feeding it through the pipes. You will start to feel resistance when it encounters the blockage. This should break through whatever is clogging the pipes. You may want to look up some tutorials of how to use a plumber’s snake if you’ve never used one before. It is always best to seek professional advice if you are unsure or not very confident with DIY.
Coat hanger
No plunger? No plumber’s snake? If you send a straightened wire hanger down your plug hole, you may be able to find where it is clogged. A coat hanger won’t go as far down as a plumber’s snake but could be the quick fix you’re after for a stubborn blockage. Just be careful not to damage the pipes or to scratch your sink with the wire.
Waste Disposal Units
Once you’ve unclogged your sink, you’ll want to keep it in the best condition possible. If you want to keep your kitchen sink clean and smelling fresh, it might be time to take a look at waste disposal units. These grind down food waste into fine particles so they can easily flush through your pipework. You can retro fit these into your existing sink so there’s no need to buy a new sink at the same time! For more information on waste disposal units, call our sales team on 0115 965 1937.
Conclusion
Hopefully these simple tricks and tips will help you to unblock your kitchen sink without a plunger. Sometimes, you can unblock a sink yourself using products you already have in your home. The products we recommend using are cost effective and don’t use any nasty chemicals. While these solutions won’t solve every blockage, it is worth trying before you call in the professionals. It might just save you a costly plumber call out!
Now you know how to unclog your kitchen sink, it might be time to invest in a new one! We have a fantastic range of kitchen sinks available from leading brands like Franke and Caple.
