Slightly blocked plug-hole - Advice?

Gillby1

My bathroom sink plug is emptying the sink really, really slowly. I wondered if anyone has some old-style advice about clearing it? It's no use using anything liquidy coz it just drains away (albeit slowly) before it can do any good.

I'll pick up a sink unblocker from Tesco if needed, but thought i'd check with you guys first.

Thanks!

Gills

frosty

I have just unblocked my bathroom sink with bicarb and white vinegar,you pour a tub of bicard down the plughole then pour a cup of vinegar on top of it, it fizzes a lot, it might be worth a try.

Nile

Hello Gillyby1


Have you had a close look at the plug hole? Can you see hair and gunk collected around and under the plug hole? When ours needs a clear out, I use a pair of tweezers to pull the hair (and gunk) out. It's amazing how much hair collects in the sink/bath if that's the one you use to wash your hair.;)

I'd try the tweezer method first, to save some money on sink unblocker stuff. Save the nasty chemicals as a last resort.

I hope that helps.

billy_the_kid_2

I still get the best results from the old tried and trusted elbow grease method. Buy yourself a sink plunger and go for it. You will get the best results by blocking off the overflow with a rag or face flannel. No nasty chemicals.

Queenie

I use a solution (strong!) of soda crystals on very very hot water!
Give it a whirl before you go out and spent a mint on drain cleaner.

Also, sometimes, for mild blockages, I place the flat of my hand over the plughole and "pump" it ... like the old gag of making a pooping sound under the arm pit? ... that can create just enough "suction" to clear any wee blockages.

HTH

cattie

If you haven't got a plunger you can use a piece of old rag & keep pressing on it over the plug hole as you would a plunger. It's a good standby method & better than using your hand as Queenie sometimes does.

thriftlady_2

Nile wrote:

, I use a pair of tweezers to pull the hair (and gunk) out. It's amazing how much hair collects in the sink/bath if that's the one you use to wash your hair.;)

.

I use an old toothbrush for doing this as the hair wraps itself around the brush into one long, slimy disgusting looking blob! sorry if that wasTMI

eileenfromplaistow

Or to get really gross, unscrew the u-bend (with a bowl underneath of course), and go at that with a toothbrush.
Before this I would try 1.hot water and washing soda, 2. bicarb and vinegar and then the sink plunger to push all the loosened gunk through the pipe.

nikiyoung

Nile wrote:

Have you had a close look at the plug hole? Can you see hair and gunk collected around and under the plug hole? When ours needs a clear out, I use a pair of tweezers to pull the hair (and gunk) out. It's amazing how much hair collects in the sink/bath if that's the one you use to wash your hair.;)

I'd try the tweezer method first, to save some money on sink unblocker stuff. Save the nasty chemicals as a last resort.

Or i use cotton wool buds they just fit down the hole in the pulg quite nicely!

Bogof_Babe

I use a large crochet hook which works very well as far as it reaches. Anything stuck beyond that depth gets the Mr Muscle treatment.

superscotsman

Sometimes the cause of the blockage is congealed fat. A kettle of boiling water will melt it and that will shift the blockage.