Blocked Pedestal Sink

Fire_Fox

Bathroom sink has not been running properly for a while, have just cleaned it and shoved an (old!) toothbrush down the plughole to clean it. Loads of black gunk and hair came up but it's still blocked. Assume we need to clear out the u-bend but there is a pedestal in the way. You can reach round with your hand, but not an easy job as the sink is squashed between a wall and the bath. I have previously tried an enzyme-based drain cleaner without success.

Several questions really ... is emptying the u-bend a wise thing for amateurs to attempt? Do we unscrew the trap with the pedestal in place? How do you avoid a disgusting mess (no room for a bowl)? Would a plumber even want to come and do our dirty work? How do you get rid of the black gunk that gets into anywhere damp, sinks/ washing machines etc: is bleach the answer or a drain unblocking solution?

Thanks very much!

Edited to add: there is no smell, the water just runs really slowly.

sandraroffey

mr muscle!!!! its the only way!!!!

blow all that taking the trap off and so on.

pebble65

Buy some washing soda crystals and make up a solution as advised on the pack, allow it to drain through the sink -it clears a lot of gunk. Do this once amonth or so and it will keep your sink clear.
You can also buy a useful gadget from any good DIY/hardware store-i dont know what the proper name is -but its like a metal coil(like a snake) that is weighted at one end and pointed at the other-the point goes down the small holes in your plughole and as its flexible it can push (gently) through blockages to allow water to flow better

Mr_Warren_2

Sometime you have to put your hands in it and any amount of potion and lotin will not remove the air, gunk and other bit and pieces. Wrap a large beach towell at the base of the u-bend, unscrew both ends and enjoy clearing the mess. No need to remove the pedestal for the job. Wear a pair of rubber gloves, it will be easier to undo the u-bend (remember to unscrew the correct way.......)

ariba10

If there is hair in it, you will be better off in having the trap removed and cleaned

plumb1_2

sandraroffey wrote: »

mr muscle!!!! its the only way!!!!

It will be like a monkies arm pit, clogged up with hair, you will have try and pull it out of the waste.Dont use mr muscle.

babs2008

A little while ago ours was similarly blocked.

I'd tried bleach and mr muscle stuff, but in the end filling the sink up with water and using a plunger did the job. Took a few goes but it's back to normal now.

Failing that I would have gone on to remove and clear the trap.

I'm sure it's something you can sort without having to pay a plumber.

Fire_Fox

Thanks everyone: just a bit nervous as we don't have a good track record with even basic DIY! :rolleyes: Presently have the last of the enzyme cleaner down the hole, but not holding out much hope. I have washing soda in stock but, for ethical reasons, I don't like using the more toxic chemicals unless absolutely necessary.

Having inspected the set up again, I don't think we can access the trap without removing the pedestal. Guess it will be good experience, and I will be more likely to perform regular maintenance on the plumbing in my flat in future!

In the future is there any reason I can't put half a fizzing toilet tablet (chlorine plus citric acid I think) down on a regular basis?

SplanK

i had a sink that was blocked - tried to do it the manual way but it was not shifting.... it was full of hair and soap scum,,

so instead of these stuff you can get from supermarkets - i went straight to B&Q and bought some unblocker thats in a yellow container - cant remember the name now - however its quite dangerus stuff... I think its just more or less sulfuric acid..

poured a cupful down the drain, left for 2hrs then poured some very hot (around 80-90c) down it and it shifted the blockage away no problem! Best £5 ive ever spent I think so far

SKIPPY

SplanK wrote: »

- i went straight to B&Q and bought some unblocker thats in a yellow container - cant remember the name now - however its quite dangerus stuff... I think its just more or less sulfuric acid..

poured a cupful down the drain, left for 2hrs then poured some very hot (around 80-90c) down it and it shifted the blockage away no problem! Best £5 ive ever spent I think so far

Probably more likely to be caustic soda, very good but don't get it on your hands!

hotcookie101

Power Plumber (I think thats what it called) worked a treat for our blocked bathroom sink-its an aerosol thing that shoots compressed air through the pipes. You need to block the overflow (and hold it there-it got blown out of the way the first time we used it!) but it shot a blockage of cotton buds/hair/tissues (previous owners had kids who obviously thought sink was a bin) straight out. Fabulous stuff