blocked sink

FirstTimer4Me

hiya

does anyone have suggestions for clearin a semi blocked bathroom sink the water takes ages to drain i've tried a plunger but doesnt seem to clear it dont want to waste money on supermarket items if they dont work

ta if anyone can help

WestonDave

If it is definitely draining down, then careful use according to the instructions on the pack of caustic soda (wilkinsons stock it if your supermarket doesn't) should help clear any greasy stuff blocking it. It is nasty stuff which needs to be treated with respect but I've found it helps clear our bath which gets a build up of hair etc in it. Because it burns skin, I would be wary of using it in a fully blocked sink because if it doesn't work and the pipework has to be dismantled, it will then go all over everything including the person repairing it.

maybe1

The best way I've found to unblock a sink is to prod it with something long and sturdy like a old piece of cable. It has always worked for me.

scoobs02

Try vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Pour both down plug hole and they cause a chemical fizzing reaction. then pour hot water down plughole. works every time for me. Got it from "How clean is your house"

lucylucky

Both Tesco and Asda sink unblockers work very well

SailorSam

It's not difficult to remove the trap, but keep a bucket underneath, and most probably most of the blockage will be there.
When you take the trap away don't forget it's going to be very smelly while yo're working there.

JackRichardPT

Coming from a plumber, its probably a larger item stuck in the pipework restricting the water to flow through at its normal rate.

Try taking a wired coathanger, making it into a straight length with a tiny hook at the end, and prod it down as far as you can go down the plug hole.

If this still doesnt work after the plunging aswell, then you should take off the trap from the waste pipe. This is a simple job and most would just unscrew or open from the cleaning eye.

Be prepared for water to drain out so have a bucket underneath, its really a straight forward job, and to call out a plumber would just be money wasted.

FirstTimer4Me

thanks for all the help

WestonDave wrote: »

I've found it helps clear our bath which gets a build up of hair etc in it

i think its stuck with hair etc., etc., as nothing greasy ever gets put down the bathroom sink but i have to say i'm not confident about removing the trap

macman

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

thanks for all the help

i think its stuck with hair etc., etc., as nothing greasy ever gets put down the bathroom sink but i have to say i'm not confident about removing the trap

Why? it usually involves undoing two plastic nuts. A bucket will catch any residual water in the trap.
The worst case is that you can't get it back on (though the chance of that is probably about 1%), in which case you'd call a handyman out (not a job you need a qualified plumber for).
So how would you be any worse off by trying it yourself?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

If you don't want or can't take the thing apart then get a drain cleaner with sulphuric acid in it & poor it directly down the plug hole (wear gloves & make sure none goes on the sinks surfaces).

Leave it for 10 mins then let the cold tap dribble for 30 secs.

Stop the cold water. Put the plug in. Fill the sink full & pull the plug.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

thanks for all the help

i think its stuck with hair etc., etc., as nothing greasy ever gets put down the bathroom sink but i have to say i'm not confident about removing the trap

See the above post.

Cleaner with sulphuric acid will dissolve the hair. In fact it will dissolve anything organic.