Clearing a Blocked drain or sink written by: nichea Proper functioning of the plumbing in any house or commercial premises is essential if the people have to stay in the premises. However, the drains or sinks may get blocked periodically due to carelessness, negligence or reasons beyond the users control. As a result, the dirty water may accumulate in the drains or sinks. This can be both inconvenient, unhygienic and cause health promises. The microbes in the dirty water may produce unpleasant odours making the area stink. Hence it is advisable to clear the drain, so that it is possible to use the blocked drain or use blocked sink at the earliest.

The first step to clear the block drain or sink, is to inspect the sink closely. Check if any item has fallen in the drain or sink by mistake. For example a soap holder in the bathroom or soap cover may be covering the sink or drain, obstructing the flow of water in the area. Removing this object will usually ensure that the dirty water gets drained immediately. In some cases, food particles or hair may accumulate in the blocked drain or kitchen sink. This dirt can also be removed manually from the sink or drain, a long stick or tweezer may be needed, if this dirt cannot be removed by hand.

At times, the dirt blocking the flow of water in the sink may be deep inside the drainage pipes, so it is difficult to remove it using conventional methods. In such cases, chemical solvents may be used. These solvents, usually contain concentrated chemicals which react with water to form a highly corrosive solution which dissolves all the dirt which has accumulated in the drain pipe. The food, oil, hair and other substances will be converted into liquids which will flow away quickly. However, these solvents should be handled with care, as they can cause burns and damage the skin.

In some cases, it may be difficult to unclog the drains using conventional methods listed earlier, especially if the blocked drain is caused by mineral deposits due to hard water. These deposits will be formed on the inner surface of the pipe, gradually reducing its inner diameter and impeding the flow of dirty water. In such cases, it is advisable to use the technique used by a professional plumber to unblock the pipe and drains. One of the more recently developed techniques are hydrojetting or water jetting, using a high pressure water jet to remove all the grime and deposits from the inner surface of the pipe.