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When you need to wash the dishes or rinse off fresh produce, a slow-draining sink can be a major inconvenience. Luckily, there are a number of ways to tackle a clogged drain all by yourself. If you’re wondering which tips to try and which to avoid, use the following do’s and don’ts to protect your plumbing system.

Do:

Use hot water.

Start by turning on the hot tap. In most cases, your slow-draining sink drain is simply coated with grease, coffee grinds, or soap scum, which the warm water will melt away. If the water won’t drain at all, turn off the tap and wait a few minutes before using a plunger.

Try a plunger.

clogged drainFill up your sink with a few inches of warm water, and position a plunger over the clogged drain. Make sure the outer rim is surrounding the drain, and that there are no dishes in the way to break the seal. Then, gently pump the plunger up and down for around 20 seconds, or until you hear a gurgling noise. 

Don’t:

Overlook the strainer.

If your sink has a strainer—one of those small basins with holes—the clog may simply be on the other side of this barrier. Pull up or unscrew the strainer and check the bottom. There may be food scraps or a thick layer of soap scum lining the device, which will effectively slow down your sink drain.

Use chemical drain cleaners.

Many homeowners are tempted to stock up on store-bought chemical drain cleaners. While these might look like an easy fix, they use aggressive chemicals that can erode the inner walls of your plumbing system. In this case, you might relieve the clog, but you’ll be left with a nasty leak.

Instead, call a plumber to remedy a stubborn blockage. They will use a snake to effectively pull out the clogged debris. For stubborn and thick clogs, they may use a water jetting tool that will quickly cut through the debris.

 


When nothing seems to work on your clogged drain, get in touch with All Star Rooter, Sewer and Drain Cleaning of Norwalk, CT. For over three decades, they have been cleaning out a variety of plumbing sewer fixtures for area residents. If the clog is deep within your pipes, they can even use a small, cutting-edge camera to perform a video inspection. To learn more about their advanced services, visit their website or call (203) 286-4498.

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