Simpson
Most homeowners have dealt with clogged sinks at least once, if not several times. Sinks can get clogged for various reasons. The most common culprits are food particles and debris. It’s important to note that sinks are designed to drain waste water, not food particles and hair, among other things. If you use your sink to drain such particles, you’ll experience clogs and other plumbing issues at some point. Among the most common signs of a clogged sink include:
1. Slow Drainage
The first noticeable sign of a clogged sink is a slow drain. This is easily noticeable since the water seems to take longer than usual to drain down the sink. Since sinks are vulnerable to debris such as food particles, hair, and soap particles, they are bound to get clogged more than other types of drains.
Once you notice that your sink is draining slowly, fixing the issue as early as possible is important before it escalates and causes severe piping issues. If the issue seems minor, you can try to unclog the sink using homemade remedies or by pouring a chemical dissolver. However, if the issue is severe, for instance, if the water isn’t draining at all, you might need to hire a professional plumber to repair it.
2. Strange Sounds
Have you noticed giggling sounds each time the sink drains and sometimes when there’s no water draining? If yes, it’s another sign of a clogged sink. These sounds commonly originate from sink pipes and fixtures indicating stuck debris. Once debris gets stuck around pipes, the air gets trapped, and the sounds result from displaced air escaping towards the drain hole.
3. Foul Odor
If there’s a bad smell coming from your sink, it definitely indicates a clogged sink. The foul odor results from something stuck in the sink drain and has already started rotting. When food particles or fat make their way into your sink drainage and unfortunately get stuck, they’re bound to rot if the issue isn’t attended to.
A foul smell might be the first or last sign of a clogged sink. Sometimes, you can notice the smell from the sink before seeing visual signs like slow drainage, or you can see visual signs before noticing the smell. Whichever the case, a foul smell indicates one thing: a clogged sink, even if there are no visible signs.
How to Fix A Clogged Sink
A clogged sink can be very inconvenient. For instance, if the clogging is in the kitchen sink, it doesn’t only stop you from washing dishes and cleaning countertops, it can also make your kitchen smell awful as a result. That said, it’s crucial to have the clogging issue fixed as soon as you notice any unusual sign, but it’s even more essential to avoid clogging your sink in the first place.
The first step to preventing clogged sinks is to ensure that no foreign particles such as food, hair, toothpaste, and soap find their way into the sink pipe. When cleaning dishes, ensure to sieve food particles and use liquid soap if necessary to avoid leftover particles from entering the sink drain.
However, if the sink is already clogged, the best thing to do is to correct the issue immediately. But before calling a professional plumber, you might want to fix the issue yourself by:
Using A Plunger
The first thing you should try is using a plunger to unclog the sink. A plunger forces the clog out of the way using suction. All you need is to place the plunger on the drain with water covering its base. Then, start plunging until the drain works again. While doing this, avoid putting excess pressure to avoid damaging the pipes.
Do Away With Grease
The most common cause of clogged sinks is grease. To get rid of the stuck-up grease from the sink’s drain, use the following ingredients to make a homemade drainage cleaner:
- One cup of baking soda
- One cup of table salt
- A quarter cup of cream tartar
Mix all the ingredients in a container and pour a little bit into the drain, then follow it with boiling water. This mixture could help dissolve the grease and unclog the sink. You can also use this mixture regularly as part of sink maintenance.
Call Professional Plumbers
Once the sink is clogged and you can’t seem to solve the issue, it might be time to hire professionals. It’s important to note that sinks can also clog due to severe piping issues you can’t handle. In these cases, it’s best to leave the issue to the professionals.
Conclusion
A clogged sink is a common issue in most homes. Considering how clogged sinks can be devastating, it’s essential to avoid blockages in the first place. You can take good care of your sink by blocking debris and food particles from going down the drain. Routine maintenance must also be established. And once you see the early signs of a clogged sink, attend to the issue immediately or hire plumbers to do the work.
