Unblocking a sink?

[Andrew_Culture]

About once every couple of months I remove the u-bend from our bathroom sink and give it a good clean. This time it hasn't improved the drainage, so every time we use the sink it takes a very long time to drain, meaning that the filth and soap scum doesn't get whooshed away, instead it gets gently deposited on the porcelain, meaning I'm forever stuck in a Catch 22 type domestic situation of having to clean the sink.

Any ideas for other things to try?

 

[smokeysmoo]

There's a chemical product called One Shot Drain Cleaner that works a treat.

It's potent stuff, use little and often

http://www.homecareessentials.co.uk...Cleaner.html?gclid=CPiLn4GP4r0CFTMetAodvxoAGA

 

[cbs]

Plunger? sounds like the blockage is further on, so this might help. I presume that this is an upstairs bathroom, so it is unlikely that there is a drain blockage? If it is a blockage in the pipes then a good old fashioned plunger does work well.

 

[RWright]

I have had success with liquid drain cleaners.

 

[cbs]

Liquids used before plunging helps - our bathroom has fancy chrome traps that are more restrictive than traditional u-bends and I find that plunging works well with them. It also worked well on the shower waste, causing it to cough up a huge hairball, after which it became very free flowing. The dangers of having three long-haired daughters!

 

[subaqua]

big problem with liquid chemical cleaner is that if it doesn't clear you end up with a blockage and chemicals to deal with

I put a long piece of stiff garden wire with a hook bent on the end down the waste pipe after I had removed the u bend and pushed it through as far as i could then dragged it back.

I showed the resultant hairnestplug to wife and daughter and told them next time its them that clean it

 

[Andrew_Culture]

There's a chemical product called One Shot Drain Cleaner that works a treat.

It's potent stuff, use little and often

http://www.homecareessentials.co.uk...Cleaner.html?gclid=CPiLn4GP4r0CFTMetAodvxoAGA

Blimey, that stuff looks like it's just a shade under being in violation of the Geneva convention. Excellent!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

big problem with liquid chemical cleaner is that if it doesn't clear you end up with a blockage and chemicals to deal with

I put a long piece of stiff garden wire with a hook bent on the end down the waste pipe after I had removed the u bend and pushed it through as far as i could then dragged it back.

I showed the resultant hairnestplug to wife and daughter and told them next time its them that clean it

Sadly I think this might be the way forward :x

For many years I had a shaved head, but now that I've got a barnet I've lost all moral high-ground.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Plunger? sounds like the blockage is further on, so this might help. I presume that this is an upstairs bathroom, so it is unlikely that there is a drain blockage? If it is a blockage in the pipes then a good old fashioned plunger does work well.

We plunge it so often and volubly that passers by must think were either a huge fan of blamanche wrestling or that I have some serious bowel issues.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Caustic soda works for me. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caustic-Soda-Cleaner-Degreaser-Sanitizer/dp/B004WW3V4Y Either water it down or shake it down the drain and slightly run the tap. Keep your eyes and lungs away from it though!

 

[accountantpete]

Prevention is the best cure

 

[ASC1951]

Caustic soda works for me. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caustic-Soda-Cleaner-Degreaser-Sanitizer/dp/B004WW3V4Y Either water it down or shake it down the drain and slightly run the tap. Keep your eyes and lungs away from it though!

That works fine on hairballs and kitchen sink grease, so try it first. But it doesn't work, for instance, on inorganic blockages such as silt - or accumulated toothpaste spittings!

 

[Stonechat]

Had these issues.

1. Pick out fat/hair/scum from the plug area with tweeezers
2. you can get a sirally thing to show dow, this helps too
3. the chemical solutions containing caustic soda work too (be carefull!!!)

 

[cbs]

We plunge it so often and volubly that passers by must think were either a huge fan of blamanche wrestling or that I have some serious bowel issues.

, perhaps you just need a bigger plunger!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Prevention is the best cure
View attachment 42389

Is that a mesh filter?