Sink blocked? Take a wrench, not a pipe cleaner

If you find that there is standing water in your sink and it is no longer draining properly, you have probably reached that problematic stage where hair and other things have become trapped in the pipe below the drain.

You’ll need to fix the problem, and the experts at DIY Academy Germany have lots of good advice to help you solve the problem.

Firstly, they say, you shouldn’t resort to chemical drain unblockers, as they can make the problem worse. They cause a chemical reaction that generates a lot of heat that can cause soap, grease and hair deposits to form an even more solid blockage.

Instead, a little manual labor is required. “The best way is to remove the waste trap under the sink and clear the blockage by hand,” says Robert Raschke-Kremer of DIY Academy.

To do this, first clean the sink drain with a long brush. Then it’s time to dismantle the trap, the U-shaped part of the pipe under the sink.

Using a wrench (also known as an adjustable wrench), first loosen the two locking rings on the curved part of the trap. The trap elbow can then be removed. It is important to remember to place a bucket underneath to collect the drained water and trapped waste.

If you have trouble undoing the pipe connections, you can use penetrating oil to solve the problem. It is usually sold in aerosol cans and you can apply it precisely using the flexible tube provided with it. If you let the penetrating oil sit for a short time, stuck screws can usually be loosened without any problems.

You can now manually remove the stuck hair and soap residue from the pipe – you’ll probably want to wear rubber gloves for this job. Use a long brush to remove any remaining deposits.

When reassembling the tubes and connectors, it is advisable to replace the rubber seals on the locking rings. Then screw the tube back on – job done.

For drainage problems in the bathtub or shower where the pipes are more difficult to reach, you can use a plunger to unblock them.

First tape the overflow or seal it with a cloth, then pour some warm soapy water down the drain and press the plunger firmly onto it. By moving the handle evenly up and down, you will create a vacuum that will loosen the blockage.

If you want to prevent the problem from happening, DIY Academy recommends placing a silicone or stainless steel strainer over the drain, to catch hair, soap bits, and other problematic bits before they can create a blockage.