Stuck with a Clogged Sink in Toronto? Follow These Tips!

Is your life filled with painfully clogged sinks? Toronto homeowners who deal with standing water in a kitchen sink or bathroom vanity are frustrated by how these plumbing issues slow them down from getting work done around the house. However, there are ways to tackle this reoccurring problem so you don’t have to feel bad every time you turn your taps, fearing that the water won’t drain. If water pools in your sink, you’ll have several options for dealing with it.

You don't have to be a professional plumber to diagnose standing water in your basin, and you don't need certified expertise to start dealing with that clogged sink. Toronto homeowners may think that drainage systems are complex, but the solutions for minor drain issues are usually simple. Deep, stubborn drain blockages might require something more robust though.

If you need help with clogged sinks, Toronto plumbers at Mr. Rooter can get the job done quickly and effectively. We're a local resource for everything from quick tips and professional advice to outstanding drain repair service. We've got the information you need about how to clear a clogged sink and how to stop it from coming back so you won’t have to continuously call a plumber.

Tips for Clearing a Clogged Sink

Whether you just want to know if you're flushing a substance you shouldn't be, you want a simple guide to using a drain snake or immediate assistance from a licensed plumber, count on our team of experienced plumbers. We can help you take matters into your own hands, but we'll be right here, just in case you need us.

Are you currently staring at a sink full of dirty water? Trick question! You're looking at this article right now. If the reason you're reading these words is that you want a way to clear a clogged sink, Toronto plumbers have some good advice. Let's put our heads together. One way or another, we will clean out that clogged drain.

Preparation Steps:

Cover One Side of a Double-Sink

Depending on where your standing water is, there are several steps you should take before you start plunging or pouring. If you've got standing water on one side of a double basin, you should plug the other side with a piece of cloth. Otherwise, unpleasant grime and sludge might seep or even splash out due to the high pressure.

Plug the Overflow Hole in a Bathroom Sink

If you're dealing with a clogged sink in your bathroom, make sure you plug that overflow hole above the basin. Use plumber's tape if you have it, or duct tape if you don't. A wet rag will also do the job. Plugging your overflow hole will help you create more suction, and prevent anything nasty from coming out.

Put Aside That Chemical Drain Cleaner

Your local Toronto plumber recommends putting away any chemical drain cleaners you might be holding. Those products won't help if you already have a clogged sink. Toronto property owners aren’t always aware that harsh chemicals have a corrosive effect and can ruin plumbing fixtures if they use them too often. Plant-based cleaners or other natural enzymatic cleaners are generally more environmentally friendly for everyday use, but you should avoid pouring chemicals down your clogged sink. Toronto plumbers at Mr. Rooter have replaced many drain lines due to corroded parts and early deterioration.

Grab Some Gloves

Rubber gloves aren't absolutely necessary, but they'll prevent any wastewater or other debris from sticking to your hands while you work. Unclogging a sink is often messy, and you may come in contact with contaminants and other bacteria, so it's always best to come prepared for backsplash. You might also want a pair of protective goggles, a mouth mask, and wear clothes that will go straight to the wash after.

OK, It’s Time to Plunge!

Do you own a plunger? Yes? Excellent. Clogged drains are the reason why every household needs one. However, there are different types of plungers. If you don't have a standard cup plunger, you might have some difficulty clearing a clogged sink. Toronto plumbing experts recommend cup plungers for unclogging kitchen and shower drains and every similar waste outlet. That flat cup is better for creating suction in a sink than the end of a toilet plunger or accordion plunger.

A good plunger doesn't require many directions. Simply place the cup over the hole, ensuring that it sits flat and has at least a little water covering the rim, and start plunging. Slow and steady is as good advice for dealing with a blockage in a plumbing system as it is in any situation.

Start slow, and gradually increase speed until you reach a natural, steady rhythm. Keep plugging until you feel the blockage move away or your water backup starts going down. Once your blockage is gone, turn on your faucet for a few seconds, just to confirm the clog has been cleared.

Use The Drain Snake

If plunging your clogged sink doesn't work, you could try snaking. Plumbing snakes are available from most hardware stores in Toronto, and they also don't require much instruction. Unfortunately, snaking a drain clog is much messier than plunging. You'll definitely want rubber gloves for this one.

Clear the area around your counters and don't leave anything that you wouldn't be comfortable seeing splattered with sewer slime. Next, put on your gloves, uncoil your snake, and insert the bristled end into the blocked pipe.

Keep pushing it down the waste line until you feel it hit something. That's your blockage. Once you feel that impact, twist your snake around and push at the same time. With a little luck, you'll pick up all that gunk. Now all you have to do is pull it out — and clean the mess that comes with it.

Vinegar, Baking Soda and Hot Water

Not all plumbing repairs involve special tools. This is the choice for homeowners who don't own a snake or plunger. Vinegar, baking soda, and water should really be reserved for routine DIY drain cleaning, but they might also help with your clogged sink.

Toronto homeowners may start by boiling some water. While you're waiting, measure out about one cup of both vinegar and baking soda. Don't mix them yet! Grab a funnel first, or any implement suitable for pouring both materials into your clogged sink drain. Add your vinegar, then your baking soda, then wait. They should start foaming and fizzing quite quickly.

Give that mixture about five minutes to take full effect. Now would be an excellent time to remove that water from the heat. Once five minutes pass, carefully pour that hot water down after them, being extra careful not to burn yourself. Wait another minute or two, then run your taps to see if it worked.

Hmm… What if None of These Options Work?

Different types of clogs require different solutions. If your issues are caused by blockage deeper in a sewer line, more advanced plumbing equipment might be necessary. If you've tried all of the above and nothing has worked, now is the time to call a licensed plumber.

Sadly, that blockage issue won't go away on its own. Luckily, our Toronto plumbers are happy to help! They have the advanced skill, expertise, and tools to deal with the toughest clogs in Toronto.

Some advanced technology we use includes:

• Sewer camera inspection: This non-invasive tool allows your qualified plumber to inspect the interior of your pipes. A flexible camera is attached to a cable and lowered down the drain line, or the sewer trap to access your residential sewer lateral. The sewer camera allows us to assess your pipe’s age, material, and condition and also locate the clog. With additional tools, we’ll be able to complete a damage and leak detection service as well. If we determine that your stubborn kitchen sink clog is related to other parts of your plumbing, we’ll suggest drain cleaning services.
• HydroScrub® Jetting: Hydro jetting is a cutting-edge technology that our Toronto plumbers use to clean the interior of pipes. Not only does it break through clogs, but the water jets of 3000 psi can also cut through tree roots and clear the walls from mineral deposits, sludge, and other stubborn debris that standard plunging and snaking won’t clear. When hiring Mr. Rooter’s professional drain cleaning to tackle a clogged sink, Toronto property owners can also benefit from cleaner waste lines throughout their homes and get the peace of mind of knowing that their sewer line is in good condition.

Tips for Preventing Sink Blockage

Clean Your Sink: This tip is simple, easy, and effective. You know that mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, and water we talked about earlier? Pouring that down your waste lines on a regular basis will help prevent a future plumbing problem. Often, running hot water for about 10 minutes may also help the flow in your sewer pipe. Many Toronto homeowners use just this method to avoid potential complications.

Clean Your Garbage Disposal: Also known as a garburator, this unit requires more maintenance than you might want. If clogged or dirty, it could minimize flow and cause blockages that could also affect your dishwasher’s functions. When dealing with a clogged sink, Toronto homeowners may find relief after clearing their garbage disposal.

Install Strainers: Food debris and hair are two of the most common clog culprits for clogged sinks in Toronto. You should always avoid letting both enter your drainage system. That means never flushing food scraps, brushing your hair away from fixtures, and installing strainers to catch smaller food particles and stop hair gathering in your bathroom pipes.

Don't Flush FOG: We're not talking about London fog, either the beverage or the weather phenomenon. When it comes to Toronto plumbing, FOG refers to fats, oils, and cooking grease. Those substances are smooth and runny when they're hot, but they solidify as they cool. That's not something you ever want happening inside your drainage system.

Compost Coffee Grounds: Home-brewed coffee is delicious, and soothing, and keeps Toronto homeowners and plumbers going! But, those leftover grounds should always be thrown-out or composted, not flushed. Coffee grounds clump together when wet, which means they could create a clogged pipe. Throw them in your garden instead. They make great fertilizer!

Get Professional Drain Cleaning Service: All complex systems require routine maintenance. Toronto's pipes and plumbing fixtures are no different. Professional drain cleaning service includes a wide range of tools and techniques that go beyond any other effective method. A regular appointment for cleaning and inspection will protect you against a possible plumbing emergency down the line.

When Should You Call a Professional Plumber?

Some Toronto drainage issues need techniques that are only used by Toronto plumbers. You should seek quality plumbing services any time you can't handle a clog on your own, and you should stay alert for any serious warning signs of a major plumbing emergency. Sometimes, a clogged sink in Toronto is simply caused by a clump of coffee grounds, and sometimes it's caused by catastrophic damage in your sewer line. Often warning signs are so severe, they may indicate it’s time for a drain replacement.

Warning Signs:

• Multiple stubborn clogs
• Gurgling noises
• Slow drains
• Rotten sewage odours
• Frequent backups
• Low water pressure
• Permanent puddles in your lawn
• Sewage backups

Got a Clogged Sink in Toronto? Count on Mr. Rooter to Unclog It!

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Toronto is here for you! We have essential plumbing services for every situation, and we always provide a friendly, safe, worry-free experience, for everything from routine maintenance and plumbing repairs to an appointment for emergency plumbing services.

If you're looking for a friendly, licensed Toronto plumber, call today! While you’re here, why not learn more about our sump pump services or sewer line repairs?