A plumbing expert has shared an ‘easy and effective’ trick for unblocking your kitchen sink at home – and has also explained what you should never pour down the drain
It’s no surprise that kitchen sinks often need unblocking, given the amount of food and debris that unintentionally ends up there.
Peter Clayton from Trade Plumbing has shared some expert advice on how to best deal with this common issue. He warns against disposing of oils and fats down the sink as they can solidify on contact with cold pipes, causing blockages.
“When fat enters drains, it solidifies and becomes stuck to the inside of pipes”, he explains, leading to further issues as food debris sticks to the accumulated fat, creating a blockage.
So, what’s the solution? Peter advises placing these substances in a sealed container or bag and discarding them in general waste. This might involve letting the fat cool before wiping it out of the frying pan and binning it.
He did reveal a handy tip for those who’ve accidentally blocked their drains with water, saying you might not need to call in the pros just yet. He advised: “Pouring a mixture of boiling water and washing up liquid down your drain is an easy and effective solution for blocked pipes.”
This combo works wonders because the hot water tackles any debris, while the soap cuts through grease. Another tried-and-true method is the good old plunger. Peter suggests filling the sink with water before covering the drain with the plunger.
“Push up and down on the plunger for 30 seconds and release”, he says. Patience is key with this technique, Mr Clayton added. Do not panic.
