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Plumber Recommended Techniques for Unclogging a Sink
We’ve all experienced that pesky problem with a clogged sink, whether it’s your bathroom sink or your kitchen sink. There’s nothing more aggravating than staring at that water that won’t go down into your San Mateo drains. Before you toss your hands in the air or throw in the towel, take some tips from a plumber to get your water flowing again.
Pull Out Your Handy, Dandy Plunger
If you don’t own a plunger, buy one. This tool doesn’t only help you when you’re dealing with a clogged toilet. It can also come to the rescue when you’ve got an annoying blockage in your sink. Simply get a good seal over the drain and use some powerful thrusts. You should see the water start going down. Once the water starts to drain, run hot water to clear the pipes and help the flow. You can also boil water and pour it down the drain. Consider having a smaller plunger that is only reserved for clogs with your sink and your tub. It will be more sanitary and easier to use.
Check Your P-Trap
Look beneath your sink and you’ll see the P-Trap, a section of pipe that looks like the letter U. This is the source of the problem for many clogs as debris, such as hair, grease, or soap scum, becomes trapped in the section of pipe where it dips. It is relatively simple to remove this section of piping in order to inspect it. Be sure to turn the water off to the sink before you take it apart and gather your tools, such as a wrench. Clean the P-Trap well, replace it, and see if your water starts flowing.
Run a Snake Down Your Pipes
If the plunger and the P-Trap don’t help you, you can always try a snake. We recommend leaving this idea to experienced San Mateo plumbers! These sturdy coils of wire are sent down the drain, the corkscrew at the end effectively clearing away anything that is causing a blockage.
Unclogging a sink is a job for the pros. Call James Caccia Plumbing at (650) 342-5363 for all your plumbing needs in the San Mateo, CA area!