Blocked Sink? Here’s How to Fix It Fast (DIY Tips That Work)

Dealing with a [clogged sink]? Don’t panic—most blockages can be cleared quickly using a few simple household items. Whether it’s hair in your bathroom drain or food scraps in your kitchen, these DIY tips will get your sink draining like new.

Key Takeaways

✅ Kitchen sink clogs are often caused by grease, food, or soap residue.
✅ Bathroom sinks usually clog due to hair and toothpaste buildup.
✅ Simple fixes like boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or plunging are often enough.
✅ Preventative habits and regular maintenance go a long way.

What Causes a Clogged Sink?

Before you reach for tools, it helps to know what’s causing the blockage. Different rooms = different clogging culprits.

Bathroom Sinks

• Hair trapped in the drain

• Soap scum buildup

• Hardened toothpaste

• Small objects like earrings or clips

Kitchen Sinks

• Cooking oils, fats, or grease solidifying in pipes

• Food scraps like rice, pasta, and eggshells

• Coffee grounds or tea leaves

• Dishwashing detergent mixed with food residue

General Causes

• Blocked P-trap (the curved pipe under the sink)

• Slow drainage from years of residue buildup

• Sewer issues causing multiple sinks to clog simultaneously

DIY Solutions for a Clogged Sink

Try these quick and effective fixes before calling a plumber:

1. Boiling Water

🔥 Best for: Grease and soap blockages

• Boil a full kettle of water

• Pour directly into the drain

• Repeat 2–3 times if needed

2. Baking Soda + Vinegar Reaction

🧪 Best for: Organic buildup

• Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain

• Follow with 1 cup of vinegar

• Let it fizz for 15 minutes

• Flush with hot water

3. Use a Plunger

🪠 Best for: Mild food or hair clogs

• Fill the sink slightly with water

• Place plunger over the drain and plunge for 30 seconds

• Check if water flows freely

Stubborn Sink Blockage? Try This

4. Clean the P-Trap

🛠️ Best for: Physical debris stuck in the pipe

• Place a bucket underneath the sink

• Unscrew the P-trap

• Remove any visible gunk

• Reassemble and test the flow

5. Use a Plumbing Snake

🔩 Best for: Deep or stubborn clogs

• Insert the snake into the drain

• Rotate while feeding it down

• Break through or pull out the clog

• Flush with hot water

Preventing Future Clogs

Don’t want to do this again next week? Follow these simple tips:

• 🧽 Use a sink strainer – Stops food and hair before it enters the pipe

• 🛢️ Never pour grease down the sink – Let it cool and bin it

• ♨️ Weekly boiling water flush – Stops buildup early

• 🚫 Avoid washing these down the sink:

  • Coffee grounds

  • Rice and pasta

  • Eggshells

  • Fibrous peels like celery

• 🔁 Monthly baking soda + vinegar flush – Keep pipes clear naturally

• 🔧 Clean your P-trap every few months

When to Call a Professional Plumber

If your DIY efforts fail, or if the issue is more serious, it’s time to call the pros.

📞 Contact JR Gas & Water if:

• You have multiple sinks clogged at once

• Water is backing up into sinks or tubs

• You smell foul odours from the drain

• You hear gurgling when draining water

We’re local, licensed, and experts in drain clearing across Brisbane and Gold Coast.

➡️ Book a professional drain service today

Summary

A [clogged sink] doesn’t always require a plumber. In many cases, boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or a plunger can fix the issue fast. But if the clog keeps coming back, or you suspect a more serious blockage, get in touch with the plumbing experts at JR Gas & Water.

✅ Save money with DIY tips
✅ Know when to call a professional
✅ Prevent future issues with smart habits

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I pour down a sink to unclog it?
Boiling water, baking soda and vinegar, or an enzyme-based drain cleaner are good first options.

2. What is the fastest way to unclog a sink?
Try pouring boiling water followed by plunging. It clears most minor clogs quickly.

3. What’s the best tool for sink blockages?
A sink plunger or a drain snake is ideal, depending on how deep the blockage is.

4. How do I stop my sink from clogging again?
Use sink strainers, don’t pour grease down the drain, and do monthly cleaning flushes.

5. When should I call a plumber for a clogged sink?
If water backs up, multiple drains are blocked, or odours persist—it’s time to call a licensed plumber.

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