Forum: lifehacks.stackexchange.com
Tags: <home><kitchen><substitute-tool><sink>
Title: How to unblock a blocked drain without acids/chemicals?
Question: Is there a way to unblock a totally blocked drain (especially kitchen) without using acids or strong chemicals?

I like to avoid acids and chemicals in general for many reasons, one of them is the environment. The drain system in Indonesia where I spend half of the year is different, and sinks and other drains (except toilets) go to a public river, so I do not want to contribute in any environment destruction.

Answers:
sents: text: If it is still full, snakes or the auger will work.
text: If it drains over time, I highly recommend using baking soda + vinegar.
text: Throw baking soda into the drain, pouring some hot water over it and wait about ten minutes.
text: Then follow the soda with vinegar.
text: After the reaction, toss water down it again.
text: Repeat where necessary--
text: it's frequently worked for me, on toilets as well, and is biodegradable so it won't harm ecosystems.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/1903/Jack
score: 7
sents: text: Use a toilet auger - a long bendy metal pipe that you stick in and turn round, made for going round bends.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/1750/h34
score: 4
sents: text: A plunger may help.
text: Use lots of water, in order not to just half-dislodge your material to have it recollect at some later, harder-to-reach place.
text: If the plunger doesn’t help, you may need to take the trap apart and clean it, that’s the primary place for stuff to settle.
text: Don’t worry, the hardest part is often reaching the trap, at least for the equipment used here in western Europe.
text: Remember to place a bucket under it before loosening any connections, and test that
text: it’s
text: watertight after reassembling.
text: Nothing of this is really a lifehack, though.
text: At least with the two answers you got, this question is probably better suited for diy.
text: SE.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/1775/Christopher Creutzig
score: 2
sents: text: Kitchen drains usually have easily accessible (and hand-removable) siphons.
text: If using a plunger (should be readily available in every household) doesn't work, the next easiest and cost-effective thing would be to open the two screws on the siphon (the S-shaped thing under the sink).
text: Pull out what's inside the S-shaped pipe, flush it in the bathroom if you can, and screw it back in place.
text: Be sure not to apply excessive force since siphons are usually made of quite cheap plastic.
text: No wrench, the force that you can apply with your bare hands is enough.
text: If the obstruction is further down, you will need an auger (which you'll have to buy or borrow), but often kitchen sinks are obstructed right in the S-shaped part.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/1891/Damon
score: 2
sents: text: Try a plunger, but be sure to use it properly.
text: A plunger is not intended to force a blockage down the pipe, but to pull blocked material away from whatever is blocking it.
text: Put the plunger against the drain opening.
text: You need to have enough standing water to cover the head of the plunger.
text: Push the plunger down so all air escapes from under it (you want only noncompressible water between the plunger and the blockage; air acts as a shock absorber).
text: Now jerk the plunger up quickly.
text: That might be enough to clear the drain.
text: If that doesn't work, try again a few times, then try moving the plunger up and down quickly.
text: Once water starts to drain, put more water down, and you might have to plunge again a few times to get all of the blocked material broken up and past the obstruction.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/19075/user184411
score: 2
sents: text: If the blockage is a clump(s) (like food particles, etc.) use a plunger.
text: But, if the blockage is not a clump(s) like I described, glue or attach 3 pipe cleaners at the holding area only and swish it around the drain.
text: (only with blockages that are close to the drain entry) If you have some basic plumbing skills, open the drain and clean it your self.
text: (Dig out, pipe cleaner, etc.)
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/24902/Trooper Z
score: 2
sents: text: You can usually find a Zipit, a sort of small disposable plastic drain snake, at a nearby store.
text: They have a very simple design, are cheap, and will clear out most of your blocked sink and shower drains very easily.
text: If the blockage is further down you may need to contact a professional or rent an auger.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/4613/Jim Sanders
score: 1
sents: text: I have used the following, done in the order.1)
text: Plunge out existing water sitting in front of clog.2)
text: Use a clothes hanger or ZipIt to Try to snag and pull out as well as break up some stuff on the sides of the drain as well potentially the clog.3)
text: Refill with water flushing it out, then plunge water out so little to no water in front of the clog.4)
text: Then use a Floor / Curtain Steamer without the floor attachment inserted into the drain with a rag around the drain to trap the steam.
text: Plug the second sink to such as with a garbage disposal.
text: (you should see little steam rising out)
text: Do for 5-10 minutes.5) Flush with water.
text: If still clogged repeat steps 3-5.
text: This basically breaks down the clogging agents (if organic) at the point of the clog but also cleans the interior of the pipes a bit reducing risk of another clog.
text: There is some risk of damage as with any unclogging method, but in this one so far as I am aware is exposing holes / cracks the goo in your drains has been dealing as PVC pipes used in drain plumbing should be able to handle the steam temperature just fine.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/1787/CRSouser
score: 1
sents: text: For unblocking the drain : 1 Cup baking soda 2 Cups vinegar 1 tea kettle of boiling water For preventing this to happen again : simply stock up on white spirit vinegar, castille soap, baking soda, and a few essential oils, and you will be able to make just about every cleaner you will ever need.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/13021/Wha2wear
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
There are many different ways to unblock a drain without using acids or chemicals. One popular method is simply to use a plunger, and another technique would be to use a toilet auger. Alternatively, you could use either baking soda and vinegar. It's also worth considering whether the drain system has easily accessible and hand-removable siphons for removing blockages.
The options are to unblock using a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and hot water, to use a toilet augur, drain snake or plunger or to remove the siphon (s-bend) and clean that out.