subject: Plumbing Advice: How To Keep The Kitchen Sink Clean And Clear [print this page] A blocked sink can be extremely inconvenient, especially if youve got guests coming round or you need to do the washing up. Taking out plumbing insurance with a reputable company Taking out plumbing insurance with a reputable company can help in an emergency, but there are ways to maintain your waterworks from day-to-day heres how!
Put all leftovers in the bin
First and foremost, its essential to scrape all leftover food into the bin before washing up. This will stop bits of pasta and rice from spiralling down the plughole and should stop water from backing up into the sink. Itll also reduce the amount of grease and oil entering the plumbing system and will keep things sparkling for a lot longer than usual. If scraps of lunch or dinner end up in the sink, fish them out using a mini sieve and remove anything floating around on the surface.
Use natural cleaners
No matter how vigilant you are, its inevitable that some particles will escape down the dark abyss. To stop them from clinging to the pipes or getting trapped in the u-bend, simply put several teaspoons of baking soda down the plughole followed by a few glugs of vinegar. The chemical reaction of the two products will remove any grime and should dislodge blockages. Once the fizzing and hissing has stopped, wash the pipes out with hot water and let the taps run for a few minutes.
Use chemical cleaners
If the water in your sinks draining away slowly, try using a plunger (to dislodge anything nasty) before using a chemical cleaner. Most solutions are stronger than baking soda and vinegar and will freshen up your system. Always follow the instructions on the bottle, however and make sure the products compatible with your pipes (so you dont get any corrosion). If your sink is still playing up, many companies offer appliance repairs that could help.
Make the most of lemon juice
Blocked sinks can give off a terrible smell, so use lemon juice to neutralise the odour. Simply squeeze a little fresh juice down the sink, or use a bottled alternative as this will be just as effective. Leave it in there for around half an hour before washing through with warm water. You should notice a difference, but if you dont there might be a lot of gunk down the sink that needs to be removed by a professional.
Unblock the sink yourself
Sometimes, cleaners and plungers dont do the trick and you need to take apart the pipes. If it comes to this, ensure you turn off the water valve (to prevent a flood) and have a bucket nearby to catch water thats already in the pipes. Unscrew the nuts and poke out anything grim with a piece of plumbing wire or your finger (wearing gloves of course). Reassemble everything and test. Be aware that plumbing mistakes are common according to experts, so take your time to carry out the task.
Keep your sink clean and clear and save on expensive plumbing bills.
