How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink or Toilet

We've all been there. That dreaded clogged drain or toilet that usually occurs at the worst possible time too. Apart from being highly inconvenient, it can be incredibly smelly and off putting too. Instead of waiting hours for a plumber to arrive, we’ve put together a guide on what you can try at home on how to unclog a toilet or sink drain.

Even though we specialise in bathroom and kitchen products, accessories and renovation must-have’s, CTM also has your back when it comes to all thing’s bathroom DIY. With our easy-to-follow guide, you can unclog a toilet or bathroom sink in minutes - without any harsh chemicals or expensive tools.

What are The Main Causes of Bathroom Sink and Toilet Clogs?

The two main reasons for bathroom sinks and toilets getting clogged are when the wrong materials get flushed down the sink or toilet like wet wipes or other thicker paper materials and tree roots growing into the underground pipes.

Unfortunately, if your problem is tree roots, then you’re most likely going to have to call a plumber as they need to be professionally chopped up from deep within your underground piping using a special machine.

If your problem is clogging due to the wrong materials in the drain, then these tricks to unclog a toilet can be used with great results. Remember, toilet paper is designed to break up easily in water but other materials like wet wipes, sanitary towels or other foreign materials cannot break up as easily and they often line the piping and create blockages. Here’s how to unclog a bathroom sink or toilet in no time at all.

3 Ways to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

If your bathroom sink is clogged and the water just isn’t going down, these three tricks should help to unclog it pretty quickly

#1 – Use Drain Snake or Plunger

Use a drain snake (which is a specially designed device for unclogging drains) which is basically a long metal cable on one end and a corkscrew attachment on the other. You simple place the long metal piece into the drain with the corkscrew attachment going in first, and the wind the snake as it goes down to break up any materials or blockages.

If you want to know how to unclog a bathroom sink full of water, the best device to use is a good-old plunger. Simply place the plunger over the drain hole and plunge several times. This should create enough of a vacuum to release the blockage and allow the water the drain down the sink.

#2 – Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is an age-old method, that works like a charm. Mix a solution of two cups of white vinegar with one cup of baking soda. Pour the solution down the drain slowly, allow it to sit in the drain for 10 – 15 minutes before rinsing warm water down the drain to clear.

#3 - Use Boiling Water

This solution works really well, especially if the drain is blocked up by soap scum or matted hair. Fill a kettle with water and boil. Once it’s boiling, pour it straight down the drain. You might want to repeat this twice or three times for best results.

3 Ways to Unclog Toilet

If the toilet is your area of irritation, then follow these three easy ways to unclog a toilet, to get it flushing perfectly again in no time.

#1 – Use A Plunger

A plunger may be the cleverest, and most underrated, tool ever invented. It works really well for blocked drains, and works equally well for clogged toilets too. Simply place the suction cup in the toilet and give it 5 to 10 really good plunges to move whatever debris or blockage is causing the problem in the pipe. After you’ve plunged, give the toilet a flush to clear.

#2 – Use A Coat Hanger

Make a DIY snake with an old wire coat hanger you have lying around. Unravel the wire and straighten the hanger out. On the sharp end, wrap some duct tape around it to prevent the sharp edge from damaging the porcelain. Holding one end, slowly move the hanger down the toilet bowl and allow it to reach down as far as it will go, you may need to shimmy and move it around a bit. This method works well if you have a blockage that isn’t too far from the end of the toilet bowl.

#3 – Make a DIY Drain Cleaning Solution

At night, before you go to bed, make a solution of two cups white vinegar and one cup baking soda. Pour the solution into the toilet bowl. Then pour two or three kettles full of boiling water down the toilet too and leave it, do not flush. Leave this overnight, to soak down into the pipe and drain, and dissolve the blockage. You can flush it again in the morning.

Why You Should Unclog Bathroom Sink and Toilets Quickly When They Are Blocked?

Ideally, you want to address the blockage as soon as it becomes apparent. If you leave the blockage, simply because it seems small or you think it will pass, it may get worse over time and become a really big problem later on. Use one of our DIY tips on how to unclog a bathroom sink drain or toilet for great results, quickly.

For everything, you’ll need to turn your bathroom into a stylish space in your home, within the budget that’ll make you smile, shop at CTM online today.