This has probably already happened to you: the water in the sink or shower no longer drains properly. With a simple trick, you can unclog even the most stubborn blockages.
If the drain is blocked, it is usually a sign that hair and other dirt particles are stuck in the pipes and can no longer be drained. Then even more dirt builds up until the drain is completely clogged and no water flows into the bathroom or kitchen.
To unblock the drain, you can find many products in drugstores or supermarkets. However, most drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that, in the long run, are not only bad for joints and pipes, but also expensive, harmful to health and the environment. Instead, plumbers use common dishwashing liquid. It is an economical alternative to chemical unblockers in the household section.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pour half a bottle of regular dishwashing liquid directly down the drain.
- Place the sink stopper in the drain, or adjust the stopper so that no water enters the drain at this time.
- Fill the sink with hot water.
- Remove the stopper so all the hot water can flow down the drain. Caution: Be careful with hot water and use a fork or other utensil to safely remove the clog.
- Important: Once you have drained the water, the drain will not be immediately clear. Normally, it takes a few minutes before the blockage dissolves and the water can drain.
Among plumbers, the dishwashing liquid method is a simple and widely used trick for quickly unblocking a drain. If you don’t see any improvement after several hours, you should in any case call a plumber. He will be able to advise you and help you accordingly. To prevent clogs in the future, we recommend using a sink filter. This prevents hair and other residue from entering the drain.