Unclogging a Utility Sink Using a Plunger

Utility sinks seem to get blocked quite a bit more often than the other drains. This could be because of the diverse nature of uses that we subject them to. With all of the materials that get flushed down a utility sinks drain, it isn't surprising that they can and do get clogged so frequently. So you are going to want to know how to handle any and all clogs without having to call in a plumber each time, since that can get really expensive pretty quick.

So before you begin, you are going to need to get some fairly basic items from around your house. These items are going to be a plunger, some towels, and some petroleum jelly. You are going to need a plunger that has a large suction cup. This is so that it can completely cover the entire drain opening in your sink and provide the proper amount of suction needed to remove the blockage in the drain.

Check the water level in the sink. There needs to be enough water to cover the cup of the plunger. It's not just the bottom of the cup, but the entire cup. If there is not enough water to do this, then add some water to whatever is in the sink.

You are going to want to make sure that any and all extra drains are blocked up. Many sinks have an overflow drain that will need to be blocked. In order to block this overflow drain, just use a wet rag and stuff it into the hole. This is going to provide the maximum amount of air or water pressure to be used against the blockage, and have it removed.

After checking the water level and making sure that all other connected secondary drains are blocked, you are ready to begin:

1. Apply some petroleum jelly around the edge of the plunger cup. This, as mentioned earlier, enables a tighter seal to form when you use the plunger.
2. Place your plunger into the sink around the drain's opening. You are going to want to angle the plunger so that there is no air under the cup once you have placed it into the water.
3. Utilizing around twenty repetitions thrust the handle up and down repeatedly. This should remove the blockage, but in the event that normal water flow does not resume immediately, repeat this process a few more times before moving onto a different method.
4. After either removing the blockage, or deciding to use a different method to do so, use the towels to clean up any and all mess made during your project.