Tips for preventing Recurring Blockages in a Utility Sink

What You will Need:
Sink drain strainer
Metal container with lid
Drain stopper
Adjustable wrench
Pail


When you have a utility sink its singular function is to get rid of stuff that are a by-product of some sort of craft or work. If you're a painter, you would discard chemical substances and paint in the utility sink, much like a professional cook may discard food particles. The utility sink is usually attached directly to the primary plumbing line that lead to the sewer or septic system. This is what allows you to get rid of these things in this sink as using a normal home sink would find you having more issues with clogging. The utility sink can certainly still become clogged and the following article will explain how to prevent this from occurring.

Step 1 - Strain the Utility Sink

When you are throwing things in to the sink, the larger objects may easily become trapped in the pipe. If the items make it down the pipe then it could possibly get caught in the bend of the pipe. These issues may require the use of a plumbing professional to fix. An easy way to stop this from happening is to put a strainer to the drain. A utility sink does not usually have a strainer that could catch larger items that may be better being dump in the typical garbage instead of poured it down the sink. The strainer needs to be cleaned often to keep it working properly.

Step 2 - Thin it Out

When you are disposing of things like chemicals and paint, it is crucial that they are thinned prior to being dumped down the drain. The paint can seize up and then solidify in the drain pipe which will lead to a problem with proper draining of the utility sink. Chemical substances may actually eat away at material that is caked inside the water pipes. Food and hair are two of the main examples. When these materials dislodge they can become caught further down the pipe. Place a stopper in the drain hole and then pour in your material. Run the water to thin the material out before it is able to go down the drain. Once it is thinned out yank the chain to remove the stopper.

Step 3 - Dispose Elsewhere

There are certain products that should not be dumped down the drain of a utility sink or any sink for that matter. This is primarily the case with food items. Grease is the worst thing you can dump down a drain. The grease will seize up and adhere on the walls of the pipe which will eventually cause a clog. It is best to discard the oil by dumping it inside of a metal tin with a lid. A coffee can is the best case scenario. The oil may then be discarded at a recycling center.

Step 4 - Clean the Bends

The vast majority of clogs in your utility sink are likely to be found in the bend of the pipe below the sink. Use the wrench to remove the coupler. The section of pipe can then be removed and properly cleaned.

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Park Mechanical Plumbing & Sewer
8324 Luzon Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95828
(916) 231-5681