How to Use Household Ammonia to Unblock a Sink

Jarrad Smith • July 20, 2020

Unblocking Your Sink With Household Ammonia

Sinks are often taken for granted by most homeowners. They would toss about any leftovers into the drain, especially to those with built-in garbage disposal. However, if people continue to treat their sinks like this, they eventually get clogged and cause more problems in their homes.

Aside from kitchen sinks, the bathroom drain is also prone to clogging. People wash their hands, brush their teeth, shave their beards, or wash their hair. Hence, the bathroom sink is subjected to hair and soapy buildup.

Another area that could be prone to clogging is the utility sinks connected to your washing machines. With all the chemicals and linen you manage, these drains are susceptible to soap and lint buildup.

To prevent clogging, ammonia can be the best product to loosen any buildup. It is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas that is an active ingredient to most household cleaning fluids. However, as effective as it may be, some precautionary measures should be observed to ensure your safety upon using household ammonia.

If you need assistance of a specialist in Newcastle or Lake Macquarie, call Jet Blaster Man Now. Our plumbing services are available 24/7 and we can beat any quote by 10%!

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Step 1: Inspect the Drain Stopper

Pull out the drain stopper in your sink and see if anything is blocking its path. Remove the debris or hair from the stopper to make sure ammonia can flow smoothly through the pipes.

Step 2: Block Other Drains

Get a few rugs and stuff them into nearby or connected drains. It's one way for you to block the ammonia from flowing to unintended pipes.

Step 3: Dilute

Boil one liter of water into a cooking pot. Add one cup of household-type ammonia into the boiled water.

Step 4: Drain The Mixture

Pour the hot water and ammonia mixture down the drain. Make sure to do it slowly. You can also leave it for thirty minutes after pouring the mixture. Don't use the sink during this period.

Step 5: Get Lukewarm Water

Heat enough water until it's lukewarm. Pour it into the sink, but only until 3 inches full.

Step 6: Use a Plunger

Get a plunger and rub some petroleum jelly into its base — the petroleum jelly helps create better suction between the plunger and pipe. Move the plunger up and down the drain rapidly for at least ten times. Such a procedure allows air to push or dislodge the blockage.

Step 7: Have a Clean Run Down

Get the plunger out of the sink. Try running water down the sink and see if it's draining smoothly. If it's not, you need to repeat the steps mentioned. If your drain is finally working well, you can rinse the ammonia and its odor by pouring cold water down the drain.

It Still Doesn't Work

There are instances that an ammonia mixture may not be enough to treat your clogged drains. While there are many do-it-yourself ways to manage your clogged sink, you can also entrust the task to a plumbing expert such as Jet Blaster Man. They are known to be the go-to blocked drain specialist in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. With their expertise and fair pricing, you'll see how much it can save your time, effort, and money to avail of their service.

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What Causes Pipes to Leak in Older Newcastle Homes?

By britor01+sp • August 4, 2026

What Causes Pipes to Leak in Older Newcastle Homes? Older homes around Newcastle have a charm that is hard to copy. But while the character of an older home is easy to see, the plumbing behind the walls can be much harder to notice. Homes that were built decades ago often have plumbing that has started to wear down over time, and small leaks can start in areas you wouldn’t usually check. Knowing what to watch for can help you avoid being caught off guard by a leak or burst pipe. Here’s our list of things you should know about your plumbing. Old Pipes Can Start to Corrode Pipe corrosion is one of the main reasons older homes develop leaking pipes. Over time, minerals in your water and other substances wear down the metal inside the pipe. Once the pipe wall becomes weak, leaks can appear around joints and fittings. Corrosion can also leave sediment inside the pipe. This can slow the water flow and increase the risk of a clogged pipe. Since these issues usually build up slowly, they are more common in old plumbing systems. How to Minimise Damage: Unfortunately, once pipe corrosion starts, it can continue to get worse over time. As the pipe weakens, more areas become exposed to damage. What you can do is call a plumber ASAP so the affected pipe can be checked. Even Modern Pipes Will Wear Down From Years of Use Whilst pipes are intended to last for years, none of them will last forever. Modern plumbing techniques aren’t immune to the strain your pipes will go through from years of constant use. Unlike metal pipes, plastic or PVC pipework will not rust. Instead, plastic pipework can become brittle. As it becomes less flexible, it can crack more easily near fittings. Abrupt changes in temperature can also slowly add stress to your pipes. Hot water can make the pipe expand a little then it tightens again as it cools. After years of this movement, pipework can become stressed and fail. How to Minimise Damage: The good news is that you won’t have to worry about damages for quite a few years if you’re caring for your pipes adequately. At some point in the future, replacing the damaged pipe will be the best way to stop any leaks. This usually happens when the pipe has become too worn to hold another patch. Tree Roots Can Get Into Your Plumbing Do you have gorgeous, large trees around your 1930’s home? They may give nice shade, but their roots can spread underground in search of moisture. Specifically, stormwater and sewer pipes are common places for roots to get in. This is especially true when there is already a small crack or loose joint. Once they grow inside, they can put pressure on the pipe and cause leaks. Over time, your pipes can become badly damaged or even collapse, leading to burst pipes Newcastle homeowners may need to repair urgently. How to Minimise Damage: Prevention is the best way to stop roots from damaging your plumbing system. You should always plant new trees away from main water or sewer lines to help prevent any issues for future-you. In addition, aim to avoid species with aggressive roots - especially near older plumbing systems. If you already have mature trees near old plumbing lines, it is important to have them regularly checked by professionals. If roots have already moved into the pipe, call Jet Blaster Man to have them properly treated. Ground Movement Can Affect Your Pipes Over time, it is normal for homes to settle further into the ground. A little settling is normal, but too much movement caused by the weather and soil changes can strain the pipes. Wet soil expands, and then shrinks again as it dries. This back-and-forth movement can shift the foundation slightly and impact your pipes, and it’s a common plumbing issue in older homes when the pipework is already worn. How to Minimise Damage: If you’ve had a lot of storms recently and think ground movement is affecting your plumbing, a professional inspection can help put your mind at ease. With advanced leak detection methods, the affected section can be found more accurately. As such, plumbers can find hidden water leaks without digging up more than needed. There Are Downfalls To High Water Pressure High water pressure feels great when you are in the shower or trying to fill the tub fast. But if the pressure stays too high all the time, it can slowly damage the plumbing system. Many pipes are only built to work within a safe pressure range, and when water moves through the pipes too fast for too long, it can wear them down more quickly. If the problem is ignored, high pressure can even lead to a burst pipe and a much bigger repair. How to Minimise Damage: You can use a pressure gauge to see if your water pressure is too high. If you are not sure how to test it, a plumber can do this safely. Additionally, you can have a pressure regulator installed to protect the plumbing from extra stress. Things to Watch Out For Until the plumbing in your home is inspected properly, the actual source of the leak may stay hidden. If the following signs keep getting worse, we recommend giving Jet Blaster Man a call so we can send a professional plumber out. You should keep an eye out for: Unusual water marks and stains on walls A musty smell A higher water bill than normal Reduced flow when you turn on taps/showers Presence of mould in hidden corners Mildew in rarely checked spots Water sounds when no taps are running Need a Plumber for Leaking Pipes in Newcastle? Owning an older Newcastle home can be a labour of love. However, it should not leave you constantly worrying about hidden plumbing problems. By understanding the weak points that come with aging plumbing, you can address small issues and put together a list of things to do. DIY checks are a good place to start in your hunt for obvious signs of problems, but a professional can find hidden issues inside the pipework. If your home is hiding a leak, don't worry because Jet Blaster Man plumbers know how to deal with the common plumbing challenges found in older homes. Simply call us today to book your next service consultation.