Getting Solder out of pcb holes

[Likez2Jam]

Welp fellas. The noobie made his first real f*** up today. I read somewhere that if you're putting in diodes you should use a socket, because the heat could damage them. Well the particular diodes (1N4001 Rectifier diode) going into my first kliche drive build didn't fit inside the sockets(now I know, test the socket before soldering). So I got them out by heating and solder sucking my mistake out. NOW I can't get the left over solder out of the hole to put the components in.

so 2 questions:
1. How to get the leftover solder out (my solder sucker is not working. Do I need a better one? A specific solder tip?)

2. Can I put fat lead (leed, not lead...well maybe...?) Diodes straight to the board once the first issue is resolved?

 

[jimilee]

I get the solder out of holes by heating it up and just blowing it out. Because of what's on the other side, wouldn't want to blow it out on something you're gonna need to keep. I use wick, but that doesn't always do the trick, plus it's just easier and quicker.

 

[Likez2Jam]

Thanks everyone all the tips were very helpful. I had to do a combination of things to get it done but it is salvaged!