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Unclog a Sink Drain
Level of difficulty: Beginner

Kitchen sink clogs are usually due to a buildup of grease and food, but can be complicated if a small utensil has become lodged in the trap below the sink. Sink clogs in bathrooms are usually caused by a buildup of soap scum and hair, unless you have young children - then it's anybody's guess! The best time to clear a clogged sink is as soon as you notice that water seems to be draining more slowly than usual. Don't wait for the clog to grow and cause potentially more serious problems.

Plunging is the easiest approach to clear a clog. It's particularly effective for clogs such as food scraps in a kitchen sink, but usually is ineffective on soap, grease, and hair clogs. There is also some risk that you will just force the clog further down the drain, making it harder to access. In most cases the best solution to remove the trap below the sink. It takes a bit more effort but that's likely where the clog is, and with the trap off you can easily remove the clog without the risk of pushing it down the drain and without the need for toxic chemicals. If the clog does lie beyond the trap, you'd need to remove the trap to snake the drain. If all else fails, use a chemical cleaner as directed on the label.

Materials List

Plunger Rubber gloves Rag Bottle brush Channel-type pliers Flashlight or work light Bucket Plumber's snake or augur

Clear Clog with Plunger 1. Prepare Sink

Remove the sink stopper. In a bathroom sink, plug the overflow hole with a wet rag. This prevents the air pressure generated by the plunger from dissipating out this hole instead of acting on the clog. In a kitchen sink that has a dishwasher drain attached to the sink drain, use a clamp and a couple scraps of wood to crimp the dishwasher drain hose closed.

2. Plunge

Place the plunger over the drain and add water as needed to cover the rubber cup. Then pump up and down quickly to dislodge the clog.

Remove Trap to Clear Clog 1. Remove Trap

		If plunging fails, remove the trap below the sink. Usually you can loosen the slip nuts by hand, but if not, use channel-type pliers. Place a bucket under the trap to catch any spills and to hold the removed trap. And wear rubber gloves - it can be nasty.


	Tip:

		Devices or rubber pads designed to assist opening bottles work well to remove the slip nuts, too.

2. Clean and Replace Trap

Use an old bottle brush to force any material out of the trap and clean it well with hot, soapy water. If the trap was not clogged, then it's likely that the clog is in the drainpipe and you'll need to snake it (see below). In any event, always shine a light into the drainpipe to inspect for a clog. Replace trap to test.

Use a Snake (or Augur) in Drainpipe

If you see a clog in the drainpipe or suspect that it is clogged, use a snake (or augur) to clear it.

1. Insert Augur

Insert a plumber's snake or augur into the drainpipe slowly until you feel resistance. Crank the handle to get past any right-angle bends and continue to insert the snake until you feel soft resistance.

2. Remove Clog

Turn the handle to "screw" into the clog and then withdraw it slowly. If you cannot withdraw it, just try to push the clog past whatever bend in the pipe is restricting it, hoping that it will break free and go down the drain.

3. Flush with Boiling Water

After clearing the clog using one of the above approaches, carefully pour a large quantity of boiling water down the drain. Be careful to avoid splashing the water on yourself as you pour it into the sink.