How To Get Rid Of Sink Clogs

Over time, hair, dirt, and all kinds of particles accumulate in the drain causing clogs. You shouldn't wait until this problem gets worse but rather try to clean it yourself. Because if you do wait, dirt can accumulate further and cause complete drain blockage. If this happens you won't be able to clean it yourself, and you'll probably need professional plumber's services.

In case of a slow drain or a total block, first empty the sink. Pour in liberal quantities of boiling water. This may dissolve the blockage. Do not use this method on plastic pipes.

Remove the sink stopper or strainer. Most wash basins have pop-up stoppers that can be removed by simply pulling them up. On some models you must reach under the basin and remove a nut that retains the pull control. Plug up the overflow opening with a wet cloth or have someone hold his hand tightly against it. This prevents air from being drawn in or water expelled as you plunge.

Run an inch or two of water into the basin. Or bail out the backed-up water leaving an inch or two. The water should just cover the plunger cup. Now place the cup over the drain and press down, tilting the cup as you do to get rid of trapped air. Vigorously pump the plunger up and down about 10 times to create a surge in the water trapped in the drain.

Lift the plunger sharply up from the water on the last upstroke. If the water rushes out, you have dislodged the blockage. Run water into the sink. If it doesn't go down easily, repeat the process.

Also called a plumber's snake, a sink auger consists of a length of stiff wire cable with a screw-like coil of spring at one end and a sliding crank that lets you turn the wire. Insert the snake into the drain opening and crank it clockwise and gradually downward through the trap under the sink until it breaks through the stoppage. Do not push the blockage. Try to hook it or break it up. You can distinguish between the mushy resistance of a blockage and the hard resistance of a bend in the pipe.

Place a bucket beneath the U-shaped trap under the sink. Unscrew the cleanout plug on the bottom of the trap with a wrench and let the water run out. Clear the stoppage by hand or with a bent wire coat hanger. Replace the plug. If there is no cleanout plug, remove the entire trap, which is held by two coupling nuts.

Remove the higher coupling nut with a pipe wrench. Then support the trap and remove the lower coupling nut. Clean out the stoppage and replace the trap. Do not over-tighten the fittings, or they may leak.

Chemical drain openers can be effective, but they are dangerous. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly. If you get any treated water on yourself, wash it off immediately with cold water.


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