How to Clean a Sink Drain With an Auger

Prevention is the best cure for a clogged sink drain, but no matter how hard you try, hair and soap scum may eventually block your drain. Before using an auger, attempt to clear the drain by flushing the drain with boiling water and then using a plunger. You can also try a liquid drain opener. If the sink is still clogged, go get your auger.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Auger
• Bucket
• Wrench
• Wire coat hanger

1. Insert the auger cable into the drain until it reaches the trap, then turn the handle clockwise to twist the cable past the trap. If debris gets caught, continue to turn the auger as you carefully remove it from the drain.

2. Stick the auger in the pipe through the cleanout opening if the auger won't go past the trap. Place a bucket under the trap to catch any water before removing the cleanout opening plug, located at the bottom of the trap.

3. Remove the trap if there is no cleanout opening or you still can't remove the clog. Unscrew the first coupling nut, near the top of the trap pipe, with a wrench. Be careful to hold the trap with your other hand and to support the trap as you remove the second coupling nut at the bottom of the trap.

4. Clean the trap with a straightened wire coat hanger, while you have it open. A bottle brush can also be used to remove soap scum and other debris from the trap.

5. Re-insert the auger cable directly into the drain line as you rotate it slowly using the hand crank. Once you hit the clog, wiggle the auger back and forth to loosen the clog.

6. Remove auger slowly from the drain, cleaning the cable as it exits the pipe.

Tips & Warnings

• A setscrew on the auger locks and unlocks the cable so that more may be released, as needed.
• Do not use chemicals with a plunger, since this might result in injury.