How to Unstop a Clogged Sink Drain Without Damaging the Pipes
Clogs occur in sink drains as grease, hair, food and other debris get caught in the pipes. Often the clogs are minor, as you notice the water pooling or the drain slowing before it becomes serious, and a plunger can easily clear it. However, tougher clogs can't be removed so easily, though they can be cleared without a call to the plumber and without damaging pipes. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Screwdriver
- Wet cloth
- Plunger
- Petroleum jelly
- Pipe wrench
- Bucket
- Straightened coat hanger
- Teflon tape
- Hot water
- Auger
Instructions
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1
Remove the sink's strainer or stopper if one is present. Strainers can be pried loose with a screwdriver. To remove the stopper, look under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod connected to the stopper.
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2
Remove any debris that has collected around the strainer or the stopper and rinse it clean. Wash the top of the drain as well.
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3
Replace the stopper or the strainer and run water into the sink. If it is still clogged, the material may be farther down and require a plunger to clear it.
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4
Block overflow holes and drains adjacent to the clogged sink with a wet cloth.
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5
Fill the sink with 3 inches of water, or enough to cover the end of the plunger.
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6
Apply petroleum jelly around the rim of the plunger. This helps make a tighter seal.
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7
Set the plunger over the drain and pump the handle up and down several times.
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8
Stop after about a minute to see whether the water drains. If it does not, try plunging again.
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9
Run hot water into the drain to flush away any debris inside. If plunging does not clear the clog, it may be too large to clear this way and you'll have to clean the trap.
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10
Place a bucket under the sink to catch water and waste before you open the trap.
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11
Remove the clean-out plug, which is a square or hexagonal plug at the base of the bend in the pipes, using a pipe wrench.
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12
Remove traps that do not have a clean-out plug by loosening the two couplings that hold the trap in place.
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13
Keep the bucket directly under the trap and insert a straightened coat hanger into the opening and move it around the bends of the trap to remove and loosen debris inside. A long bottle brush will also work.
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14
Flush the trap with hot, soapy water.
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15
Apply Teflon tape or pipe joint compound to the pipe threads and reassemble the trap.
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16
Run hot water down the drain to clear debris and check that it has cleared. If it has not, the clog is farther into the sink's drain, and you'll need to use an auger.
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17
Remove the trap again and insert an auger into the drain line.
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18
Push the auger down until you meet resistance, which is probably the clog. Hook the material with the auger by turning the handle clockwise.
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19
Twist and push the handle back and forth to break up the clog and flush the debris with cold water.
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20
Repeat if necessary to break up all the material.
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21
Reassemble the trap and flush the drain with hot water. If the clog has not moved, a call to a plumber is your best option. The clog may be in your main drain or too large to remove on your own without damaging the pipes.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not wait for the drain to clog again before you clear the pipes again. Once the pipe has been cleared, it is much easier to keep clear if you fill the sink to the top with hot water and empty it two or three times on a regular basis (about once per month is usually enough). Normally the plumber's friend won't be required.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
