Things You'll Need:
- A drain snake
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Step 1
A drain snake is a flexible metal cable that you shove into your drain in order to clear a clog in your sink. The cable is wound like a giant spring. One one end is an adjustable handle, on the other end is an auger that chews through clogs while the snake is turned.
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Step 2
Push the snake down the clogged drain. Wear gloves. If toxic drain cleaners like Draino have been poured down the sink, wait until those clear the drain if at all possible before you use an auger.
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Step 3
As the snake goes down the drain, use a bit of finesse to work it through the sink trap (a u-turn shaped pipe underneath most sinks).
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Step 4
When you find the clog, turn the snake in a circular motion. This spins the auger and attacks the clog.
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Step 5
After the clog has been broken, pull the auger back out through the sink.
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Step 6
If the snake is dirty and dripping with crud, put it in the bathtub and rinse it with the shower.
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Step 7
Sometimes this doesn't work because it is too difficult to get the snake past the sink trap. If this is the case, you'll need to take the trap off and work the snake directly in the wall.
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Step 8
If you take the trap off, place a bucket underneath the trap to collect the backed up water before you unscrew it.
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Step 9
With the trap off, clear the clog directly in the wall pipes.
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Step 10
After you screw the trap back on, run water through the drain to make sure the clog has been removed. With water running in the drain pipe, make sure you screwed the trap back on all the way and there are no leaks or drips.
