My Bathroom Sink Drains So Slow

Pipes can be clogged by a variety of substances.

If your bathroom sink is draining slowly, or has stopped draining altogether, you've got at least a partial clog in the pipes. The most effective way to get rid of a clog is to go under your sink, remove the trap (the S-shaped portion of the pipes directly underneath your sink) and clean it out. You may also need to use a plumber's snake to clear away blockages farther down the line.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Plumber's snake
• Stiff-bristle brush

Instructions

1. Ensure that there is no water flowing into your sink, then plug up the drain either with a rubber stopper or the lever stopper on your sink.

2. Go underneath the sink. You should see a series of drain pipes connected by twist-on seals. Place your large bowl underneath the pipes to collect any water that may drain out during this operation.

3. Loosen the first seal on the pipe assembly by turning counterclockwise. Be careful turning this seal, as doing so may also cause the straight pipe coming down from your drain to twist as well. Do not allow the pipe to twist along with the seal.

4. Loosen the remaining seals between the first seal and the point where the pipes go into your wall. This will separate the trap assembly into individual pieces.

5. Examine each pipe piece for buildup or blockage. Clean away any blockage with your stiff-bristle brush, then rinse the pipes out in a different sink.

6. Insert the tip of your snake into the pipe in the wall and feed more line into said pipe until you feel the snake strike an obstruction, or until you come to the end of the line. If there is an obstruction, twist the snake's handle to drive the head into the blockage, then pull the snake back out. This will break up and remove at least some of the clog.

7. Repeat the process outlined in the previous step until the snake breaks up the majority of the blockage.

8. Reattach the pipes using the seals in the same configuration as they were. Keep the bowl under the pipes then unstop your sink and run a small amount of water to make sure there are no leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• You may also have some success using liquid clog-cleaning product. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the package properly. Because there are a variety of cleaning products, the method of application will vary.

• Depending on what type of pipe material you have, and how tight the seals are, you may need to use a pipe wrench to loosen them.

References

• YouTube: Home Improvement & Repair on Video - How to Unclog a Sink Using a Drain Snake