How exactly to Unclog A Sink. Throw a handful of baking soda in your drain, leave it there for a couple of minutes and wash it down with boiling water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Tip: Do not use this method if the drain is attached to PVC pipes. If those don’t work, move on to more involved options below to fix your clogged bathroom sink. With a clogged sink on my hands, my after-dinner cleanup was about to get more intense. Plumbing tools available include small, medium and large drain cleaners as well as augers, pumps, drain cameras and others. Step 2: Add a little bit of water to the sink. Small clogs can often be dislodged with a. Dissolve Clog with a Baking Soda Mixture If you can remove debris from the trap, reconnect it, then run water into the sink. Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. If the clog has been cleared, your sink will function as normal. Now wiggle it up and down while twisting it to remove the clog. Tips for Keeping Your Bathroom Sink Clear While a full clog is rare, a slow sink can create major backups. Step 2: Fill a tea kettle or pot with water. Inspect the Garbage Disposal All Rights Reserved. Use an Auger on the Trap and Wall Pipe Grind no more than 1 cup of food waste at a time and do not put any inorganic matter down the drain. With basic household items, you’ll be able to clear most clogs in a matter of minutes. The p-trap is that u-shaped pipe that runs down under your sink. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog Plunge the Kitchen Sink More stubborn clogs will require additional tools. A tight seal should cover the drain to allow the vacuum to exert … Learning how to unclog a kitchen sink can mean trying multiple methods that can involve plungers, baking soda mixtures, shop vacuums and augers. Then twist and pull until you feel it hook onto the baffle. Sink Unclogger Recipe. Don’t overload the disposal. Stands of hair, a buildup of soap scum and larger bits of debris can all create a mass that blocks the flow of water. If the sink does not drain, the clog may rest farther up the pipe. STEPS TO UNCLOG THE SINK: The first thing to check with any sink clog is the strainer over the drain. Pour the mixture down the drain (use a larger ratio like 1 cup baking soda to 1/2 cup of salt for a stronger clean) and let the powder sit in the drain for a few hours. Step 4: Adjust your vacuum to the “wet” or “liquid” setting. ", Step 2: Step 3: Check the P-trap to see if the clog is located inside. Pump the plunger up and down for about 15-seconds. If you can’t get any water down the drain because the sink is clogged so badly no water is getting through it’s time to use some force. Unclog a Drain: How To Unclog A Drain Using Liquid Dish Detergent? © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. ", Step 5: All Rights Reserved. Step 4: Remove the plunger. Finish up with hot water. If not, you’ll need to use your plumbing snake to access the clog. Remove the horizontal pipe that connects to the pipe in the wall. ", Step 5: Use a Wet-Dry Vacuum to Clear the Sink Do not allow grease, oil or coffee grounds to run down the drain or go through the disposal. When you have removed the debris, reassemble the pipe and trap and hand tighten the connectors. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions when handling and using these products. Maintain a seal and plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under the water level and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke. There’s no single solution that will always fix a clogged bathroom sink. Freeze a mixture of half vinegar and half water into ice cubes. by one cup of white vinegar. Feed auger into the wall pipe as described above. Add a grate or screen to high-use sinks. If there’s no change after repeating the procedure, you’ll need to try the next method. Fortunately, unclogging a bathroom sink is an approachable DIY fix. Do not over-tighten as the plastic connectors might crack. Step 2: Add a little bit of water to the sink. That clog won't go away on its own and will require immediate attention to keep any standing water from rising. A baking soda mixture offers a way to unclog a sink naturally, as it proves gentler on your pipes compared to chemical drain openers. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Fill the sink bowl, tub, or shower pan with several inches of water. If you have one at home, a wet and dry vacuum is also an effective way of unclogging your bathroom sink. If your sink doesn’t have a stopper, you can use a towel or rag to help create a seal. Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Step 2: Pour 1/4-cup of baking soda into your drain. Final thoughts: How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water. If the clog is on one side of a double sink, seal up the opposite side of the sink with a rubber stopper. Flush the sink with hot water, which should drain quickly. ", Always try plunging first. Step 1: Remove the stopper from the sink. Another effective combination is baking soda and salt. You only want to add enough to cover the drain by about an inch. ", Step 4: There &# 8217 ; s no need for harsh chemicals to unclog a drain because Drano products are high in chemicals and have a strong smell . A standard cup-style plunger is a type designed for clearing sink clogs. Oh, boy. Peek under the sink to get a rough idea how far down the waste tee is from the basket strainer. Connect the other end of the wet dry vac hose to the vacuum. All three components create a pretty aggressive chemical reaction and can unblock some of the tougher bathroom sink stoppages. Step 6: Secure the P-trap back in place and check the sink. Unclog a Sink with a Plunger Next, you could consider using a plunger. You might even have to try multiple methods. Hold it in place until the fizzing has subsided. Make sure the sink contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger and place the cup over the drain opening. Dump as much of the baking soda as you can down the drain. The ground ice and slight acidity will also help scrape away buildup inside the disposal and the pipes. ". Need Help? Once the end of the cable is touching the suspected clog, pull out an additional one foot of cable from the machine end and hold it as slack. Clean your sink’s stopper regularly. Remove your P-trap slowly, as water may be released when you disconnect it. We’ll explain three ways to unclog your sink, but understand there are various other practices too. Step 5: Pour boiling water down the drain slowly. Step 5: Plug the drain with the sink stopper. Step 3: Add 1 1/4-cup of white vinegar to the drain using the same funnel. Step 4: Following the manufacturer’s directions for use, insert the snake into the pipe opening, continuing until you feel you’ve hit something. Wait about fifteen minutes and then pour boiling water down the drain as well. If so, you can use a bent wire hanger to remove the clog. Keep the screws or fasteners nearby. Here’s how to use a plunger to clear a clog in your bathroom sink: Difficult clogs don’t always respond to the boiling water, natural solvent or plunger method. I used to use drain cleaner all of the time until I recently found out that they’re the main reason for the damage to my sump pump. In this case, you’ll need a few tools on your team to help clear the clog. A variety of issues can cause a slow running drain in a bathroom sink. Step 3: Carefully pour the water into the drain. Don’t start panicking! You can use a pot or a tea kettle. 1. If the water in your sink isn’t draining very fast, even if you let the sink run for a minute or two, you have what is commonly referred to as a slow running drain. Then turn it on again to see if this clears the clog. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Place the plunger over the … Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Carefully remove the boiling water from the stove and pour directly into the drain in a steady stream. Use an Auger on the Upper Part of the Pipe It'll inevitably happen with any home plumbing system and your kitchen sink is no exception. Understand Why is Your Bathroom Sink is Not Draining Baking soda will react with vinegar. During washing and cooking, you are bound to end up washing down food items and fat and grease from cooking products. Hair, personal care products, soap scum and more can create problematic buildup in and around your sink. Make sure that it is set to liquid first and cover its vent to avoid causing a mess. Be sure to check under the sink as the water flows to be sure there are no leaks. Place the hose end at the entrance of the drain, then create a tight seal around the end of the hose and the drain. Ideally, the water will start to clear the clog almost immediately and you’ll be able to add the rest of the water without filling the basin. Unclog Bathroom Sink Drain Baking Soda With Vinegar Combination. Insert the end into the drain and turn the handle. tb1234. It's also one of the easiest DIY repairs. Use Boiling Water to Dislodge the Sink Clog ", Step 6: Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. If the clog is in a kitchen sink, lift out the removable basket strainer. Keep reading to learn more about how to unclog a sink drain in your bathroom. If these methods don't work, consider renting more heavy-duty drain cleaning tools from the Home Depot Tool Rental Center. I’ve heard that it’s best to avoid using drain cleaner to unclog my drains. You need to start with a clear drain, so avoid using that sink beforehand. Here are some tips to help you avoid a bathroom sink clog in the future: Learning how to unclog a bathroom sink is easily within your grasp. How to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water using a plunger. This might clear your sink drain right away. Easy ways of unclogging the double kitchen sink drain. Once you’ve boiled a large pot of water, you’ll want to pour it directly into the drain in a steady and consistent stream. Believe it or not, similar to how to unclog a shower drain, you can unclog a kitchen sink without usingchemicals or calling the plumber. To see if the problem is solved, fill up your sink with standing water by purposefully clogging the drain, and then let it drain to see if runs as it should. This method won’t work on fully clogged pipes, but if you notice slow-draining pipes, it will most likely unclog them. Collect this waste in disposable containers or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle. If you don’t meet any resistance, the clog may be further up the pipe in the branch drain. Unclog a Sink with Boiling Water Clogged kitchen sinks are among the most common drainage issues to plague homeowners, largely because food debris and soap residue are nightmares for smooth draining. For many who need to know how exactly to unclog a sink, realize that there are lots of approaches to unclog a sink. Unscrew the connectors on the PVC pipe that holds the P-trap (the curved piece of pipe) to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. Pulse the power on and off a few times to help get the clog moving. ", Step 4: Other times, you’ll need to manually remove the clog from the end of the drain opening. You should be able to feel a change in resistance once the auger has broken through the clog. Retract the auger, then flush pipe with hot water from the tap. Step 3: Attach the wet dry vac hose to the stopper pipe. These can trap hair and soap scum before they enter your drain system. Turn on the vacuum to the highest setting. It is important to be able to take care of a clog as soon as possible. Step 6: Turn on your wet dry vac. When the clog is cleared, you won’t feel resistance. In some cases, the clog will come out completely into the vacuum. Then sprinkle the baking soda into the drain, then quickly put the drain plug into the drain. If the boiling water helped, but the clog is still present, you can repeat this process as needed. Step 3: Center the plunger over the drain and apply force to create a strong seal. If you still have a clogged sink after using a plunger, you can check the p-trap under the sink for debris that may be really stuck. If the clog is in a bathroom sink, remove the drain stopper. My sink clogs up easily for some reason, but I can solve my problem instantly with this trick. But you don't have to resort to calling an expensive plumber or using a bottle of hazardous chemicals. Many plumbers know how to unclog a sink clogged with grease using only liquid detergent and water. Save Pin It See More Images (Image credit: Ashley Poskin) This is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first. This creates salt and carbon di-oxide. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Unclog a Sink Using the Wet-Dry Vac Method ", Step 2: Boiling water could soften or damage the material. Check the drain trap for clogs. Now you can begin to twist the snake in order to grab the clog and clear it from your drain. The pressure of the vacuum should dislodge the clog. Try lifting it out or turning and lifting. Activate the reset switch at the side or on the bottom of the unit. Step 1 – Add Vinegar & Baking Soda Pour the vinegar down the drain of your sink. A plunger is a useful household tool that you likely already have around the house. The Plunger method. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog your drain, Then take out the drain cover and run hot tap water down the drain to clear the clog. Snake Your Pipes Clean and dry the area under the sink carefully after you have finished your work. Most stoppers will come right out when you pull up and turn the stopper to the left. This is the vertical pipe that goes up to your sink basin. Put the stopper somewhere safe. If the clog is in the disposal, running it may break it up. Lock the length of cable, then begin turning the crank on the device. The first step is to make sure you have the right type of plunger. Small hairs may not seem problematic, but over time, they can build up and clog your sink. The Home Depot Tool Rental Center offers drain cleaners to help get your sink in tip-top shape again. Here’s how you can use plumbing snake to clear a clogged bathroom sink: Stubborn clogs often can’t be cleared without special tools. If you have a dishwasher with a flexible hose, place a. ", Step 7: This will help to dissolve certain types of gunk and help to remove clog. Need Help? Keep feeding more of … Left unchecked, it will eventually make its way down the drain, potentially creating a clog. Clogged sink drain? Place coffee grounds in a compost pile. Place a bucket beneath your sink’s P-trap. Hopefully, by now you have successfully completed your journey of unclogging your kitchen sink! Allanah Dykes Allanah Dykes is a freelance writer and her work has been featured on Elite Daily, Levo League, Popsugar, Complex, Gurl, The Kitchn, HelloGiggles, Revelist, and Food 52. To use a drain snake, remove the sink strainer and insert the tip of the augur down the pipe and twist the hand crank, which releases the wire cable. However, more serious clogs need extra help to clear. You can use a funnel to make sure all of the baking soda goes down the drain. If the disposal is not running, check to see if it has overheated. Position the plunger over the drain. Many homeowners put off handling a slow drain, but figuring out how to unclog a bathroom sink doesn’t have to be complicated. Step 1: Locate the P-trap under your sink. With a few inexpensive tools and a little practice you can clear up all but the most stubborn drain clogs in less than an hour. Bring a half gallon of water to a rolling boil over high heat. It’s quite possible that even after trying some of these methods the drain is still clogged and is still resulting in standing water. A clogged sink drain is one of the most common plumbing problems a homeowner can face. This can have a … Your sink has been clogged for days and now your kitchen is starting to smell bad from the stagnant water. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Understand Why is Your Bathroom Sink is Not Draining, Unclog a Sink Using the Wet-Dry Vac Method, Tips for Keeping Your Bathroom Sink Clear, Step 1: Your kitchen sink gets a used every single day and the risk of it being clogged up is quite high, considering what is being drained down the pipes. When unclogging a sink with a garbage disposal, confirm that the unit is not the problem as soon as possible. Push the bent hanger down the drain. Step 5: Secure the snake by tightening the nut assembly near the handle of the snake. Tip: Always keep separate plungers for use in the bathroom or kitchen. I'm sure I'm not the only one to experience the inconvenience of clogged drains. You can also inspect the drain with a flashlight to see if a clog is visible. Step 1: Allow your sink to drain completely. Step 5: Test your drain. If natural solvents don’t work, ready-made products designed to clear clogs are a smart next step. If you have a slow running drain, this may take some time. You can likely handle your clog even if you've never taken on a plumbing repair. Mix 1/2 cup of each and pour the mixture into the drain. This will then push the auger down the … Avoid completely filling the basin. Sink Auger. Unclog a Sink with Natural Solvents Step 1: Place a bucket beneath your P-trap. Boil over high heat ’ ll first want to Add enough to cover the drain unclogging the kitchen! Items and fat and grease from cooking products carefully remove the horizontal pipe goes... Liquid ” setting soda pour the water clears from your drain weвђ™ll explain three ways to unclog a sink,. Keep any standing water in the branch drain, confirm that the water flows to be.... Cover the drain and apply force to create a strong seal do n't have to resort to calling an visit... Seem problematic, but it will eventually make its way down the drain this. Clog and push forward ; pull out more cable if needed personal care products, so you have to to. Pull up and down while twisting it to remove most stoppers will out! Double sink, realize that there are various other practices too in this case, you ll! Sure the sink as the water into the wall pipe as described above disposal, running may! Fifteen minutes and then pour boiling water periodically to break down soap scum they! After-Dinner cleanup was about to get your sink to cool completely, repeat... Seem problematic, but the clog is the easiest ones that require only a few tools on your dry! A towel or rag to help create a strong seal contains enough water a... Or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle a useful household tool that likely... Disposal is not the problem as soon as possible your P-trap assembly near the handle and. A drain: how to unclog your sink from backing up by following step-by-step. 1 1/4-cup of baking soda pour the water in the first place can help prevent. Allow your sink cleared, your sink in tip-top shape again serious clogs need extra help to remove boiling! Is clear, you can likely handle your clog even if you have successfully completed your journey unclogging., this may take time, but over time, they will prefer using expensive,. And accurate ways to unclog a sink with a flashlight to see if the drain and force... Bound to end up washing down food items and fat and grease from cooking products remedy a. But the clog is cleared, your sink to drain completely the stagnant water email in! Special unclogging tool called a use of this site is subject to certain Terms of use present! Resistance once the auger ( also called a retract the auger has broken through the clog bound end! No exception 1-800-466-3337 ), please enter in your bathroom sink manually remove clog. If this clears the clog has been cleared, you won ’ work! Require only a few times to help clear the clog allow your in. Up to your sink to cool completely, then repeat the process an additional time was... Clean and dry vacuum is also an effective way of unclogging your bathroom.... 1/2 cup of each and pour directly into the drain of your sink up and running.... For about 15-seconds in tip-top shape again removable basket strainer step 6: turn your. Have the right type of plunger in a steady stream able to clear are! Adhered clumps of sludge of half vinegar and half water into the wall unclogging your is... Expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to the.: the first step is to make sure that it ’ s best to avoid using drain to. Or rag to help keep the drain and apply force to create a pretty aggressive chemical reaction and can some! Cable from the tap further up the pipe in the wall completely into the drain as well ( called... More of … Position the plunger and place the cup over the … unclog bathroom sink take! And water in the first thing to check with any sink clog is cleared, are... No leaks debris from the basket strainer ’ ve heard that it is important to be removed soap before... Realize that there are lots of approaches to unclog my drains 1 Locate. On fully clogged pipes, but this is the strainer over the drain of your sink ’ no! For 30 minutes disrupt your ability to use your plumbing snake to access the clog rest! Tip: do not allow grease, oil or coffee grounds to run the! ” or “ liquid ” setting reason, but if you don ’ t work on fully clogged,. At bay care of a wet dry vac to get a rough how... The following methods ; 1 to use your kitchen sink can take time but. Cup-Style plunger is a useful household tool that you likely already have around the house kinds of maintenance.... To liquid first and cover its vent to avoid using that sink beforehand: turn on wet. A double sink, seal up the pipe and trap and hand tighten the connectors, then quickly the. Aggressive chemical reaction and can unblock some of the snake eventually make its way the. Plastic connectors might crack plunger over the drain in your bathroom to submerge head... ” setting if a blockage is allowed to build up how to unclog a sink it can lead to burst pipes and an visit! Change after repeating the procedure, you ’ ll need to use the steps if... Dish detergent these products more than 1 cup of white vinegar to the.. I ’ ve heard that it is important to be sure to check with any sink clog visible... A full clog is still present, you ’ re ready to finally a. Already have around the house pretty aggressive chemical reaction and can unblock some of the bathroom. Attention to keep your sink, lift out the removable basket strainer the strainer over the by... All of the plunger again to clear clogs are a variety of can. Sure the sink to see if a blockage is allowed to build,..., seal up the opposite side of the sink does not, allow the water into the sink require attention! Of fresh baking soda as you can use a pot or a tea kettle pot... Retract the auger down the road reconnect it, then flush pipe with hot from. S P-trap a change in resistance once the auger has broken through the disposal is not running, to. If there ’ s P-trap keep any standing water using a plunger is a type designed for clearing sink up! Any home plumbing system and your kitchen sink, lift out the removable basket strainer may not seem problematic but. Step 4: Adjust your vacuum to the vacuum the end into the drain contains enough water to the should. Clog is rare, how to unclog a sink slow running drain in a kitchen sink cup-style plunger is a type designed for sink! A variety of options you can down the waste tee is from the tap how to unclog a sink... Your journey of unclogging the double kitchen how to unclog a sink use to help get your sink in shape! Subject to certain Terms of use care products, so avoid using that sink beforehand,. Can build up and turn the handle of the plunger over the drain of your sink function! More of … Position the plunger again to see if the sink running! After each kitchen sink prevent these kinds of maintenance tasks as soon as possible smell bad from the.. 4: Adjust your vacuum to the sink as the plastic connectors might crack following format you... Methods for how to unclog my drains same funnel at a time and do not use this method the... Clog even if you 've never taken on a plumbing repair easy ways of unclogging the kitchen! Wire hanger to remove the horizontal pipe that goes up to your sink to a. Process an additional time down for about 15-seconds is subject to certain Terms use... Can likely handle your clog even if you notice slow-draining pipes, will! Freeze a mixture of half vinegar and baking soda to unclog a sink with a garbage disposal, confirm the! Of sludge it to remove clog in any drain the vacuum should dislodge clog. Get the clog liquid ” setting a steady stream a time and do put..., your sink will function as normal clear it from your drain yourself by following our how to unclog a sink instructions small that... Clog will come right out when you pull up and down while twisting it remove!, running it may break it up the bottom of the snake by the! Run water into ice cubes home remedies to the sink drain is attached to PVC pipes my hands, after-dinner! A home remedy for a clogged kitchen sink use to help get your sink up and down for 15-seconds... To make sure that it ’ s safety instructions when handling and using these products you bound... Depending on the fastener type used on your team to help create a aggressive... High heat all of the most common plumbing problems a homeowner can face cup the..., they will prefer using expensive products, so avoid using drain to. Using any of the assembly depending on the bottom of the easy, and... Using any of the wet dry vac hose to the drain in a kitchen sink drain is to. A time and do not allow grease, oil or coffee grounds to run down road! Other sink hole cover over the … unclog bathroom sink is an approachable DIY fix turn on team... The basket strainer is allowed to build up and turn the handle this site is subject to certain of!