HOW TO FIX A CLOGGED SINK

Got a sink that’s stubbornly clogged and driving you nuts? Don’t panic. We’ve all been there. 

Whether it’s a slow drain or a complete blockage, dealing with a clogged sink can be a real headache. 

In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to get that sink flowing freely in no time. 

Are you ready to say goodbye to standing water and hello to smooth draining?

Let’s get started. 

WHAT CAUSES A CLOGGED SINK 

Clogged drains and sinks are one of the most common plumbing problems. Pouring non-liquid things into the sink is the leading cause of clogged sinks. 

Food scraps and grease waste are common items that cause kitchen sink clogs. If you dump food scraps into the sink instead of the bin, small scraps will wash away, and the larger ones will get deposited. With time, the scraps can build up and cause blockages. 

Grease waste becomes solid at room temperature. Hence, this too can block your sink. 

Hair, toothpaste, and soap buildup are the leading causes for the bathroom sink to get clogged. 

Additionally, since the bathroom sink is heavily used, it’s more likely to undergo clogging.

STEPS TO FIX A CLOGGED KITCHEN SINK OR A BATHROOM SINK

If your sink is not draining, draining slowly, or releasing a bad odour it’s more likely clogged. 

To unclog your sink, you must have basic knowledge of the sink parts and their functions. Now, don’t panic. I’ll explain everything you need to know. Just keep reading.

Kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks are almost similar, with some minor differences. 

Kitchen sinks are connected to garbage disposals and dishwashers, while bathroom sinks involve faucets, drains, and stoppers. The stopper allows you to fill the sink with water.

Most sinks have a curved pipe under them known as the P-trap. The P-trap holds water and creates a block against sewer gases entering the kitchen or bathroom through the sink drain. 

Now, let’s go through the steps to remove clogs from your sink.

CLEAN OUT THE STANDING WATER

Standing water supports the growth of bacteria, insects, and mould. Hence, if you find any standing water in the sink, remove it immediately. This also makes room for water that you will  add later to flush out the drain. 

If you see any food scraps or other debris, remove them by wearing rubber gloves.

Check out this article for tips and tricks to prevent pest infestations in your plumbing system.  

INSPECT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL

If your kitchen sink is clogged, the first thing you should do is inspect the garbage disposal to find out whether it’s blocked. Here’s how you do it:

• Turn on the garbage disposal and run it. Clogs might break while the garbage disposal is running. 

• If it’s not running, check whether it’s overheated. Reset and turn on the disposal again for this. 

• If the clog is not cleared even after running the disposal, disconnect it from power and proceed to the next steps.

POUR BOILING WATER

Boiling water can dissolve soap and fat. Hence, it’s effective in removing clogs caused by oil and soap deposits. 

First, remove any standing water in the sink. Then, pour a pot of boiling water into the sink drain in a steady stream. 

The water will begin to drain. If not, allow the water to cool and remove it with a mug. Then, pour hot water again. 

You’ll have to repeat this process several times to remove the drain blockage. 

Warning: Boiling water can damage plastic pipes. Therefore, don’t use boiling water if your sink is attached to PVC pipes. 

POUR A BAKING SODA MIXTURE/WHITE VINEGAR/CAUSTIC CLEANER

Baking soda and vinegar are useful ingredients to unclog the sink drain naturally. They’re gentler on the pipes than chemical drain openers. 

When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, it causes a bubbling reaction that helps to remove the clogs. 

Pour a cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar. If it’s your bathroom sink, remove the drain stopper before pouring. 

Let the mixture stand for around 15 minutes. Wait till the bubbling stops, and then flush with hot water. 

You can also use a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt, and then flush it with hot water after 15 minutes. If the drain is still not cleared, try this process several times. Be careful not to overdo it. 

Caustic cleaners can remove grease, hair, food, and other organic materials blocking your sink. 

However, they are very strong and leave harsh chemicals in your pipe. So use them only as a last resort. When using caustic cleaners, make sure to wear gloves and use them in a well-ventilated area.

PLUNGE THE SINK

If boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar are not working, try plunging your sink. Plunging creates enough pressure to dislodge minor clogs.

Remove the stopper and cover the overflow opening with a wet cloth. Fill the sink with 2-3 inches of water. It should be enough to cover the head of the plunger without overflowing. 

Place the plunger cup on the drain hole, press it firmly, and then move it up around 1 inch.  Repeat this up-and-down movement for 15-30 seconds. 

Check whether the water drains and flush with hot water to remove any remaining clogs.  

Useful tip: Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly onto the rim of the plunger cup. This will create a tighter seal and make plunging more effective. 

If your kitchen sink is connected to a dishwasher, close the dishwasher line using a clamp or a pair of vice grips on its hose. 

If you’re worried about damaging the hose, disconnect it and cover the disposal inlet with a pipe cap. This prevents water from back-flowing into the dishwasher line while plunging. 

Note: Keep a toilet plunger separately to use for bathroom sinks.

USE AN AUGER/DRAIN SNAKE ON THE UPPER PART OF THE PIPE

If solid material is stuck in the drain, you can unclog it with an auger, also called a drain snake. 

Connect the drain snake to a drill. Insert it down the drain till it meets resistance. When the snake meets resistance, run the drill to unclog it. Then, move the snake further down and repeat the process. 

Usually, you can connect the snakes to any standard drill or use it without a drill. 

While using a hand snake, first feed the drain with it. Then, twist it around to get the proper angle. 

Once you meet resistance, allow the barb to hook the clogged material. Then, pull out the snake along with the clog. Finally, flush out the sink drain with hot water to remove any remaining clogs.

You can buy a drain snake from a hardware store or make one at home using a coat hanger. 

Let’s make a drain snake at home:

• Take a metal coat hanger. 

• Unwind and twist it to make a long, thin wire. 

• Use needle nose pliers and bend the end to make a small hook. 

There you have a DIY drain snake. Now, you can insert it into the drain and pull out or break down the clogs. 

USE A WET-DRY VACUUM

Pressure from the wet-dry vacuum can unblock a clogged drain. Plug up the vacuum for wet use. If you don’t know how, refer to the user manual. 

Place the end of the vacuum’s hose on the drain opening and tighten the seal around it. Then, turn on the vacuum at the highest setting. 

If you have a double sink and only one side is clogged, cover the other side with a drain stopper before turning on the vacuum. 

USE PLIERS TO REMOVE CLOGS 

Hair collects under the stopper in the bathroom sink and blocks the drain. You can remove these efficiently using a nose needle plier. 

Simply remove the stopper, pull out the clog with a plier, and put back the stopper.

INSPECT THE P-TRAP

If all the above-given methods are not working, it’s time to fix your clogged sink from beneath it. 

There’s a curved pipe underneath your sink known as the P-trap. The P-trap holds water between the open drain and the home’s plumbing to prevent odours.

You must disassemble the P-trap and see if any materials are blocked in it. Before that, place a bucket underneath the kitchen sink so that water or debris can fall into it while removing it. 

Loosen the slip nuts on the P-trap arm and wiggle it free. If there is any debris, remove it. 

Reassemble the pipe and run water into the sink to check whether the clog is removed correctly. While reassembling, don’t tighten the slip nuts too much. 

Note: You can use rubber gloves and a wrench to make the above process easy.

USE AN AUGER ON THE WALL PIPE

Suppose the water is not running through the sink drain after you inspect the P-trap; this means the clog is present farther up the pipe. 

To remove it, disassemble the P-trap again and remove the horizontal pipe that connects the sink to the wall pipe. 

Insert the auger into the wall pipe, twist and turn, and pull out any debris or run the drill to break it. 

After removing the debris, fix the pipes back. Remember not to tighten the slip nuts too much. Hand tightening and a quarter turn with a wrench would be enough. 

If you can’t remove the clog from your bathroom or kitchen sink, call a professional plumber or contact a drain cleaning service as soon as possible.

HOW TO PREVENT CLOGGING OF YOUR SINK

We all want our sinks to function smoothly. It isn’t very pleasant if you have to unclog your bathroom/kitchen sink frequently. 

Follow the instructions below to keep your sink drain free of clogs. 

• Avoid disposing food scraps into the kitchen sink.

• Don’t overload the garbage disposer. Grind a maximum of one cup of food waste at a time. 

• Collect waste materials such as oil, grease, and coffee grounds into a disposable bag and discard them. Don’t allow them to flow through the sink drain.

• Flush out the sink with hot water after every use.

• Freeze some ice cubes, pouring vinegar and water in equal proportions. Drop one or two ice cubes into the disposer to keep it fresh and support the unclogging of minor waste deposits. 

• Pick up any long hairs in the bathroom sink using an old toothbrush rather than flushing them out into drains. 

SOME ESSENTIAL TOOLS REQUIRED TO UNCLOG A SINK

You don’t have to call a plumber to unclog a sink every time. Keep the simple tools below with you at home so you can do it yourself if it’s a simple issue:

• Plunger.

• Nose needle plier. 

• Gloves.

• Adjustable wrench. 

• Drain snake.

• Flashlight.

• A bucket or pail that fits under your sink.

CAN YOU UNCLOG A SINK BY YOURSELF?

Your bathroom or kitchen sink can get clogged due to excess food scraps, hair, oil, and other organic waste. 

If you have a sink blockage, first follow the easy methods, such as flushing it out with boiling water, baking soda, and vinegar. If it doesn’t get flushed for these, try unclogging it with a plunger, vacuum pump, or drain snake. 

If the clog is stubborn, you’ll have to remove the P-trap and take the waste out. If any of the above are not working, call a licensed plumber. Check out the importance of hiring a licensed plumber here.    

FAQS

1. WHAT’S THE QUICKEST WAY TO UNCLOG A SINK?

The quickest method to unclog a sink depends on the extent of the clog. So, start with the easy steps, like pouring hot water, and then move to the complex methods like removing the P-trap if any of the simple techniques don’t work. 

2. WHAT’S THE BEST NATURAL DRAIN CLOG REMOVER?

Baking soda and white vinegar can unclog a sink naturally.

3. WHAT’S THE SAFEST WAY TO UNCLOG A SINK?

Start with simple techniques like pouring boiling water and adding baking soda and vinegar. If this doesn’t work try unclogging with a plunger or auger. Then try to remove the P-trap to unclog. If you’re not comfortable with any of the above, call a professional service to sort out the issue.

4. IS IT OK TO USE A CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANER TO UNCLOG THE SINK?

Chemical drain cleaners can damage your pipes. Hence, use it only as a last resort before calling a plumber.