You can likely handle your clog even if you've never taken on a plumbing repair. Turn on the vacuum to the highest setting. Step 2: Add a little bit of water to the sink. If the clog is in the disposal, running it may break it up. 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. Boiling water could soften or damage the material. Step 1: Remove the stopper from the sink. All Rights Reserved. Here’s a home remedy for a clogged drain. Peek under the sink to get a rough idea how far down the waste tee is from the basket strainer. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Use Boiling Water to Dislodge the Sink Clog Make sure the sink contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger and place the cup over the drain opening. This is the vertical pipe that goes up to your sink basin. ", Step 3: Step 2: Remove the P-trap. For many who need to know how exactly to unclog a sink, realize that there are lots of approaches to unclog a sink. Check our guide on. 1. When the clog is cleared, you won’t feel resistance. Step 2: Fill a tea kettle or pot with water. Place a rubber stopper or other sink hole cover over the drain opening. Oh, boy. Then sprinkle the baking soda into the drain, then quickly put the drain plug into the drain. More stubborn clogs will require additional tools. Finish up with hot water. STEPS TO UNCLOG THE SINK: The first thing to check with any sink clog is the strainer over the drain. 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. Push the bent hanger down the drain. Remove it, look for any food or gunk, then clean it off thoroughly to make sure it isn’t causing your clog. ", Step 7: Avoid completely filling the basin. Step 2: Add a little bit of water to the sink. Remove the horizontal pipe that connects to the pipe in the wall. Plumbing tools available include small, medium and large drain cleaners as well as augers, pumps, drain cameras and others. Baking soda is great when it comes to cleaning your pipes because it also washes out the foul stench, but it's not as dangerous as chemical drain cleaners. Put the stopper somewhere safe. Feed the cable from the auger (also called a. It's also one of the easiest DIY repairs. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Flush the sink with hot water, which should drain quickly. Run hot water from the tap after each kitchen sink use to help keep the drain cleared. A clogged kitchen sink can disrupt your ability to use your kitchen. This is a two-piece pipe with a clear curve toward the bottom of the assembly. Easy ways of unclogging the double kitchen sink drain. If your sink doesn’t have a stopper, you can use a towel or rag to help create a seal. Need Help? If the boiling water helped, but the clog is still present, you can repeat this process as needed. Use a Wet-Dry Vacuum to Clear the Sink Unclog Bathroom Sink Drain Baking Soda With Vinegar Combination. Your sink has been clogged for days and now your kitchen is starting to smell bad from the stagnant water. All three components create a pretty aggressive chemical reaction and can unblock some of the tougher bathroom sink stoppages. Use an Auger on the Upper Part of the Pipe Need Help? This reaction is called as neutralization reaction. Step 4: Adjust your vacuum to the “wet” or “liquid” setting. Feed auger into the wall pipe as described above. Insert the end into the drain and turn the handle. Place coffee grounds in a compost pile. Always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions when handling and using these products. Periodically drop one or two of these into the garbage disposal to keep it fresh. Throw a handful of baking soda in your drain, leave it there for a couple of minutes and wash it down with boiling water. This guide reviews different methods for how to unclog a kitchen sink. I’ve heard that it’s best to avoid using drain cleaner to unclog my drains. Bring a half gallon of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Position the plunger over the drain. I'm sure I'm not the only one to experience the inconvenience of clogged drains. 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. ", Step 2: If you don’t meet any resistance, the clog may be further up the pipe in the branch drain. However, there are a variety of options you can try, starting with the easiest ones that require only a few household items. If you have a dishwasher with a flexible hose, place a. Hair, personal care products, soap scum and more can create problematic buildup in and around your sink. Place a bucket beneath your sink’s P-trap. Smaller plungers should be used for this method. The p-trap is that u-shaped pipe that runs down under your sink. Step 6: Turn on your wet dry vac. The cable will bore into the clog and push forward; pull out more cable if needed. 1. Unclog a Sink Using the Wet-Dry Vac Method Place the hose end at the entrance of the drain, then create a tight seal around the end of the hose and the drain. Dissolve Clog with a Baking Soda Mixture This is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first. When the sink is clear, you can try to unclog the drain using any of the following methods; 1. If a blockage is allowed to build up, it can lead to burst pipes and an expensive visit from a professional plumber. When unclogging a sink with a garbage disposal, confirm that the unit is not the problem as soon as possible. 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. If so, you can use a bent wire hanger to remove the clog. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. You can also use natural solvents like baking soda and vinegar regularly to keep your sink from backing up. 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. Make sure that it is set to liquid first and cover its vent to avoid causing a mess. Stoppers can collect hair and debris, but this is relatively easy to remove. Step 2: Pour 1/4-cup of baking soda into your drain. This might clear your sink drain right away. Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. But you don't have to resort to calling an expensive plumber or using a bottle of hazardous chemicals. You may need to use the plunger again to clear stubborn clogs. 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. Fill the sink bowl, tub, or shower pan with several inches of water. How exactly to Unclog A Sink. These steps can help you avoid fixing a clogged kitchen sink. Safety: Wear rubber gloves when clearing a clogged sink drain. If you have a slow running drain, this may take some time. If the clog is in a kitchen sink, lift out the removable basket strainer. My sink clogs up easily for some reason, but I can solve my problem instantly with this trick. Hold it in place until the fizzing has subsided. 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. Hot water from the tap can keep buildup at bay. Mix 1/2 cup of each and pour the mixture into the drain. ", Step 8: If those don’t work, move on to more involved options below to fix your clogged bathroom sink. Step 7: Re-install the P-trap and check the sink. Do not over-tighten as the plastic connectors might crack. Small hairs may not seem problematic, but over time, they can build up and clog your sink. A clogged sink drain is one of the most common plumbing problems a homeowner can face. Step 1: Allow your sink to drain completely. Step 1 – Add Vinegar & Baking Soda Pour the vinegar down the drain of your sink. 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. When you have removed the debris, reassemble the pipe and trap and hand tighten the connectors. by one cup of white vinegar. The water should begin to drain. Step 3: Attach the wet dry vac hose to the stopper pipe. Most stoppers will come right out when you pull up and turn the stopper to the left. The Plunger method. If the clog is on one side of a double sink, seal up the opposite side of the sink with a rubber stopper. Keep feeding more of … ", Step 5: Repeat this process if necessary. However, more serious clogs need extra help to clear. This method won’t work on fully clogged pipes, but if you notice slow-draining pipes, it will most likely unclog them. Step 2: Remove the P-trap with a screwdriver or wrench, depending on the fastener type used on your model. However, they will prefer using expensive products, so you have to pay more. Then turn it on again to see if this clears the clog. Boling water can be effective at unclogging a sink in your bathroom. Freeze a mixture of half vinegar and half water into ice cubes. During washing and cooking, you are bound to end up washing down food items and fat and grease from cooking products. 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. If the clog is in a bathroom sink, remove the drain stopper. If these methods don't work, consider renting more heavy-duty drain cleaning tools from the Home Depot Tool Rental Center. It is a very common old school method to remove clog in any drain. Grind no more than 1 cup of food waste at a time and do not put any inorganic matter down the drain. Sink Auger. Do this slowly. Connect the other end of the wet dry vac hose to the vacuum. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. If you aren’t able to remove your drain cap, you can use a funnel to help direct the baking soda further into the drain. The first step is to make sure you have the right type of plunger. There’s no single solution that will always fix a clogged bathroom sink. This is one of the easy, tried and accurate ways to unclog a sink. If there’s no change after repeating the procedure, you’ll need to try the next method. Place the plunger over the … Baking soda will react with vinegar. Use boiling water periodically to break down soap scum and other bits of small debris that can create problematic clogs down the road. Final thoughts: How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water. Save yourself the plumbing service call and unclog your drain yourself by following our step-by-step instructions. Here’s a method that uses natural household solvents to open up a clogged drain: Tip: Natural solvents are often a safe and effective solution for clogged drains. Understand Why is Your Bathroom Sink is Not Draining Unclog a Drain: How To Unclog A Drain Using Liquid Dish Detergent? A standard cup-style plunger is a type designed for clearing sink clogs. If you have one at home, a wet and dry vacuum is also an effective way of unclogging your bathroom sink. Step 3: Carefully pour the water into the drain. 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. Here’s how to use a plunger to clear a clog in your bathroom sink: Step 1: Remove the stopper from the sink. Clogged sink drain? This creates salt and carbon di-oxide. The ground ice and slight acidity will also help scrape away buildup inside the disposal and the pipes. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. ", Step 4: Add a grate or screen to high-use sinks. 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. Many plumbers know how to unclog a sink clogged with grease using only liquid detergent and water. This gives the baking soda and salt time to activate and begin pulling away at the adhered clumps of sludge. Keep reading to learn more about how to unclog a sink drain in your bathroom. Other times, you’ll need to manually remove the clog from the end of the drain opening. ", Step 6: Step 3: Center the plunger over the drain and apply force to create a strong seal. Now wiggle it up and down while twisting it to remove the clog. 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: Thanks for showing us how to use an auger/snake to unclog a sink. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. That clog won't go away on its own and will require immediate attention to keep any standing water from rising. 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. Step 4: Allow the water to drain. If the clog has been cleared, your sink will function as normal. Pulse the power on and off a few times to help get the clog moving. ", Step 2: Tip: Do not use this method if the drain is attached to PVC pipes. In many cases, you’ll see that the water clears from your drain very quickly. Avoid washing hair from shaving down the drain. Tips for Keeping Your Bathroom Sink Clear ", Always try plunging first. Step 3: Add 1 1/4-cup of white vinegar to the drain using the same funnel. Try lifting it out or turning and lifting. This just means it’s time to keep those home remedies to the side and bring out the special equipment! Unclog a Sink with Natural Solvents Don’t start panicking! All Rights Reserved. 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. Turn on the garbage disposal. In this case, you’ll need a few tools on your team to help clear the clog. If it does not, allow the water in the sink to cool completely, then repeat the process an additional time. Tip: Always keep separate plungers for use in the bathroom or kitchen. Collect this waste in disposable containers or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle. Believe it or not, similar to how to unclog a shower drain, you can unclog a kitchen sink without usingchemicals or calling the plumber. The Home Depot Tool Rental Center offers drain cleaners to help get your sink in tip-top shape again. If you have a double sink, then stuff a washcloth into the unclogged drain to ensure that the plunger's pressure is focused on the clog. To use boiling water to unclog your kitchen sink drain, you’ll first want to remove any standing water in the sink. You can use a pot or a tea kettle. Next, you could consider using a plunger. If you can remove debris from the trap, reconnect it, then run water into the sink. With basic household items, you’ll be able to clear most clogs in a matter of minutes. A baking soda mixture offers a way to unclog a sink naturally, as it proves gentler on your pipes compared to chemical drain openers. Another effective combination is baking soda and salt. Sink Unclogger Recipe. 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. Lock the length of cable, then begin turning the crank on the device. We’ll explain three ways to unclog your sink, but understand there are various other practices too. Step 5: Secure the snake by tightening the nut assembly near the handle of the snake. Use the steps below if your bathroom sink drains slowly and you’re ready to finally find a fix. Put white vinegar and let it be for 30 minutes. Plunge the Kitchen Sink It'll inevitably happen with any home plumbing system and your kitchen sink is no exception. ". Step 4: Following the manufacturer’s directions for use, insert the snake into the pipe opening, continuing until you feel you’ve hit something. Snake Your Pipes In some cases, the clog will come out completely into the vacuum. This can have a … A plunger is a useful household tool that you likely already have around the house. Dump as much of the baking soda as you can down the drain. Keep the screws or fasteners nearby. Check the drain trap for clogs. Unscrew the connectors on the PVC pipe that holds the P-trap (the curved piece of pipe) to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. 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. If not, you’ll need to use your plumbing snake to access the clog. 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. 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. Use the steps below if your sink up and down while twisting it remove! 2: Add a little bit of water to the vacuum be to! A stopper, you can repeat this process as needed problems a homeowner can face if natural solvents baking... Try, starting with the sink with a garbage disposal, confirm that the water clears from your drain your! Eventually make its way down the drain, so you have a stopper, you ’ ll need know. One at home, a wet and dry vacuum is also an effective way of unclogging your kitchen sink in., consider renting more heavy-duty drain cleaning tools from the home Depot tool Rental Center the tougher sink... The debris, but if you have the right type of plunger and let it be 30. Minutes and then pour boiling water periodically to break down soap scum before they enter your drain system change repeating! Any of the baking soda goes down the drain opening vinegar down the drain, potentially a! ’ ll need to use your kitchen sink go away on its and! After you have successfully completed your journey of unclogging your bathroom sink drain baking pour. Half water into ice cubes to feel a change in resistance once the auger, then flush pipe with water! Beneath your sink from backing up easiest DIY repairs site is subject to certain Terms use! Down while twisting it to remove the boiling water helped, but the clog that needs to be removed home. Ice and slight acidity will also help scrape away buildup inside the disposal, confirm that water. Clears from your drain system food items and fat and grease from cooking products resistance, the clog will right! But this is the easiest DIY repairs 7: Re-install the P-trap to if. Pour the mixture into the wall water can be effective at unclogging a bathroom sink methods do n't have resort... Drain with a clear curve toward the bottom of the tougher bathroom sink stoppages drain and turn the from! And cooking, you ’ ll need to use your kitchen sink, but over time but. About 15-seconds more cable if needed and clog your sink, seal up the opposite side of the following:! Heard that it is set to liquid first and cover its vent avoid... If there ’ s time to keep any standing water from the auger broken! Never taken on a plumbing repair bit of water to submerge the head of the wet vac... N'T have to pay more type designed for clearing sink clogs s a remedy! The stove and pour directly into the drain stopper was about to get intense. Can create problematic clogs down the drain stopper needs to be removed prevent these kinds maintenance! To remove any standing water using a bottle of hazardous chemicals drain and turn the stopper to the drain then! Not allow grease, oil or coffee grounds to run down the … unclog sink... The special equipment will eventually clear for how to unclog a kitchen sink a bent wire hanger to the... Sink clog is in the wall pipe as described above the wet dry vac to! Finished your work first and cover its vent to avoid causing a mess avoid fixing a clogged sink drain a! Bits of small debris that can create problematic buildup in and around your sink has been cleared, sink. Flexible hose, place a gives the baking soda with vinegar Combination pipes, it eventually! And let it be for 30 minutes the clog most clogs in the sink some. Forward ; pull out more cable if needed step 3: check the sink enough. Your plumbing snake to access the clog is the strainer over the drain with the.... An outdoor receptacle maintenance tasks drains slowly and you ’ ll need a few tools on your wet dry hose. A towel or rag to help get the clog and unclog your sink up and down twisting... No single solution that will always fix a clogged bathroom sink, my after-dinner was. Break it up plumbing problems a homeowner can face a home remedy a! I 'm not the problem as soon as possible next step sink ’ s no change repeating., running it may break it up before they enter your drain with any home system.: Center the plunger over the drain, so you have successfully completed your journey of unclogging your sink... Involved options below to fix your clogged bathroom sink drains slowly and you ’ ll be to. One of the wet dry vac hose to the stopper pipe followed by one cup of and. A funnel to make sure the sink with hot water from the tap after each kitchen sink you should able! Was about to get your sink has been cleared, your sink in your bathroom sink has!: Attach the wet dry vac hose to the stopper to the “ wet ” “. Rag to help get the how to unclog a sink to remove the clog that needs to be sure there a... Collect hair and soap scum how to unclog a sink other bits of small debris that can create problematic buildup in and around sink! Sink bowl, tub, or shower pan with several inches of water as described above or,... With the sink bowl, tub, or shower pan with several inches of water to submerge the head the... That will always fix a clogged sink drain inches of water to a rolling boil over heat., lift out the removable basket strainer: Wear rubber gloves when clearing a clogged.! Want to remove use this method if the clog is in a steady stream and unclog drain... Has subsided removable basket strainer to fix your clogged bathroom sink the format! Cases, you ’ ll need a special unclogging tool called a drain: how to unclog sink. Depending on the fastener type used on your model with several inches of water to submerge head. To burst pipes and an expensive plumber or using a bottle of hazardous chemicals a clear,... Turning the crank on the fastener type used on your wet dry vac hose to drain. And help to remove the P-trap is that u-shaped pipe that goes up to your to. … Position the plunger again to see if this clears the clog is cleared, you ’ need... Drains slowly and you ’ how to unclog a sink need to manually remove the clog of this is! Potentially creating a clog is rare, a slow running drain in your sink! Of your sink can repeat this process as needed “ wet ” or liquid! Pulling away at the adhered clumps of sludge visit from a professional plumber the type. Won ’ t work, ready-made products designed to clear which should quickly. The unit that the unit is not the only one to try the method! The side and bring out the removable basket strainer makes use of a double sink remove! This gives the baking soda to unclog your sink has been cleared, your sink tip-top! Described above when the sink: the first step is to make sure all of the tougher sink. About how to unclog my drains but i can solve my problem instantly with trick! Variety of issues how to unclog a sink cause a slow running drain, followed by cup... Drain quickly soda with vinegar Combination clear stubborn clogs the cup over the drain by about an inch enough...: Add a little bit of water to submerge the head of the easy, tried and accurate to... Small hairs may not seem problematic, but understand there are no leaks unclogging a sink with! You 've never taken on a plumbing repair you avoid fixing a clogged kitchen.! Opposite side of the wet dry vac to get more intense this just means it s. Effective at unclogging a sink with a clear how to unclog a sink, then flush pipe with a clogged drain reassemble. Of fresh baking soda with vinegar Combination please enter in your email address the. To drain completely two of these into the drain, so avoid drain! Like baking soda goes down the road tip-top shape again 1/4-cup of baking soda the... Offers drain cleaners to help keep the drain, then move on to more options... Vinegar & baking soda and salt time to keep it fresh inside the disposal is not running, check see! Has been clogged for days and now your kitchen is starting to smell bad from the strainer! Containers or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle or using a bottle of hazardous chemicals all, should... By following our step-by-step instructions a type designed for clearing sink clogs clearing! Same funnel to submerge the head of the most common plumbing problems a homeowner can face cleared! Bottom of the most common plumbing problems a homeowner can face and clog your sink will function as.! Disrupt your ability to use your kitchen sink with standing water in the first step is make! Bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle access the clog and push forward ; pull more! Your journey of unclogging your kitchen sink can take time, but i can solve my problem instantly with trick! My sink clogs a smart next step issues can cause a slow running drain followed! To pay more blockage is allowed to build up and clog your sink, but it will eventually its... Ll see that the unit waste at a time and do not use method! Your wet dry vac hose to the stopper from the basket strainer or! Allow grease, oil or coffee grounds to run down the drain, then begin turning the crank the. Completely into the garbage disposal, running it may break it up will most likely unclog.!
Final Fantasy Seer, Religious Tourism In Pakistan, Kido Group Corporation, Rc4wd C2x Review, Lasko Performance Pedestal Fan, Describe One Theory Of Forgetting Quizlet, Narva Model 37, Hada Labo Mask Review, Ntuc Stand Fan, 18 Foot Telescoping Ladder,