Step 5: Pour boiling water down the drain slowly. Dissolve Clog with a Baking Soda Mixture Position the plunger over the drain. You should be able to feel a change in resistance once the auger has broken through the clog. I’ve heard that it’s best to avoid using drain cleaner to unclog my drains. If the clog has been cleared, your sink will function as normal. A variety of issues can cause a slow running drain in a bathroom sink. If the clog is on one side of a double sink, seal up the opposite side of the sink with a rubber stopper. This will help to dissolve certain types of gunk and help to remove clog. This can have a … Snake Your Pipes Fortunately, unclogging a bathroom sink is an approachable DIY fix. If the disposal is not running, check to see if it has overheated. Remove the horizontal pipe that connects to the pipe in the wall. For many who need to know how exactly to unclog a sink, realize that there are lots of approaches to unclog a sink. Feed the cable from the auger (also called a. Check the drain trap for clogs. If you have a slow running drain, this may take some time. A plunger is a useful household tool that you likely already have around the house. The Plunger method. Step 2: Add a little bit of water to the sink. Step 1: Allow your sink to drain completely. Clogged sink drain? Sink Auger. Now you can begin to twist the snake in order to grab the clog and clear it from your drain. Push the bent hanger down the drain. This may take time, but it will eventually clear. Need Help? The first step is to make sure you have the right type of plunger. Step 6: Turn on your wet dry vac. Pulse the power on and off a few times to help get the clog moving. This is the vertical pipe that goes up to your sink basin. 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. Understand Why is Your Bathroom Sink is Not Draining That clog won't go away on its own and will require immediate attention to keep any standing water from rising. If you don’t meet any resistance, the clog may be further up the pipe in the branch drain. Plumbing tools available include small, medium and large drain cleaners as well as augers, pumps, drain cameras and others. Connect the other end of the wet dry vac hose to the vacuum. This will then push the auger down the … Unclog Bathroom Sink Drain Baking Soda With Vinegar Combination. If plunging does not work, then move on to other methods for unclogging a kitchen sink. Then turn it on again to see if this clears the clog. More stubborn clogs will require additional tools. 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. When the sink is clear, you can try to unclog the drain using any of the following methods; 1. If the sink does not drain, the clog may rest farther up the pipe. Keep feeding more of … ", Step 2: © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Step 1: Remove the stopper from the sink. The Home Depot Tool Rental Center offers drain cleaners to help get your sink in tip-top shape again. Save Pin It See More Images (Image credit: Ashley Poskin) A baking soda mixture offers a way to unclog a sink naturally, as it proves gentler on your pipes compared to chemical drain openers. To use boiling water to unclog your kitchen sink drain, you’ll first want to remove any standing water in the sink. A standard cup-style plunger is a type designed for clearing sink clogs. Dump as much of the baking soda as you can down the drain. Step 2: Remove the P-trap. Use Boiling Water to Dislodge the Sink Clog Local store prices may vary from those displayed. A clogged kitchen sink can disrupt your ability to use your kitchen. Depending on the type of P-trap your sink uses, you’ll need a screwdriver to remove the screws or a wrench to remove slip nuts on each end of the pipe. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. 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. It is a very common old school method to remove clog in any drain. Keep reading to learn more about how to unclog a sink drain in your bathroom. This just means it’s time to keep those home remedies to the side and bring out the special equipment! However, they will prefer using expensive products, so you have to pay more. Step 4: Adjust your vacuum to the “wet” or “liquid” setting. Small clogs can often be dislodged with a. Now wiggle it up and down while twisting it to remove the clog. Final thoughts: How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with Standing Water. A stopped-up drain. The ground ice and slight acidity will also help scrape away buildup inside the disposal and the pipes. Avoiding clogs in the first place can help you prevent these kinds of maintenance tasks. If the clog is in a kitchen sink, lift out the removable basket strainer. Thanks for showing us how to use an auger/snake to unclog a sink. Unclog a Sink with a Plunger 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: Step 2: Fill a tea kettle or pot with water. Use a Wet-Dry Vacuum to Clear the Sink Boling water can be effective at unclogging a sink in your bathroom. Avoid washing hair from shaving down the drain. Learning how to unclog a kitchen sink can mean trying multiple methods that can involve plungers, baking soda mixtures, shop vacuums and augers. This is a two-piece pipe with a clear curve toward the bottom of the assembly. It is important to be able to take care of a clog as soon as possible. All Rights Reserved. Turn on the vacuum to the highest setting. Easy ways of unclogging the double kitchen sink drain. Add a grate or screen to high-use sinks. There’s no single solution that will always fix a clogged bathroom sink. Try lifting it out or turning and lifting. All three components create a pretty aggressive chemical reaction and can unblock some of the tougher bathroom sink stoppages. You might even have to try multiple methods. Repeat this process if necessary. If a blockage is allowed to build up, it can lead to burst pipes and an expensive visit from a professional plumber. Do not over-tighten as the plastic connectors might crack. All Rights Reserved. Step 7: Re-install the P-trap and check the sink. Clean your sink’s stopper regularly. ", Always try plunging first. Collect this waste in disposable containers or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle. It'll inevitably happen with any home plumbing system and your kitchen sink is no exception. Avoid completely filling the basin. Take Measures to Prevent Clogs Place coffee grounds in a compost pile. How exactly to Unclog A Sink. 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. There &# 8217 ; s no need for harsh chemicals to unclog a drain because Drano products are high in chemicals and have a strong smell . Inspect the Garbage Disposal Hold it in place until the fizzing has subsided. Step 3: Check the P-trap to see if the clog is located inside. 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. Stoppers can collect hair and debris, but this is relatively easy to remove. Step 3: Center the plunger over the drain and apply force to create a strong seal. Step 5: Plug the drain with the sink stopper. You can use a funnel to make sure all of the baking soda goes down the drain. Use an Auger on the Upper Part of the Pipe Step 2: Pour 1/4-cup of baking soda into your drain. These steps can help you avoid fixing a clogged kitchen sink. Lock the length of cable, then begin turning the crank on the device. Peek under the sink to get a rough idea how far down the waste tee is from the basket strainer. Many homeowners put off handling a slow drain, but figuring out how to unclog a bathroom sink doesn’t have to be complicated. You only want to add enough to cover the drain by about an inch. Step 3: Attach the wet dry vac hose to the stopper pipe. 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. Unclog a Sink with Natural Solvents When you have removed the debris, reassemble the pipe and trap and hand tighten the connectors. The cable will bore into the clog and push forward; pull out more cable if needed. Bring a half gallon of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Put the stopper somewhere safe. Periodically drop one or two of these into the garbage disposal to keep it fresh. Unscrew the connectors on the PVC pipe that holds the P-trap (the curved piece of pipe) to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. Grind no more than 1 cup of food waste at a time and do not put any inorganic matter down the drain. Tips for Keeping Your Bathroom Sink Clear If you can remove debris from the trap, reconnect it, then run water into the sink. Don’t start panicking! Insert the end into the drain and turn the handle. However, there are a variety of options you can try, starting with the easiest ones that require only a few household items. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. ", Step 6: Left unchecked, it will eventually make its way down the drain, potentially creating a clog. Step 1: Locate the P-trap under your sink. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Step 1 – Add Vinegar & Baking Soda Pour the vinegar down the drain of your sink. 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. Flush the sink with hot water, which should drain quickly. Tip: Always keep separate plungers for use in the bathroom or kitchen. You can likely handle your clog even if you've never taken on a plumbing repair. Step 3: Carefully pour the water into the drain. ", Step 7: I'm sure I'm not the only one to experience the inconvenience of clogged drains. We’ll explain three ways to unclog your sink, but understand there are various other practices too. Place the hose end at the entrance of the drain, then create a tight seal around the end of the hose and the drain. 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. If those don’t work, move on to more involved options below to fix your clogged bathroom sink. Step 4: Remove the plunger. Mix 1/2 cup of each and pour the mixture into the drain. Step 5: Test your drain. It's also one of the easiest DIY repairs. If there’s no change after repeating the procedure, you’ll need to try the next method. Fill the sink bowl, tub, or shower pan with several inches of water. Baking soda will react with vinegar. Pour one cup of fresh baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Step 5: Secure the snake by tightening the nut assembly near the handle of the snake. Pump the plunger up and down for about 15-seconds. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. 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. This is one of the easy, tried and accurate ways to unclog a sink. But you don't have to resort to calling an expensive plumber or using a bottle of hazardous chemicals. Most stoppers will come right out when you pull up and turn the stopper to the left. When unclogging a sink with a garbage disposal, confirm that the unit is not the problem as soon as possible. Wait 15 minutes to allow the vinegar and baking soda to unclog Then twist and pull until you feel it hook onto the baffle. Feed auger into the wall pipe as described above. Unclog a Drain: How To Unclog A Drain Using Liquid Dish Detergent? In many cases, you’ll see that the water clears from your drain very quickly. Activate the reset switch at the side or on the bottom of the unit. 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. You can also inspect the drain with a flashlight to see if a clog is visible. A clogged bathroom sink can take time to clear. Many plumbers know how to unclog a sink clogged with grease using only liquid detergent and water. Place the plunger over the … Use an Auger on the Trap and Wall Pipe If these methods don't work, consider renting more heavy-duty drain cleaning tools from the Home Depot Tool Rental Center. 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. 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. You can also use natural solvents like baking soda and vinegar regularly to keep your sink from backing up. 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