Sink drain clogs usually start small and grow. If your sink takes over a minute to drain, it is partially clogged. Completely clogged pipes stop water from draining at all. Calling a plumber is an expensive solution. Try some of these DIY solutions to get the water running and save money.
6 DIY Ways To Unclog a Sink Drain
Clogs usually start with grease, pasta, stingy vegetables, hair, bones, and other things you should never put down a sink drain.
Most households have some–or all–of the necessities for unclogging a drain. Here are some ways to use them.
Use a Plunger To Clear the Pipe
Plungers are usually one of the first choices to remove clogs–but to be effective they have to be used properly. Seal all drains with duct tape except the one you are working on–double sink drain, overflows, and dishwasher drains–to create a vacuum when plunging.
Put about 4” – 5” of water into the sink. Fit the plunger over the drain and pump it vigorously for 15 – 20 seconds. Remove the plunger and let the water drain. Run warm water down the drain for a couple of minutes to completely clear the clog. Repeat if necessary.
Run the Garbage Disposal
Sometimes the clog is in the garbage disposal–not the pipes. Run two cups of ice cubes through the disposal–or use other ways to clean your garbage disposal–to dislodge a clog in the unit.
Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain
Pouring boiling water directly down the drain can dissolve grease-based clogs. Use at least a half-gallon of water. Pour about two cups at a time–stopping for a few seconds between treatments. Repeat if necessary.
Do not use boiling water on PVC pipes. Water boils at 212 degrees. Any temperature over 140 degrees can melt or crack PVC.
Use a Vacuum Cleaner To Remove the Clog
A powerful wet/dry shop vacuum can suck the clog out of your drain. Seal off all other openings as you would when using a plunger. Hold the vac hose over the drain as tightly as possible and turn it on for about 15 seconds to suck out the clog. Rinse the drain clean with warm or hot water. Repeat if necessary.
Another option is to attach the hose to the vacuum blower outlet and try to blow the clog into the larger sewer pipes.
Pour Vinegar and Baking Soda Down the Drain
Mixing vinegar with baking soda creates an intense chemical reaction that can loosen and dissolve clogs. Make sure the drain is dry so the baking soda slides down to the clog. Pour in one cup. Add one cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with the plug or a wet cloth to force the mixture towards the clog. Let it work for about half an hour. Rinse the remains of the clog away with hot water.
Remove the P-trap
Clogs often occur in the P-trap below the sink drain. PVC traps are easy to remove with adjustable pliers or vice-grips. Place a towel and pail under the pipe when removing it to catch any water in the trap and pipe. Once it is off, clean out the clog and re-install the P-trap. Run water down the drain for a couple of minutes to make sure the clog is gone and there are no leaks.
Most metal drains also have P-traps. They are more difficult to remove–making it easier to damage the plumbing.
Use Commercial Drain Cleaner
Commercial drain cleaners have to get to the clog to dissolve it. Some cleaners claim to work through standing water. For the best results bale the water out of the sink or use a wet/dry vacuum to suck it out. Follow the product instructions which are usually:
Pour the cleaner into the drain.
Wait 15 or 20 minutes.
Flush the cleaner and dissolved clog down the drain by running warm or hot water for at least two minutes.
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