Do-It-Yourself Sink Clog Repair

If you have a sink within your home that has become filled with water that will not drain, you will want to take the necessary steps in unclogging the obstruction so you are able to continue utilizing your fixture. Sink clogs are an annoyance that can usually be remedied on your own with the proper tools and a bit of know-how. Here are some steps to following in trying to unclog your sink yourself.

Use A Few Tools

The first steps in trying to unclog a sink is to try a plunger and a plumber's snake. These two tools are used by plumbers to try getting sink drains to open up by dislodging the obstruction in the piping down below. Plunging is done in the same way as you would with a toilet. Simply place the flange over the sink drain and pump the plunger in an up and down motion to see if it pulls the obstruction from the pipe enough that the liquid will be able to get past.

A plumber's snake is used from above. Place the tip of the wire snake into the drain and unwind it from the reel. This wire will make its way down the pipe system until it hits the obstruction, either pushing it out of the way or attaching it to the end of the tool to pull up when you wind the snake back up onto the reel.

Try Natural Methods

Place a fifty/fifty mixture of vinegar and baking soda into the water in your sink's basin to help loosen any material in the pipes below. A few tablespoons of each should be enough to do the trick, but if you have a full basin, the amount can be increased. Allow this to sit in the basin for several hours. As it makes its way into the drain, it will eat away at any debris in the pipes, helping the water to drain as a result. 

Disassemble Underneath

If plunging or snaking does not have favorable results, you may need to take the P-trap pipe out of the piping below the sink to clean the obstruction out yourself. Turn off the water supply to your sink by turning the valve on the wall next to the piping to the left. Place a bucket below the P-trap pipe (the curved pipe) under your sink.

Use a pair of pliers to loosen the nuts on each side of the pipe. Slowly move the pipe away from the rest of the draining system so the water inside drains out into the bucket. Peer inside and remove any debris that may be clogging the sink drain. If you do not see anything, use your plumber's snake in the pipe that goes toward the wall, as it may not have reached this far when you tried using it from the drain. 

For more information, or if you would like professional assistance, contact Ideal Plumbing & Heating or a similar company.


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