Understanding Sink Clogs

What Causes a Clogged Drain?

• Hair is a common cause of clogging. Hairs bind with grease and other sticky substances and form blockages.
• Soap. Soaps based on animal fats can form clogs by mixing with the minerals in the water and forming soap scrum.
• Food scraps. They are tricky even with a garbage disposal. Coffee grounds, egg shells, rice, pasta, fibrous vegetables can all cause problems.
• Fats, oils and grease. They accumulate over time, coating the walls of the pipes, eventually combining with other debris.
• Mineral buildup. Hard water contains lots of minerals. These tend to also stick to the pipes.
• Trash. Wipes of any kind can cause problems, even if they are “flushable”. The same goes for other hygiene products as well.

Top 8 Methods to Clear the Blockage

1. Boiling Water to Clear a Blockage

Safety comes first. Be careful not to splash, to avoid burns. Also, this method is not applicable if you have PVC pipes, as boiling water may affect them negatively. If you have metal pipes this is a great first step. Pour the water directly down the drain and into the trap. This may dissolve the clog, especially if it is caused by soap scum or grease.

• Boil a gallon of water in a big pot kettle or in a container that enables you to pour it directly down the drain.
• Wait until the water reaches a rolling boil.
• Be cautious and pour the water into the drain slowly to avoid splashing, as splashing can cause burns.
• Allow some time for the clog to dissolve.

Remember these guidelines:

Avoid pouring boiling water directly into a porcelain sink; instead, pour it down the drain. Additionally, refrain from using boiling water with plastic (PVC) pipes, as temperatures higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit can cause certain types of PVC pipe to soften. When dealing with plastic pipes, try to clear the clog using a plunger.

2. Baking Soda and Vinegar for a Clogged Bathroom Sink

If boiling water alone doesn’t work for you or if you have plastic pipes, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can also do the trick. This is particularly effective for minor clogs like soap scum or toothpaste build-up. Before you start, be sure to clear away any standing water resulting from the clog.

• Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar separately into the clogged drain.
• Cover the opening of the drain with a cloth or plug.
• Allow 30 minutes to an hour before uncovering the drain.
• Flush the drain with boiling water, then follow with tap water to test if the sink now drains.
• Repeat the process if necessary.

Tip:

Even when your sink isn’t clogged currently, it’s wise to use the vinegar and baking soda method once a month as a preventive measure. This will clear away any debris before it turns into a more difficult clog to handle.

3. Baking Soda and Salt

Baking soda can effectively help in clearing sink clogs caused by grease. Here’s the process:

• Combine equal amounts of baking soda and salt with four times the amount of boiling water.
• Pour the mixture of baking soda and salt directly into the drain.
• Let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
• The next morning, run hot water down the drain to make sure it’s clear.

Tip

Remember to never pour grease into your sink drain. Once the grease cools down, it solidifies and can easily cause a blockage.

4. Plunger Method for a Sink Drain

Simply pouring water down the drain may not solve the issue. If that’s the case, there are two common types of plungers for home use: the cup plunger and the flange plunger (also known as a toilet plunger). When working on sinks, showers, and tubs, use a cup plunger. Before using the plunger, close the overflow opening. For a bathtub, cover the overflow at the front of the basin with duct tape. In the case of a sink, block the overflow outlet located at the top of the bowl either with duct tape or a damp rag.

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• Remove the basket strainer from the kitchen sink drain or the stopper from the bathroom sink drain.
• Fill the sink bowl, tub, or shower pan with a few inches of water to create a tight seal with the cup of the plunger.
• Ensure that the cup plunger is securely sealed against the drain surface.
• Use quick, forceful plunges by pumping up and down several times to try to clear the blockage. You may have to cover the overflow opening with duct tape or a wet rag to prevent the air pressure from loosening the seal.
• Let the faucet run for a minute or two after the blockage has been cleared.
• Remove the seal from the overflow outlet and reinsert the drain stopper or sink basket.

5. Drain Snake for a Clogged Sink

If the plunger was not successful in removing the blockage, consider using a sink auger, which is also known as a drum or canister auger or a drain-cleaning snake.

• Take out the drain stopper, if it is necessary.
• Insert the auger cable into the drain opening. If you encounter resistance indicating a blockage, retract an additional 12 inches of the cable and secure the setscrew on the auger canisters.
• Rotate the auger’s crank handle to the right while exerting some pressure on the cable. The cable might become lodged in the blockage or in the bends of the pipe; rotating the cable assists in disintegrating the obstruction or moving the cable end beyond the bend.
• Add extra cable as necessary until you sense that you have managed to clear the blockage. This method should be effective if the blockage is in the trap.
• Remove the cable from the pipe, while pushing it back into the canister. When pulling it out of the drain, the cable might have a significant hair clog attached to its end. Repeat this procedure as necessary until the blockage is removed.
• Once the drain begins to move, run hot water from the tap.

6. P-Trap Cleaning

If you have pushed the cable of a sink auger fully through the trap without hitting a blockage, the blockage is likely located in the branch drain or the vertical drain stack in the wall beyond the branch drain. To access these pipes, you will need to eliminate the drain trap. Removing clogs beyond the trap requires a bit more effort but is still relatively straightforward.

Remember the following instructions:

• Position a bucket beneath the trap to catch the water that will spill out when the trap is taken off.
• Use tongue-and-groove pliers or a pipe wrench to loosen the slip nuts at both ends of the trap. Remove the slip nuts and the trap. Take note of the orientation of the nylon slip washers on the pipe to make it easier to reassemble later.
• Empty the water from the trap into the bucket. Water will also drain from the disconnected ends of the pipe.
• Insert the auger cable into the horizontal section of the drainpipe, tighten the setscrew, and turn the cable as previously instructed. If the cable gets stuck at a pipe bend, turning the auger and applying pressure will help move it past the bend.
• Continue working the cable further into the drain until you feel that the clog has been cleared, then remove the cable.
• Reattach the drain trap and run hot water from the faucet through the drain to clear out any remaining debris.

Tip

Remember that your sink is not a garbage can. Take care that items such as cotton swabs, coffee grounds, egg shells, and large fibrous vegetables don’t end up in your drain. These materials can quickly build up and form blockages.

7. Enzymatic Drain Cleaners for a Sink Drain

If everything else proves ineffective and you need to utilize a drain cleaner, choose a gentle, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable alternative. Refrain from using chemical drain cleaners, as they could potentially harm the environment or your plumbing system’s drain pipes, and these harsh chemicals can be extremely hazardous. Furthermore, chemical cleaners seldom effectively clear persistent clogs. After an unsuccessful attempt, you will be left with a basin full of water and harmful chemicals that you will need to manually remove. Adhere to the instructions provided with your chosen non-toxic cleaner for optimal outcomes.

8. Wet Dry Vacuum

A wet/dry vacuum can be used as a surprisingly simple method to unclog a drain. It operates similarly to a plunger but with increased power and suction. Once the drain stopper is removed, you can follow these steps.

• Use a rag to cover the drain opening and seal the overflow by placing an additional damp cloth over it.
• Create a tight seal by placing the end of the vacuum hose against the drain.
• Start the vacuum and pay attention to any changes in sound. If there’s no change after 15 seconds, switch to suction, then back to exhaust.
• Flush the drain with water to ensure it’s clear.

When to Seek Professional Help

It’s possible that a serious blockage may not respond to any do-it-yourself methods. If this is the situation, it’s advisable to contact a certified plumber to address the issue. If you persist in experiencing slow drainage or unpleasant smells coming from the drain, this may indicate a long-standing buildup that will continue to obstruct the flow of water. At this stage, it’s wise to contact a dependable professional to resolve the issue once and for all.

FAQ

What substances are safe for unclogging a drain?

There are a few options for substances to use to unclog your drain. These include pouring boiling water down the drain, as well as using mixtures of baking soda with vinegar or salt.

Is it okay to pour boiling water down the drain?

Using boiling water is a good option, but it’s important to note that it’s best for metal pipes. For PVC pipes, it’s better to utilize other methods to avoid causing any damage to the plastic material.

Is it safe to pour bleach down the drain?

It’s not advised to use bleach or any bleach-based solutions down a drain. Bleach has the potential to react within your pipes and cause corrosion, which may eventually lead to cracks or bursts.