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How Do I Unclog a Sink?

Unclog a Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

To unclog a kitchen or bathroom sink, start with your easiest options first.

  1. Sink, Bath, and Shower PlungerFirst, try an accordion style sink plunger.
    • Accordion style sink plungers can be purchased online and in hardware stores for around $10.
    • Look for a high-efficiency accordion plunger that's designed just for sinks, showers and tubs, with a broad circular flange at its base to seal against the drain opening.
    • Before you begin, you may need to use a bucket to partially drain the sink if the water level is close to the top and you don't see an overflow opening near the sink rim.
    • Check to make sure the bottom of the plunger seals tightly against the drain opening.
    • Use extra caution and wear fluid resistant gloves and eye protection if working on a sink where chemical drain cleaners may have been used.
    • Note: if several plumbing fixtures in different rooms are all clogged, see our tips to unclog a main sewer drain.
  2. Handheld Drum AugerNext try a handheld drum auger to unclog the sink if the plunger doesn't work.
    • A 25 foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for around $30.
    • This is a good next choice, since the auger can break through many clogs that are further from the drain opening, and its spiral tip can often pass through any small-diameter traps and elbows in the lateral drain line that runs from the sink to the main drain. And, if the clog contains hair or fibers the spiral tip might pull out some of the residue.
    • To use the handheld auger:
    • Read and follow the drum auger safety instructions, then put on your work gloves and eye protection.
    • Remove the sink stopper, if present, and then feed the auger into the drain by locking the cable, turning the drum in a clockwise direction, and then unlocking and feeding the cable as needed to pass the auger tip through elbows and obstructions.Remove the Sink Trap
    • If you have difficulty passing the cable through the sink trap, it may be easier to place towels under the sink trap to handle any spills, remove the trap, and insert the auger directly into the drain opening underneath the sink.
    • After you have inserted the drum auger all the way into the drain, pull out the auger cable as you feed it back into the drum. It may take several attempts before the sink is unclogged.
    • Use extra caution when working on any plumbing fixture where chemical drain cleaners may have been used to avoid splashing liquid on yourself and surrounding areas.
    • Note: if you can't reach the clog with a hand held auger, you can try a flat sewer rod with a disk-shaped tip that can usually pass through more types of small diameter elbows and transitions, and is sold in lengths up to 100 Ft.
  3. Needle Nose Drain CleanerTry using a sewer jetter if the clog keeps coming back.
    • A Needle Nose™ drain cleaner is a sewer jetter with a tougher, braided steel jacket and a special compact nozzle tip that allows it to pass through almost as many drain elbows and transitions as a hand-held auger.
    • Important: you should try the Needle Nose drain cleaner only if you were able to insert the drum auger and sewer rod their full lengths into the drain. And, you should have an alternate, clogged drain opening available nearby in case the sewer jetter can't pass through any small diameter, short-radius elbows close to the sink.
    • Needle Nose Sewer Jetter VideoUnlike a mechanical auger, the sewer jetter scrubs the sides of dirty pipes and flushes out greasy residue so fewer clogs come back. You can see the differences between a mechanical auger and the sewer jetter as they both take on a greasy clog in this 2 minute video.
    • To unclog a sink with the Needle Nose drain cleaner:
    • Put on fluid resistant work gloves and eye protection. Use extra care if you believe the drain might contain drain cleaning chemicals.Needle Nose Drain Cleaner
    • Set up a bucket and towels under the sink trap to handle any spills, and then remove the trap.
    • Make sure the work area is well ventilated. And, if you're using a gas-powered pressure washer, only operate it outdoors.
    • Connect the drain cleaner to your pressure washer trigger gun. Then, to avoid getting water on indoor floors, while you're outside check your trigger gun and supply hoses for leaks.
    • Unclog a SinkStart your pressure washer, and then guide the nozzle about a foot into the drain opening before you squeeze the trigger to start the flow of water.
    • After you have finished cleaning the drain, pull the drain cleaner out. Use care to release the trigger to stop the flow of water before the nozzle reaches the drain opening.
    • Replace the sink trap, check for a water tight connection, and then remove the bucket and towels.
  4. If you're not comfortable performing any of these steps, hiring a good, licensed plumber could save you money in the long run. To find a good plumber in your area: Licensed Plumber
    • Start by asking family, friends and co-workers to recommend a licensed plumber who has performed similar services for them.
    • If you are unable to find a good recommendation from someone you know, search local directories like Google Maps, Yelp and CitySearch for licensed plumbers nearby who have good online reviews. Don't always trust reviews from individuals who published very few other reviews, or from people who give only positive reviews to everyone. Be aware that good service providers sometimes get a small number of negative reviews for reasons that might not be relevant to your situation. Look for a company with several reviews that tell a positive, believable story about repairs that are similar to yours.
    • After you find one or more licensed plumbers who seem to have a good reputation, search online for the company name and the names of individuals at the company, if known. Take into account both the positive and negative information that you find about the company.
    • Be aware that good plumbers sometimes have a backlog of several days during peak times when there are low temperatures, heavy rainfall or holidays. Sometimes heavy demand can be a sign of a company with lots of repeat customers.

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