How to Unclog a Sink Drain

A blocked kitchen or bathroom sink full of water can feel like a nightmare, but luckily, clogs can usually be cleared with DIY methods.

Soap scum, hair, and food scraps are some of the most common reasons for clogs, and depending on the cause and severity, there are multiple ways to unclog a sink drain— from plungers to solutions made of pantry staples. If you're facing a clogged sink, read on for eight easy fixes to try.

Boiling Water

Most clogs in sinks and tubs are due to a combination of hair, grease, soap residue, and tepid water sitting in the waste trap right below a drain's opening. If you have metal pipes, start by boiling a gallon of water and pouring it slowly and carefully down the drain to help dissolve built-up soap scum and grease.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

If you have plastic piping or boiling water isn't effective enough, pouring half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down the drain can clear minor clogs from soap residue and toothpaste. Make sure to remove any standing water in the sink before you start, place a cloth or plug over the drain for 30 to 60 minutes while the reaction takes place, and flush with hot or boiling water afterwards. You can repeat this process if necessary until the sink drains.

Baking Soda and Salt

Creating a solution of baking soda, salt, and water can also be an excellent remedy for grease clogs. Start by mixing equal parts baking soda and salt with four parts of boiling water, then pour the solution directly down the drain. Leave the sink for several hours or overnight, and flush your drain with hot water the next morning.

Plunger

If flushing the drain doesn't work, it's time to try a cup plunger. Start by sealing the sink's overflow opening with duct tape or a damp rag, then remove the basket strainer or stopper from the sink's drain.

Fill the sink with several inches of water, place the plunger over the drain opening—making sure it has a good seal—then, use an up-and-down motion for several plunges. The pressure created can cause the duct tape seal to loosen, so you may need to also keep a hand on the overflow opening.

Let the faucet run for a minute or two after the drain is clear, then remove the duct tape and replace the drain stopper or sink basket.

Sink Auger

If a plunger doesn't work or the clog is in your sink's trap, try a sink auger (also known as a drain-cleaning snake.) Start by removing the stopper, then extend the auger cable into the drain opening. Once you feel it hit the clog, pull out at least 12 inches of cable and tighten the auger's setscrew.

Rotate the auger's handle clockwise while applying moderate pressure on the cable, turning the cable if it gets stuck on the clog or bends in the pipe. Extend more cable until you feel the clog give way, then pull the cable out of the pipe, pushing it back into the canister as you go.

The cable may come out of the drain with a large clump of hair, so repeat the process as needed until the auger comes out clear, then flush with hot water from the sink's faucet.

P-Trap Cleaning

If you extend the cable of a sink auger all the way through the trap without contacting a clog, the issue is likely further down in the branch drain or vertical drain stack. To access these pipes, you'll need to remove the drain trap.

First, place a bucket under the trap to catch the water that will come out when it's removed, and loosen the slip nuts at each end of the trap with tongue-and-groove pliers or a pipe wrench. Remove the slip-nuts, the trap pipe, and nylon washers, then dump the water from the trap into the bucket.

Insert the auger cable into the horizontal section of the drainpipe, following the same steps as before. Apply pressure as needed, and work the cable into the drain until you push through the clog. Reassemble the trap, and flush with hot water to clear any remaining debris.

Drain Cleaners

If all else fails and you want to use a drain cleaner, follow the instructions on the cleaner of your choice for best results.

Wet Dry Vacuum

A wet dry vacuum is another surprisingly simple way of unclogging drain, working like a plunger with more power and suction. After removing the drain stopper, cover the opening of the drain and overflow with damp cloths.

Next, seal the hose of the vacuum against the drain, start the vacuum, and listen for changes in sound. Switch to suction after 15 seconds if there is no change, then switch back to the exhaust setting. Flush the drain with water afterwards to check the sink is clear.

When to Call a Professional

Severe clogs may not clear, even with all of these DIY methods. If that's the case, or if you continue to notice slow drainage, it's best to call a licensed plumber to fix the problem. It's also important to call a pro for any foul odors emitting from the drain, as these could be a sign of longstanding buildups that will continue to block the water and cause damage to your home's plumbing system.