Don’t you hate it when your sink gets clogged?
It can be frustrating, but there are a few easy ways to fix the problem.
In this article, we’ll show you some ways on how to unclog a sink, starting from identifying the problem to checking to see if the sink is working properly. You can also check out our guide on how Drano works so you can deal with clogged sinks and drains at home.
Let's get started.
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Steps to unclog a sink
The first step is to identify the problem. There are four different reasons why your sink gets clogged, so you need to figure out which one is the cause of your problem.
1) Is it a hair or soap scum?
If this is the case, there are homemade remedies that are extremely easy to whip up. All you have to do is use baking soda and vinegar to dissolve any residue that might be causing the clog. You can buy a drain snake if you want an easier solution since you can use this out of the box.
2) Did something get stuck in the drain?
If this happens, try turning off your water supply first before checking for anything stuck inside. Use a pair of tongs or pliers to remove whatever is stuck in the drain. If this doesn't work, you can use a plunger or a snake depending on what you have available at home.
3) Is your overflow plate cracked?
If there are any cracks in your overflow plate, then water will start to pool up and that's where all the gunk gets stuck and causes clogging. In addition, if the overflow plate is blocked with gunk, it won't allow water to escape from the sink properly. This might not be noticeable since the water will still come out from your faucet but eventually, it will cause overflows which can be a bit messy to clean up. So if you think something is stuck in the overflow plate or it has cracks then be sure to check out our step-by-step guide on how to fix a cracked sink fill.
4) Is your waste line blocked?
A blocked waste line will cause water to back up into your sink. If this happens, you need to first turn off your main water and drain some of the water from your sink by using a bucket. Then, clean up any gunk that is blocking the waste line. After that, turn back on the main water valve and try flushing again. This might take a few tries so just keep trying until all of the gunk comes out from the drain.
If none of these work, then you might have a bigger problem with your drain and it's best to call a professional plumber to fix the issue. More likely than not though, one of these solutions will solve your problem.
How To Unclog A Double Kitchen Sink
Sometimes you might encounter double kitchen sink clogging. It's very similar to unclogging a regular sink but there are some additional steps you need to take for the problem to be fixed.
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1) Is your second drain struggling with hair and gunk?
If so, it's time to get a tool called a “drain snaking wire.” You can get one at home depot or any hardware store. However, if you don't have access to this tool then you can use a mop instead by wrapping it around the second drain hole and pulling it through from the other side of the sink. This will help break up any gunk that is stuck inside.
2) Are both drains free-flowing?
If yes, then the main pipe may be clogged. In this case, you can use a plunger to get rid of any clogs. Just be sure you have a bucket nearby because sometimes there might be a bubbling overflow when using a plunger.
3) Is one side free-flowing and the other not?
If this happens, there are two possibilities why this would happen. The first possibility is that your p-trap assembly is stopped up so you need to clean it out first before trying anything else. The second possibility is that one side has an individual sink assembly while the other side connects directly to the p-trap assembly which means you need to check if the p-trap itself is clogged or otherwise broken.
If you're not too sure what a p-trap is and how it works, then just run some water through both sinks and inspect which side the water drains slower. That will indicate whether or not you need to clean or replace your p-trap.
Unclogging a double kitchen sink involves several factors that you need to check out. Sometimes it's just one simple factor while other times it can be a combination of several things. With some patience, hard work, and the right tools, you should be able to fix your clogged double kitchen sink in no time.
How To Unclog A Bathtub Drain
A bathtub drain can get clogged for several reasons as well. Hair, soap scum, dirt, and gunk are some of the more common reasons why your bathtub drain might be blocked. These are the steps to follow to unclog it.
1) Clear out the overflow hole
The first thing you want to do is clear out any hair or gunk that's blocking your overflow hole. This will allow the water to escape from your tub during draining. If there's anything stuck in it then just use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull it out since this is located at the back of your tub near where you plug it in.
2) Use a plunger if nothing comes out
If after checking the above step and there doesn't seem to be anything blocking your drain then use a plunger to clear it out. Just fill up your bathtub with water and plunge several times until the drain opens up.
3) Use a sink plunger if all else fails
If you don't have a plunger at home, then here's an alternative option for you. Get yourself a sink plunger since they are designed to work on tub drains as well. You can get one at any hardware store – even Walmart will have them available in the plumbing section. Whichever method you use, just be sure that your plughole is already cleared out before trying anything else so avoid pushing any additional gunk or dirt down there while plunging or using the snake tool because this could cause further clogs anytime soon.
Learning how to unclog a bathtub drain is also a good skill to have around the house, as this might be a problem that occurs more often than you think.
Final thoughts on how to unclog a sink
In conclusion, if you do not want to go through all of the steps above, it is always best to use a plunger if the sink has an overflow. Plungers are very efficient at unclogging drains with or without an overflow. You just have to make sure that you seal off the drain so water does not come back up into your sink. If you do not have a plunger, there are many other methods for unclogging drains, but they will take longer and might cause more damage than they repair. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what you’re about to do before taking action.
