A clogged sink can create a lot of frustrations as you suddenly have no room to wash your hands, dishes, vegetables or anything else. However, we’ll share with you five ways that could potentially fix your clogged sink as well as what you should avoid doing and when professional drain cleaning might end up being the best option.
Quick Takeaways
- Clogged sinks are usually caused by grease, other food debris, soap scum and hair
- Simple household items and tools may be all that’s necessary to clean your clog
- Doing the wrong thing could push the clog deeper or even damage your pipes
- Repeated clogs can be a sign of significant buildup deep in your drain line
- Professional drain cleaning focuses on fixing the root cause, not only the symptom
What Causes a Sink to Get Clogged
Here are a few of the most common causes of a clogged sink:
- Food and grease buildup, which is more common in kitchen sinks
- Soap and hair residue; this is more likely in bathroom sinks
- Mineral buildup, which is usually the result of hard water
- Improper disposal of foreign objects that shouldn’t go down a drain
How to Fix a Clogged Sink
Here are five methods that you can use to fix a clogged sink, starting with easier ones and finishing with the more complicated options.
1. Try Boiling Water First
If what’s causing your blockage is grease, soap or food particles, boiling water may be all that’s needed to dislodge it and get everything flowing like it should. To do this, boil about half a gallon of water and pour it directly into the drain. You can try it a second time if the first doesn’t solve the issue.
However, if your home uses PVC pipes, you should skip this method as boiling water can melt affect PVC.
2. Use a Plunger the Right Way
A plunger could dislodge the blockage, but keep in mind that it’s best to use one that’s designed for sinks; these are usually smaller with flat bottoms.
Before you do so, fill your sink halfway with hot water and cover the drain in your second sink if you have a double sink. Then, quickly pump the plunger several times.
3. Clear the Drain With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Using a gentle chemical reaction by combining baking soda with vinegar may remove that stubborn clog.
First, take out any standing water from your sink and pour one cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar, and then cover and seal the drain before checking on its progress 15 minutes later. Feel free to repeat the process if any progress was made the first time.
You can also follow this method with the boiling water one if you don’t have PVC pipes.
4. Clean the P-Trap Under the Sink
Sometimes, clogs settle in P-traps and become quite difficult to dislodge from there. However, you can get under your sink, remove your sink trap and clear out the clog directly if it’s there.
That said, prepare for a messy experience, partially by placing a bucket underneath the pipe before you start. Then, unscrew its connectors, remove it, clean it out and reconnect it. Whether this fixed your issue or not, run your water afterwards to ensure that you reconnected it tightly.
5. Use a Drain Snake
Another DIY option is to use a drain snake, which is also known as a plumber’s snake and an auger. Assuming that the clog isn’t between your drain opening and your P-trap, you should do this when your P-trap is open so that you can get even deeper down the drain in search of that clog.
Send it in a few feet at a time, being careful to not push the clog even deeper. Once you feel it hit something, crank its handle to dislodge it or to grab it and pull it back. Run hot water afterwards.
What Not to Do When Fixing a Clogged Sink
It’s understandable to be frustrated by your clogged sink, but refrain from doing these treatment methods as they can result in extensive pipe damage or otherwise worsen the situation:
- Use chemical drain cleaners, such as Drano
- Force tools down your drain
- Ignore recurring clogs, which can indicate deeper issues
Signs Your Sink Clog Is Deeper in the Drain Line
Here are a few warning signs that your sink clog is deeper in the drain line than you may have thought:
- Slow drainage quickly returns
- Gurgling sounds
- Foul odors
- Multiple fixtures are backing up
When Professional Drain Cleaning Is the Best Solution
If none of these steps has solved your issue, professional drain cleaning is likely the best solution. Taking advantage of that option will provide you with numerous benefits, including:
Removing buildup along your pipe walls- Preventing repeat clogs from forming
- Protecting your pipes
- Restoring proper and desired water flow
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest way to fix a clogged sink?
The fastest potential way to fix a clogged sink is pouring boiling water down your drain.
Can I fix a clogged sink without a plumber?
In many cases, you can fix a clogged sink without a plumber. Options include boiling water, a plunger, a baking soda-vinegar mixture, cleaning your P-trap and using an auger.
Why does my sink keep clogging even after I clear it?
Your sink might keep backing up if you have a deeper clog further down your drain.
Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?
Chemical drain cleaners aren’t safe to use as they can damage pipes.
How do I know if my sink needs professional drain cleaning?
If you’ve taken advantage of numerous DIY fixes and none of them worked, consider professional drain cleaning.
Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning in Niceville, FL
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Niceville, FL, provides fast diagnosis and safe and effective solutions that last to home and business owners throughout the Niceville area. If you’d like to receive service from our punctual plumbers, contact us today.