How to Plunge and Unclog a Sink Drain 

By Beverly Le Roux

There will come a time when you face a clogged sink drain, but take heart. It happens to all of us from time to time, and most drain clogs can be taken care of without calling a plumber.

These tips are applicable to any stubborn sink drain clog in your home. Just remember that if you have no success unclogging the drain, you need to call a professional licensed plumber for assistance.

First, you need to have the right tools. These tools will not break the bank, and you can get them at any local hardware store.

· Plunger ($5-$10)
· Cable Auger or Plumber's Snake (25 ft. $15-$25)

If you only have a minor sink clog, you will most likely be able to take care of the problem using a plunger. All you need to do is fill the sink partially with water. You will then start vigorously plunging up and down a few times and remove the plunger from the sinkhole quickly.

If you have a double hole bathroom or kitchen sink, stuff a wet washcloth in one hole while you plunge the other hole. The washcloth will enable direct pressure delivery to the clog.

If the plunger doesn't do the job, get the cable auger and get under the sink. You will need to remove the sink trap using a pipe wrench. You will probably be able to unscrew the large threaded PVC plastic traps by hand. Empty the water from the water trap and check for any clogs.

Find the stub out in the wall and remove the horizontal trap arm from it. Deliver the cable into the stub out until you clearly feel resistance. Next, you will pull out 18 inches of cable and tighten the lock screw. In a clockwise motion, turn the handle while pushing forward to drive the cable further into the pipe.

Pull out another 18 inches of cable and go through the process again until you can break through the blockage. If it seems that the cable gets caught on something, retreat in a counterclockwise motion and pull back on the cable auger. When the cable clears, you will be able to repeat the process again.

Recover the cable and replace the trap arm and sink trap. You can now turn on the hot water to test if the water drains properly. If it seems to still be clogged, debris from the original clog may have settled into a loose blockage. In this case, simply fill the sink partially with hot water, grab your plunger, and loosen the residual blockage. You can follow with more hot water.

Did you find this article helpful? For any plumbing problem you may have in the future, please visit http://www.supersnakeplumbing.com

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