Learning how to unclog a sink may seem arduous, but fixing it yourself, without the effort or expense of calling in a plumber, is undoubtedly satisfying. A freely running sink also makes it easier to keep hygienic and avoid pests such as sink flies.
Assuming there are no obvious visible obstructions, the first indication that your sink might be blocked is usually that it's slow draining. A clogged sink may also smell bad or gurgle unusually when draining.
Here, plumbing experts share their recommended methods and top tips on how to unclog a sink without triggering any plumbing disasters worth avoiding.
How to unclog a sink like a pro
There are a number of reasons why your sink won’t drain, but fixing a clogged sink is never as bad a job as it first seems. ‘Before dialling a plumber, there are several easy methods you can try to unclog a sink first, which could save you time, money and effort,’ reassures David Cruz, plumbing expert at MyJobQuote.
1. Remove the pop-up drain
First things first, start by removing the pop-up drain in the bottom of the sink basic, says Aaron Adams, licensed master plumber and CEO of Aaron Services: Plumbing, Heating, Cooling.
'You can normally remove this by gently twisting the flat disc that pops up to open the drain and compresses to close the drain counter-clockwise,' he advises. This will make it easier to unclog a bathtub drain, too.
If you don't have a pop-up drain, you can skip this step.
2. Reset the garbage disposal
If you’ve been a little over-zealous when feeding an electric waste disposal unit fitted to your sink, it could be the source of your blockage. Happily, unclogging a garbage disposal is often an easy fix that requires removing the offending obstacle, with the machine turned off of course, and then restarting.
‘If your food waste disposer won't run you may need to reset it using the overload protector button on the bottom,’ says Marco Pastore from InSinkErator. ‘If the food waste disposer is clogged, if it is run for a very long period of time, if it overheats, or if there is something wrong with the disposer, it will shut down automatically and need to be reset.’
3. Try boiling water
Your first port of call for actually unclogging the sink, says Stuart McGinn, draining expert at Drain Detectives, is boiling some water.
'For slow draining sinks and mild clogs, the first call to action is as simple as boiling your kettle, and slowly pouring it down the plug hole,' he says. 'After around five to 10 minutes, repeat the process with another kettle of boiling water and check if the problem has resolved.'
Importantly, adds Al Fagundes, founder and CEO at A. Fagundes Plumbing & Heating, you really want to avoid pouring the water in all at once, and pouring it too slowly for it to work.
'Hopefully, the hot water works the clogged material loose, and your drain returns to normal,' he says. 'If not, it's time to try another method.'
This tip may come in handy when unclogging a shower drain, too.
4. Use a plunger
Plungers essentially suction up water to release blockages in the process, so knowing how to use a plunger can rescue things in a range of scenarios.
To unclog a sink this way, use a flat cup plunger, such as the Korky Mini Sink and Drain Plunger available at Amazon, which Alex Atkinson, plumber and HVAC technician at Super Brothers, recommends.
'First, block the overflow hole with a wet rag or put a drain stopper in the second sink if your sink is a double,' he says. 'Fill the sink with about two to three inches of warm water to create suction.
'Then place the plunger over the drain pipe and press down and pull up 10–15 times firmly. If the clog is near the surface, this will loosen it most of the time. Hear a gurgling sound and watch the water drain quickly, which means the clog is being removed.'
Additionally, adds master plumber Aaron, when the clog comes up out of the drain, use paper towels such as the Bounty Paper Towels available at Walmart, to gather up debris and throw it away.
5. Try a plumber’s snake
You don’t have to be a professional plumber to own a plumber’s snake or drain snake. Basic handheld plumber’s snakes, also known as drain augers, are readily available at hardware stores, and you can buy them at Amazon for quick delivery, too.
Once you know how to use a drain snake, it's an easy and effective tool to keep on hand.
This clever device has a flexible, coiled hose that is slim enough to be inserted through the drain (plug hole), and a handle that is turned so that the coil burrows through any blockages it hits upon.
When choosing a plumber’s snake, go for a reasonably long coil, and consider a model that attaches to a cordless drill if you have one, for extra turning speed and power. In a pinch, says licensed plumber Aaron, you can use a stretched wire clothes hanger.
Shaylin King, owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Eastern Washington, a Neighborly Company, advises, 'When using a manual drain snake, insert it into the drain, twist or push it deeper to hook onto debris in the drain, and pull it out slowly to remove gunk. Then, run hot water to flush the drain.
'A snake drain works by breaking and pulling out the clog. They can work well for pulling out hair from drains, but for sink kitchen sink clogs, a hand-crank snake controlled by a plumber may be needed.'
6. Use an ezymatic opener
As plumbing expert Shaylin says, an additional step to clearing a drain can be by using an enzyme-based cleaner, such as the bleach-free Green Gobbler Liquid Drain Clog Remover & Cleaner available at Amazon.
'Follow the directions of the product,' he says. 'These can work to unclog sinks due to the natural bacteria and enzymes digesting organic clogs without damaging the pipes.
Importantly, says Kodi Wilson, plumbing expert at the National Technical Institute, be careful when you use chemical drain cleaners, and always avoid them as far as possible.
'Overusing these products may cause damage to pipes,' he explains. 'They are also a hazard to the individual using them and others in the home.'
7. Unscrew and clean the P-trap
Meddling with pipework may seem a bridge too far, but it’s worth knowing the P-trap under a sink is designed to easily unscrew precisely for unclogging and maintenance purposes and is simple to do yourself.
The P-trap (plumber’s trap), or P-stop, is the curved pipe under the sink, which holds water and is designed to stop drain odors coming back up out of the drain. If debris is stuck in this bend, it can be the cause of your clogged sink.
You may already know how to do this if you've ever had to change a kitchen sink drain, but, if you don't, plumber Al Fagundes directs, 'Place a bucket [such as the Sterilite Spout Pail available at Walmart] underneath the P-trap. This will catch the water in the P-trap as you take it apart.
'Using a wrench or your hands, unscrew the slip nuts on both ends. Then, remove the trap and clean out the debris inside. Finally, reassemble the trap and test the drain.'
8. Call in the pros
If none of these steps have worked, there's nothing left to do but call in the pros to help.
Plumbing expert Alex explains, 'If these steps fail, or the clog continues to return, there could be a more serious problem at hand, like a blockage in the main drain line, or even a root intrusion by trees.
'After you've attempted all of the above, it's now time to call in a professional plumber. We have the tools to feed a motorized auger deep into the drain pipe or perform a video camera inspection to determine precisely where the clog is.
'In some instances, a plumber will utilize a hydro-jetter, which shoots high-pressure water through the pipes to get them spick and span.'
How to prevent sinks clogging
After all this effort, you'll want to avoid your sink from clogging again in the future.
Joseph Wade, VP of operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, advises, 'In the kitchen, you can avoid a clogged sink by carefully choosing what you put in the disposal.
'Careful use and diligent maintenance will also extend the life of your sink, which means fewer calls to the plumber and more money in your pocket.
'Be sure to avoid tossing down the sink large bones, potato peels, coffee grounds, fat, grease, and fibrous vegetables like celery and asparagus.' For these, pop them in a food waste bin, such as the odor-proof mini ENLOY Compost Bin available at Walmart.
'Paint is also a big no-go, as the paint can create a build-up over time and it’s also bad for the environment,' adds Joseph, which is why it's one of the liquids you should never pour down your sink.
'Another preventive measure is to buy a screen trap to catch food debris in the sink.' We recommend the MR.SIGA Kitchen Sink Strainer, available at Amazon for this.
Additionally, it's important to regularly clean your kitchen sink drain, too. You can do this by cleaning with vinegar, which you can also pour directly down, before following up with a cleaning spray, such as the Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner available at Walmart.
Alternatively, you can try one of the DIY draining cleaning solutions professionals swear by, like hydrogen peroxide or a salt and baking soda scrub.
Jelina Saliu, chief innovation officer at Safely, the home care and cleaning brand by Kris Jenner and Emma Grede, says, 'Combine a cleaning spray with some baking soda. Then use a dish brush to combine and scrub into your sink.
'This should help with discoloration and leave a nice shine.'
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This sink strainer is easy to clean, as the silicone can be inverted for cleaning, and is also dishwasher safe and PVC-free.
This bestselling drain snake includes an easy to use handle that spins 360 degrees, and works with most drains without the need to disassemble the drain stopper.
This multipurpose, eco-friendly drain cleaner digests dead organic waste found in your plumbing system, and restores drain flow to full capacity within days.
FAQs
How do you unclog a sink with standing water?
Standing water is a very obvious sign that your sink has a blockage that requires attention, just as in the bathroom, it can be a sign that you need to unclog a shower drain. The first step is to don some rubber gloves and feel around the drain hole for any obstructions that you can’t see through the murky water.
A plunger is often the best way to handle a sink with standing water, not least because you can use a plunger without having to remove all the water in the sink. If the sink is very full, it is worth removing some water, though, using a jug and bucket, to prevent it from slopping over the side while you plunge. Once you have just an inch or so of water in the sink, you can start plunging.
‘Drain cleaners, plungers and plumber’s snakes are just a few of the easy methods you could try to unclog a sink with standing water initially, potentially saving a hefty call-out fee,’ says David Cruz, plumbing expert at MyJobQuote.
Meet our experts
Importantly, you should never use vinegar and baking soda to unclog a drain. As pros warn, it can 'inadvertently reduce the lifespan of your plumbing infrastructure,' by corroding old pipes, damaging rubber seals and simply isn't strong enough to banish clogs.
