How To Unclog A Sink Yourself (using bleach, dish soap, a plunger & wire)., by Ray Stein on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 35 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Put on rubber gloves and open a window. Scoop out the standing water with a cup or sponge until you can see the drain hole.
Pour about half a cup of bleach straight down the drain, then add a good squeeze of dish soap. The soap helps the bleach reach the clog.
Leave it to sit for 20 to 25 minutes. Do not use the sink or run water during this time.
Press the plunger cup flat over the drain so it seals. Push down and pull up firmly 10 to 15 times in a row.
Check the flow with hot water. In most cases the plunger alone clears the clog at this point.
If the water still drains slowly, straighten a coat hanger and bend a small hook at one end, or use a sink snake. Push it into the drain and pull out any hair or debris.
Plunge again a few times, then flush the drain with hot water for a minute to wash the loosened gunk away.
Tips and common mistakes
Never mix bleach with another drain cleaner, ammonia or vinegar, because the fumes can be dangerous.
Seal the overflow hole in the sink bowl with a wet rag while you plunge, or the pressure escapes and the clog stays put.
Pull hair and debris out with the wire rather than pushing it further down the pipe.
Flush the drain with hot water once a week to keep soap scum and hair from building up again.
Questions
Can I use bleach on a fully blocked sink?
Bleach works best on slow drains where some water still moves. If the sink is completely full and not draining at all, bail out the water and plunge or snake first, then treat it.
What if the plunger and wire do not clear it?
The clog is probably further down the pipe. Remove and clean the P-trap under the sink, or call a plumber if the blockage keeps coming back.
Is bleach safe for my pipes?
Diluted household bleach is fine for occasional use on metal and plastic pipes. Do not leave it sitting for hours and never combine it with other cleaners.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
