How to Unclog a Sink -- The Right Way, by Home Repair Tutor on YouTube. 10 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Clear the space under the sink and lay a towel down. Put a bucket under the P-trap to catch the water that will come out when you open the pipes.
Look at the pipes under the sink and find the P-trap, the curved section at the bottom. Note how the slip nuts line up so you can put it back the same way.
Loosen the slip nuts on both sides of the P-trap with the pliers, then by hand. Pull the trap off and empty it into the bucket.
Check inside the P-trap for hair, soap scum and gunk. Most slow sinks are blocked right here, so clean it out fully.
If the trap was clear, the clog is further down. Remove the pop-up stopper rod at the back of the drain so you can reach the drain opening.
Push a Zip It tool or drain auger down the drain and pull out the hair and debris. Repeat until the tool comes back clean.
If the drain is still slow, feed the tool or auger into the pipe that goes into the wall to clear the clog further along.
Wash all the removed pipes in warm soapy water and wipe them dry. Check the washers and slip nuts for cracks.
Refit the P-trap and tighten the slip nuts by hand, then a quarter turn with the pliers. Do not overtighten or you may crack the plastic.
Run hot water for a minute and watch the joints for leaks. Tighten any nut that drips, then refit the stopper rod.
Tips and common mistakes
Never pour chemical drain cleaner into a sink you plan to open, as it can splash back on you.
Skip the pliers if the nuts turn easily by hand, since overtightening is the most common cause of leaks.
Take a photo of the pipes before you loosen anything so reassembly is simple.
If the clog returns within days, the blockage may be deeper in the wall and needs a longer auger.
Questions
Do I really need to remove the P-trap?
Yes, in most cases. Hair and soap scum collect in the curved trap, and it is the easiest place to clear a slow bathroom sink.
What if the sink still drains slowly after cleaning?
The clog is likely past the trap in the wall pipe. Use a longer drain auger or call a plumber if it keeps coming back.
Can I use a plunger instead?
A plunger can help on a simple block, but it will not remove hair stuck in the trap. Removing the trap gives a proper clean.
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.
