How To Unclog A Sink With Standing Water?, by Easy Cleaning Hacks on YouTube. 4 min 14 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 14 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Remove the plug or strainer and scoop out any hair, food or soap scum you can reach with your fingers or a bent wire.
Boil a full kettle of water and pour it slowly straight down the drain in two or three goes. Wait a minute between pours to see if the water starts to drop.
If the water is still standing, tip half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour in one cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 10 to 15 minutes.
Flush the mixture away with a kettle of hot water and check whether the sink drains.
For a stubborn clog, pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt into the drain, then follow with a pot of hot water.
Block the overflow hole with a wet cloth, set the plunger cup over the drain and push down firmly. Plunge 10 to 15 times, then pull up sharply.
If the water still will not move, feed a plumber snake into the drain and turn the handle as you push until you feel the clog, then pull it back out.
Run hot water for a minute to test the flow. If the sink still backs up, the clog is deep in the pipe and you should call a drainage professional.
Tips and common mistakes
Never pour boiling water into a thin or cracked porcelain sink, and keep your hands clear of the water when plunging.
Do not use chemical drain cleaner before or after plunging, as it can splash back and burn your skin.
Plunge slowly at first so you do not splash dirty water over the counter.
Put a strainer in the drain afterwards to catch hair and food scraps.
Questions
Can I unclog a sink without a plunger?
Yes. The baking soda and vinegar method, or baking soda with salt and hot water, often shifts a light clog on its own. A bent wire can also hook out hair near the drain opening.
Why does the water drain slowly instead of not at all?
A slow drain usually means a partial clog of hair or grease further down the pipe. Try the hot water and baking soda steps first, then use a snake if it keeps coming back.
When should I stop and call a plumber?
If several methods fail, if water backs up in other drains, or if you smell sewage, the blockage is likely deep in the pipe. A drainage expert has the tools to clear it without damaging the pipes.
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.
