How to Unclog an IKEA HAVSEN Sink (Step-by-Step Fix), by Agent Hunt Builds on YouTube. 8 min 37 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 37 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Put a bucket under the LILLVIKEN trap and lay towels on the cabinet floor. Water left in the pipes will spill out once you loosen the first connection.
Empty both bowls of the HAVSEN sink first. Bail out standing water with a cup so it does not flood the cabinet when you open the pipes.
Hand loosen the slip nuts on the LILLVIKEN trap and connecting pipes. Turn them counterclockwise and keep the parts in order as you remove them.
Pull out the trap and the pipe sections and tip them into the bucket. Check the rubber washers and keep them with the matching parts.
Scrape out the trapped food, grease and gunk from the trap and pipes. Use a bottle brush or wire to push through the bends until water flows freely.
Rinse every part with warm water and check the washers for cracks or hardening. Replace any damaged washer before you rebuild.
Reassemble the LILLVIKEN parts in the same order, seating each washer flat. Hand tighten the slip nuts, then snug them a little with the wrench.
Run hot water through both bowls and watch every joint for drips. Tighten any leaking nut a quarter turn and check again.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not overtighten the plastic slip nuts or you can crack them and cause a leak.
Flush hot water down the drain once a week to keep grease from building up again.
Never pour cooking fat down the sink, since it sets and clogs the trap.
If the water still drains slowly after cleaning, the blockage is further down the line and may need a drain snake.
Questions
Do I need to turn off the water first?
No. The LILLVIKEN trap sits below the drain, so no supply valve needs closing. Just empty the bowls before you open the pipes.
What if a slip nut will not budge?
Wrap a cloth around it and use an adjustable wrench for extra grip. Avoid forcing it, since the plastic can crack.
Can I use chemical drain cleaner instead?
It may help with light grease but does not remove solid debris in the trap. Taking the trap apart is the more reliable fix.
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.
