A bathroom sink filling up with water when it should be draining can be an annoying experience. In addition to the water not draining as fast as you’d like, foul smells can come from the stagnating water. It may even attract insects. Thankfully, unclogging a bathroom sink is something you can almost always do by yourself.
The steps below will guide you through the process. They’ll first outline the most basic solutions. If those don’t work, keep working your way down the list until your clog is cleared.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
The first step to any home project is to gather your supplies. The most basic supplies you’ll need are a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hand, a cup and bucket to remove any excess water, and an old rag or sponge for cleaning up. The other supplies you’ll need can be tried individually. You don’t need them all on hand to attempt the unclogging. They are:
- A plunger
- A drain snake
- Baking soda and vinegar
- Liquid clog remover
Step 2: Remove Excess Water
Depending on how clogged your sink is, it may have a lot of standing water in it already. This can make it more difficult to get to the problem and/or make a mess when you do. If there’s a lot of standing water, use a cup or bowl to transfer it to the bucket.
Step 3: Use a Plunger
A plunger is the first step to removing any clog. It’s a simple solution that creates a seal around the opening of the drain and used air pressure to blow away the material causing the clog. To use a plunger, get the sink wet enough to create a seal, center the plunger over the drain, and press forcefully down on it. Repeat this several times. If it works, you should hear a gurgling sound as the water begins to flow.
Step 4: Use the Drain Snake
For stubborn clogs, a plunger might not push them through. Sometimes, a drain snake (also called an auger) can get the job done. This tool consists of a long coil of thick wire. You insert the wire into the drain and turn a handle on the device to push more and more of the wire into the pipes. The idea is that it will work its way to, and through, the clog. This either breaks up the material enough for the sink to drain or allows it to be pulled out when you remove the snake. When using a drain snake, be careful to be gentle. Otherwise, you may damage your pipes.
Step 5: Use Chemicals
Some clogs are extra stubborn, and won’t break up with an auger either. Sometimes, chemicals can help with this. The first option is the least harsh; baking soda and vinegar. When these substances are mixed, they create a fizz that can break down debris. A half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar is usually enough to get the job down. When you pour the vinegar in, put the stopper in the drain so the fizzing action is forced down into the pipes rather than up into the sink. If that still doesn’t work, you can try a harsher product like Drano or Liquid Plumr.
Get the Plumbing Supplies You Need at Builders
Whether you’re looking to unclog a drain or replace all of the plumbing in your home, Builders has the plumbing supplies you need to do the job right. We carry the top brands and have a large selection of in-stock items. If we don’t have what you need on hand, ask one of our friendly staff members to order it for you.
