Unclogging Sink Drain Trap

Occasional clogs in the sink tub or shower drains are a fact of life they are usually caused by localized clogs in the drain trap or branch drain for a single fixture.

Unclogging sink drain trap.

Most clogs ultimately get cleared with a proper plunging but you can. However more serious clogs need extra help to clear. Dirty water will flow out. The majority of sink clogs occur in the curved drain trap beneath the sink the pipe is usually shaped like a p s or j.

My first line of defense for unclogging a stopped up drain is to check the p trap the elbow shaped pipe under the sink. Check the drain trap for clogs. Release the stopper and watch beneath the sink to verify that the drain joints are not leaking. Unfortunately the trap s water trapping ability extends to hair grease debris and soap scum.

If the sink does not drain the clog may rest farther up the pipe. Boling water can be effective at unclogging a sink in your bathroom. Begin by sponging the water from the sink to reduce the flow under the sink when you pull off the trap. Remember to remove as much water from the sink as possible before you remove the trap.

Pour 1 4 cup of baking soda into your. Then place a bucket under the trap to catch any remaining water. Here s a method that uses natural household solvents to open up a clogged drain. This makes a p trap the number one location of clogs in the sewer system.

We show plastic drain lines but many older kitchen sinks have metal traps and pipes. Place the stopper in the sink and fill it with water. When you hear the suction clear the clog remove the plunger and flush the drain well with warm water. Allow your sink to drain completely.

The p trap is that curved pipe that you see beneath any sink in your home. Metal slip nuts are usually more difficult to loosen than plastic but either. Unscrew the connectors on the pvc pipe that holds the p trap the curved piece of pipe to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. However if you have several fixtures that are draining slowly or not draining at all the problem may be in the main drain or sewer line in your home.

If you can t unclog the drain using one of the steps above then it s time to take off the trap and waste arm and feed the drain snake directly into the drainpipe. The p trap is at the curve of the drainpipe under the sink usually inside a. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge vigorously several times. This may take time but it will eventually clear.

Be sure to put a bucket under the pipe before removing it. If the clog remains after your work on the drain trap then the problem is deeper in the drain system and you ll need to use a drain snake or call a plumber. If the p trap becomes only slightly clogged then you experience slow drainage in the. Keep your pan or bucket underneath.