By Tony Carrick | Published Mar 29, 2023 11:15 AM
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When you’re faced with a clogged sink drain, your first instinct might be to reach for the phone to call a plumber. Resist that urge. You can tackle this problem on your own and save yourself hundreds using the tried-and-true methods below. By understanding how your sink drain operates and what’s likely causing the clog, you can learn how to unclog a sink drain in under an hour with just a few basic tools and supplies.
Working Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 30 to 45 minutes (depending on method) Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0 to $50 (depending on method)
Before taking on that clogged sink, it’s important to check a few boxes first. Have eye protection and gloves on hand if you plan on using boiling water or drain cleaner. You’ll also need to assess the type of pipes you have to make sure you’re choosing a method that’s safe for your plumbing. If you have PVC drain pipes, don’t use the boiling water method because intense heat could damage the pipes.
Below are all the supplies you’d need to complete all five drain-clearing methods we suggest below. The tools and materials you actually need will vary depending on the method you use to clear the clog. With that in mind, determine your plan of attack before heading to the store for supplies.
– Baking soda – Vinegar – Drain cleaner (optional) – Rubber gloves – Plunger – Rubber drain plug Wet/dry vac (optional) – Auger or drain snake Safety glasses
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Plunging the sink uses pressure to remove the clog and should be the first method you employ when unclogging a drain. Because plunging doesn’t involve dumping caustic chemicals or boiling water down the drain, it’s the safest option for both you and your home’s plumbing system. In addition to a plunger, if you’re unclogging a kitchen sink drain you may also need a conical rubber plug, which you can find in the plumbing section of your local home improvement store.
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If you don’t have a plunger or if your best plunging efforts have failed, then you can attempt to remove the clog by boiling it out, but do this only if you have metal pipes. If you have PVC pipes, skip this method. PVC can tolerate temperatures only up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, well below the 212-degree temperature of boiling water. Attempting to use this method with PVC pipes could melt the pipes or weaken the glue that holds them together.
To use the boiling water method, follow these steps:
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Baking soda and vinegar is a viable solution for light to moderate clogs, and it’s easier on your plumbing system than harsh commercial drain cleaners. As anyone who has ever conducted the elementary school volcano science experiment knows, when you mix vinegar and baking soda together, it causes a vigorous bubbling reaction. When that reaction takes place inside a drain, it can help break apart clogs.
Here’s how to use baking soda and vinegar to clear a drain:
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Sometimes the best way to eliminate a clog is by physically taking it out with a drain snake or auger. These devices run a metal cable through the drain to clear the clog. If you don’t own an auger, you’ll need to purchase one, which makes this method more expensive than the other DIY solutions. That said, it’s still much cheaper than calling in a plumber. If clogged drains are a fairly common occurrence in your home, a drain snake is probably a worthwhile investment.
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This method is last on our list for a reason. Commercial drain cleaners use chemicals that are highly toxic and bad for the environment. Using them too often can also corrode your pipes. While it’s certainly an easy solution, use drain cleaners only as a last resort. If you do opt to use a commercial drain cleaner, consider choosing one that meets the EPA Safer Choice standard.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using a drain cleaner. In most cases, you’ll follow a procedure like this one:
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You can take steps to prevent sink clogs by being mindful about what you put down the drain and by performing routine monthly maintenance.
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While clogged sink drains are certainly an inconvenience, don’t add insult to injury by paying a plumber hundreds of dollars to take care of this problem for you. Unclogging the drain is a repair you can handle, even if you have little experience with plumbing. Unless the clog is severe, the methods above are likely to fix the issue.
When attempting to clear a clogged drain with boiling water, drain cleaner, or vinegar and baking soda, protect yourself by wearing proper safety gear, and make sure that the method you’re using is safe for the type of pipes you have.
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