Back To The Family Handyman
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About This Project
Clogged sinks are more than a nuisance; they can put your entire bathroom or kitchen out of action and disrupt your family’s busy schedule. Family harmony demands that at least one family member become adept at handling two inexpensive yet essential drainclearing tools—a plunger and a snake.
Warning: Don’t use drain-cleaning chemicals before using a plunger. The chemicals are corrosive and can splash out while you’re plunging. If you tried chemicals to open your drain and they didn’t work, let the drain sit overnight so as much water runs out as possible. Then refill the drain and put on safety glasses and rubber gloves to protect your eyes and bare skin before using a plunger.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the techniques for clearing sink drains with these tools. Even a novice can learn to clear most clogged drains in 10 to 15 minutes and skip that $100 plumbing bill. Get it done fast and you’ll be the family hero . . . at least until the next emergency!
Before mounting a full-scale plunger attack, clear the mouth of the drain right at the top. Sometimes the clog is in plain sight, like a wad of hair and scum stuck to the stopper in bathroom sinks. You can pull some stoppers straight out and clean them off. Others only lift slightly. Peer under them the best you can. If you see any crud buildup at all, remove them and clean them.
The stopper apparatus in bathtubs often catches debris too. But it’s usually easier to try the plunger solution before pulling it out.
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