Short answer
To unclog a sink, start with the stopper: pull it out and clean off the hair and gunk. Then plunge with a cup plunger while a wet rag plugs the overflow (the small hole near the rim). Still slow? Put a bucket under the U-shaped pipe (the P-trap), loosen its two nuts by hand and clean it. Skip chemical drain cleaners. If several drains are slow at once, call a plumber.
How to unclog a sink, step by step
1The water is not going down
Do not add more water or pour in drain cleaner. Clear the sink so you have room to work.
Read all the steps
- The water is not going down. Do not add more water or pour in drain cleaner. Clear the sink so you have room to work.
- Pull out the stopper and clean it. Most bathroom stoppers lift straight up, or turn and lift. The clog is often a clump of hair and soap right there.
- Plunge with the overflow plugged. Cover the small overflow hole with a wet rag, leave enough water to cover the cup and plunge firmly 10 to 15 times.
- Still clogged? Clean the P-trap. Put a bucket under the U-shaped pipe, loosen its two nuts by hand (counterclockwise), then empty and rinse it.
- Put it back and run hot water. Hand-tighten the nuts, run hot tap water for a minute and check that nothing drips under the sink.
- Still not fixed? Call a plumber Especially if: several drains are slow or gurgle at the same time (likely the main line).
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What not to do
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaner: it can damage old pipes, burn skin and eyes, and makes the job dangerous for a plumber later.
- Do not mix cleaning products in a drain: some combinations give off toxic gas.
- Do not pour boiling water into a plastic (PVC) drain or a porcelain sink. Hot tap water is enough.
- Do not push a wire hanger down the drain: it scratches and packs the clog tighter.
Kitchen sink with two sides or a garbage disposal
Plug the other side with its stopper or a wet rag before you plunge, or the water just goes back and forth. If the garbage disposal is jammed, turn it off at the switch. Put an Allen wrench in the hole under the unit and turn it back and forth until it moves freely. Then press the red reset button, run cold water and turn it on. Never put your hand inside the disposal.
When to call a plumber
- Several drains are slow or gurgle at the same time (likely the main line).
- Water comes up in the other side of the sink or in the tub when you drain.
- The P-trap is clean and the water still does not go down (the clog is inside the wall).
- A sewer smell, or a leak under the sink after you put the trap back.
Frequently asked questions
How do I unclog a sink without chemicals?
Clean the stopper, plunge with the overflow hole plugged, then clean the P-trap. Those three steps clear most bathroom and kitchen sink clogs.
Do baking soda and vinegar unclog a drain?
They fizz, but rarely clear a real clog of hair or grease. Use them with hot water as monthly upkeep, not as the fix.
Is it safe to use chemical drain cleaner?
It is risky: it can damage old pipes and burn skin and eyes, and it is dangerous for whoever opens the pipe next. A plunger and a clean P-trap are safer.
What is a P-trap?
The U-shaped pipe under the sink. It holds a little water that blocks sewer smells, and it is where hair, grease and small objects get stuck.
Why is my sink draining slowly?
In a bathroom it is usually hair and soap around the stopper; in a kitchen, grease and food. If several drains are slow at once, the clog is further down the line.
When should I call a plumber for a clogged sink?
When the P-trap is clean and it still does not drain, when other drains back up too, or when you notice a sewer smell or a leak.