Answer:
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Fill the sink with hot water until it's about halfway full and creates a seal around the drain.
Position the plunger over the drain and begin pumping up and down quickly several times.
Remove the plunger and wait to see if the water drains.
Repeat the process until the water drains freely.
If the sink still isn't draining properly after multiple plunging attempts, you know the drill. Time to try a different method.
4. Break it down with baking soda and vinegar
This approach is a natural alternative to using chemical drain cleaners on clogged drains. Much to your convenience, baking soda and vinegar are also common household items that you're likely to already have in your kitchen. Follow these steps to let the mixture work its magic:
Remove standing water from the sink with a cup or bowl.
Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain, using a spatula or spoon to push the powder down the drain if necessary.
Pour one cup of white vinegar down the drain opening.
Place a stopper or cover on the drain to seal the opening.
Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
Remove the cover and run hot tap water down the drain.
Use boiling water to break up more intense clogs.
As with any unclogging method, this natural alternative doesn't have a 100% success rate. However, if it seems like you're making progress on the clog after completing the steps, repeat the process to double down on the blockage.
5. Try the plumber's snake
The clogs that put up a fight will require the strength of a plumber's snake to battle the blockage. The tool has a coiled spiral snake that reaches down into the drain. Once the snake hits an obstruction, you can crank the handle to dislodge the debris and pull it out of the drain. Electric snakes pack even more power to tackle clogged drains.
If you don't have a plumber's snake, you can create a makeshift one with a wire coat hanger. Simply use a pair of needle-nose pliers to unwind the hanger into a long piece of wire. Keep the hooked end, as this is what you'll use to grab onto the debris. If necessary, you can use the pliers to adjust the angle of the hook so that it can easily fit through the drain opening.
No matter which tool you're using, simply feed it down the drain a few feet at a time. Try not to push too roughly, as you might accidentally push the clog further down the pipe. When you feel the tip of your tool hit an obstruction, hook it on and pull the debris up through the drain. Keep doing this until you feel confident that the blockage is gone. Run hot water down the drain to see if you're right.
6. Clean the P-trap
If the water is still not draining correctly, there might be a blockage in the P-trap, aka the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing your sink to drain slowly or not at all because the water hits a snag on its way down.
The fix is disassembling the pipe to clean out the gunk that's causing the blockage. Warning: This task can get a little messy, so you might want to prepare yourself with gloves, goggles and towels. When you're ready, follow these steps to clean the P-trap:
Place a bucket underneath the pipe. This will catch any backed up water or debris that may fall out when you open the P-trap.
Unscrew the connectors on the trap that hold the curved piece to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. There should be a slip nut on either end of the P-trap.
Remove the P-trap and clean the pipe of all debris, grime and residue.
Reconnect the trap.
Turn on the faucet to run water down the drain.
If the drainage situation is still not up to par, the clog may be farther up the pipe. Back under the sink you go to find the source of the blockage. Here's what to do when you get there:
Repeat the steps to remove the P-trap.
Remove the horizontal pipe that connects the system to the wall.
Feed a plumber's snake, auger or coat hanger into the wall pipe. When you feel an obstruction, use your tool to pull the blockage out from the pipe.
Repeat the process until you remove all debris.
Reassemble the pipes and P-trap, tightening the connectors by hand. (Pro tip from Home Depot: Do not over-tighten, as this may cause the connectors to crack.)
Run hot water to flush the drain.
Before you celebrate your handiwork, check under the sink while the water's running to make sure there isn't any leaking from the pipes. If you do notice leaks, make sure all the connectors are tightened. Once you're free from the drips, dry any water spillage from under the sink or on the floor and you're good to go.
If you've made it to this point and your sink still isn't draining, there could be a larger issue at play. It's time to give in and schedule an appointment with a plumber for a professional fix.
