How to Unclog a Drain in 3 Easy Steps

How to Unclog a Drain in 3 Easy Steps All sinks will eventually clog. Here’s what to do when it happens to you.Popular Mechanics  Joseph Truini Read when you’ve got time to spare. Want to Listen to this article? Sign inPopular MechanicsMore from Popular Mechanics  How to Successfully Paint Any Wall in Your House The Secret History of Washing Machines How to Free Up Space on Your Apple Watch Water pouring down a drain Christof Koepsel//Getty Images One certainty of homeownership is that, sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with a clogged sink. Some clogs build up slowly over time, while others occur suddenly when a foreign object falls down the drain. The good news is that you can clear most common sink clogs without calling a plumber. Just follow this three-prong approach to learn how to unclog a drain.Step 1: Start with a Plunger The lowly plunger is an amazingly effective clog-busting tool, but to ensure that its plunging power is delivered directly to the clog, it’s important to cover any exposed air holes in the sink. When plunging a bathroom sink, use your thumb to cover the overflow hole on the side of the sink. And for a two-basin kitchen sink, cover one of the sink drains with a damp cloth as you plunge the other drain hole. Failing to cover these holes greatly diminishes the air pressure of the plunger. Before you start plunging, fill the drainpipe with water and put on goggles. Also, never plunge a sink that had chemical cleaner poured down the drain. The chemicals could splash out and burn you (I don’t recommend ever using chemical cleaners to clear clogs; they’re slow-working at best and can damage pipes). Press the rubber cup of the plunger down tightly over the drain hole. Then, pump the handle up and down a few times, but don’t break the seal with the drain. After three or four pressure pumps, quickly yank the plunger off the sink drain. Refill the drainpipe with water and repeat. It may take a few tries, but the clog will usually break up and flow down the drain.Step 2: Disconnect the Trap If plunging doesn’t dislodge the clog, you’ll have to remove the trap from beneath the sink. The trap is a U- or P-shaped pipe that’s located directly beneath the sink’s vertical drainpipe. Place a small bowl under the trap to catch any water. Loosen the two compression fittings that hold the trap to the drainpipe. If it’s a plastic trap, you can usually twist off the fittings by hand. If that’s not possible, or if it’s a metal trap, loosen the compression fittings with pliers or a pipe wrench. Once the trap is free, pour out any remaining water into the bowl. Now, push a thick rag through the trap to wipe out any stuck-on sludge or debris. Be sure the trap is completely clean before replacing it. If you discover that the trap was not clogged, then don’t replace it and move onto Step 3.Step 3: When All Else Fails, Snake Out the Drainpipe If the clog remains after plunging and cleaning the trap, then buy or rent a drain-cleaning tool called a hand auger (plumber’s snake). The auger consists of a 25- to 50-foot-long flexible steel cable that’s wound up inside a metal drum. On the back of the drum is a crank handle. To use the auger, pull out a couple of feet of cable and feed it into the drainpipe inside the wall. Lock the cable in place by tightening the retaining thumbscrew. Slowly turn the hand crank as you force the cable down the drainpipe. Stop, pull out more cable from the drum, and repeat. Continue until you feel resistance inside the pipe. Turn the crank and work the cable back and forth until it breaks through the clog. Then, reassemble the trap and drainpipe. Once the clog has been cleared, sprinkle baking soda down the sink drain, followed by a pot of boiling water. Wait until the baking soda stops fizzing, then turn on the hot-water faucet to flush out the drainpipe. Repeat this baking soda treatment once a month to reduce the chance of another clog. Joe is a former carpenter and cabinetmaker who writes extensively about remodeling, woodworking, and tool techniques. He has written eight books and is a contributing editor to Popular Mechanics. He also appears on the Today’s Homeowner TV show, and co-hosts the weekly Today’s Homeowner Radio Show. Joe writes from his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.