Draining a sink?

Moe Mernick
by Moe Mernick
Dear Hometalkers,
My sink is clogged... Do you have any ideas how I can clear it up, without using Drano?
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Moe
  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 09, 2017

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/-24007102

  • Donna Bagley Donna Bagley on Feb 09, 2017

    Try baking soda and vinegar

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Feb 09, 2017

    Try a toilet plunger.

    • See 1 previous
    • Stacy Davis Stacy Davis on Feb 12, 2017

      Yes, I have one from the dollar store and it is smaller than a regular plunger. It is perfect for sinks. And my small dollar store plunger is only used in sinks. I actually hide it so only I know where it is.  I have also heard of Alka Seltzer... that the fizzing breaks up the clog and follow up with boiling water.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Feb 09, 2017

    I've had the same problem- what works for me is: pour a few cups of boiled water down the drain, then pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda , then a cup of vinegar. After ten minutes, pour a few more cups of vinegar. Sometimes, your sink will be too clogged for the boiled water to drain, in that case- use less water and pour the vinegar/baking soda even if it doesn't go directly in the drain. Once all of that drains, repeat from the beginning one more time.

    • See 2 previous
    • Nancy Wilson Nancy Wilson on Feb 12, 2017

      Vinegar and baking soda is amazing. Not only does it release clogs, it cleans your pots and pans, the stove, the refrigerator (a solution and wipe it down), your bathroom.....and the best thing....it's so cheap! If this doesn't work (oh...and mildew too!) either call in the plumber or take the drain apart yourself because something is probably stuck in there!


  • Cathie Mars Cathie Mars on Feb 11, 2017

    Have you tried the pluming snake? Also if you have spot on the side of house that is a drain plug, you can open that up to snake it that way, not just down the sink.

  • Julie Julie on Feb 12, 2017

    Use liquid Cascade, pour down drain followed by boiling water. Let set. I had to do this a couple of times but now I don't have any drain issues and it's easier than snaking and alot less smelly.

  • Cl.ebbing66 Cl.ebbing66 on Feb 13, 2017

    I see your in Canada....are you sure it's clogged....it might be frozen. Back in 1977, in Indiana, we had this horrible winter, everything was frozen and covered in snow, 10-12". Then the sink started running slow....slower....till nothing went down. Put everything down the drain to get it to go but , nothing. I even plunged it, thought it said not to. Nothing still. Then I moved to Ohio! LOL!

    Looking back the heat tape could of quit working. It was an old Victorian house and drafty, on the top of a hill, out in the boon docks! Ohio was cold to but at least you could see lights which meant civilization. Hope you get your pipes working!