How to Clear a Clogged Sink Drain (Without Chemicals)

Single Girl's DIY
by Single Girl's DIY
2 Materials
30 Minutes
Easy
If your sink drain is backing up, try these simple steps to clean out the trap before you shell out money for a plumber (or a liquid plumber).

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Clear out everything from under your sink. This makes room for you to work, and also ensures nothing will get damaged by water.


Place a bucket, or your empty trash can, under the pipes and you're ready to go.
Loosen the fittings at both ends of the P-trap.
You should be able to get them off by hand, but there is a chance you'll need to use a pipe wrench if you can't get them off. Just be careful not to crack or torque your pipes if you use a wrench.
When you remove the pipe, it will be full of water. Dump the water into your bucket, and manually clean out the gunk.


If you've ever lost anything like an earring or a toothpaste cap down the drain, you'll probably find it in here.
Reach up inside the pipes under the sink, and clean the gunk out of those, too.
That's it! Screw the P-trap back back in place. Hand tighten the fittings so they're water-tight, but not so tight you won't be able to take them off again next time.


Leave the bucket it place!
Turn your faucet on high, and run water through your sink. Carefully check all of the pipes underneath for leaks, and tighten any fittings that need it.


Once you're sure everything is dry, and the water is flowing freely, you can remove the bucket and put everything back under your sink.


You have now successfully cleaned out a sink drain! Congratulations. I knew you could do it.


For more encouragement and advice, be sure to head over to the full post at the link below. You can download a free copy of our popular beginner's DIY Guide!
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