Unclogging Sink Drain Trap

It may be necessary to clean your kitchen drain s p trap to clear the clog.

Unclogging sink drain trap.

If you can remove debris from the trap reconnect it then run water into the sink. Remember to remove as much water from the sink as possible before you remove the trap. This makes a p trap the number one location of clogs in the sewer system. Occasional clogs in the sink tub or shower drains are a fact of life they are usually caused by localized clogs in the drain trap or branch drain for a single fixture.

Dirty water will flow out. Begin by sponging the water from the sink to reduce the flow under the sink when you pull off the trap. If the sink does not drain the clog may rest farther up the pipe. Removing the trap may be the easiest way to loosen the jam.

We show plastic drain lines but many older kitchen sinks have metal traps and pipes. Here s a method that uses natural household solvents to open up a clogged drain. Then place a bucket under the trap to catch any remaining water. When you hear the suction clear the clog remove the plunger and flush the drain well with warm water.

My first line of defense for unclogging a stopped up drain is to check the p trap the elbow shaped pipe under the sink. Unfortunately the trap s water trapping ability extends to hair grease debris and soap scum. The p trap is at the curve of the drainpipe under the sink usually inside a. However if you have several fixtures that are draining slowly or not draining at all the problem may be in the main drain or sewer line in your home.

If the clog remains after your work on the drain trap then the problem is deeper in the drain system and you ll need to use a drain snake or call a plumber. Keep your pan or bucket underneath. Pour 1 4 cup of baking soda into your. This may take time but it will eventually clear.

If you can t unclog the drain using one of the steps above then it s time to take off the trap and waste arm and feed the drain snake directly into the drainpipe. Boling water can be effective at unclogging a sink in your bathroom. Place the stopper in the sink and fill it with water. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge vigorously several times.

Unscrew the connectors on the pvc pipe that holds the p trap the curved piece of pipe to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe. Most clogs ultimately get cleared with a proper plunging but you can. Allow your sink to drain completely. Be sure to put a bucket under the pipe before removing it.

If the p trap becomes only slightly clogged then you experience slow drainage in the. The majority of sink clogs occur in the curved drain trap beneath the sink the pipe is usually shaped like a p s or j. Release the stopper and watch beneath the sink to verify that the drain joints are not leaking. Check the drain trap for clogs.