how to unclog a sink with hair

The reaction will only be effective against the blockage if it comes into direct contact with it. Clean the cable as you remove it. If the blockage is further down the line, a drain spring or a wire coat hanger can be quite useful. Have you tried a plunger? Make sure there is plenty of ventilation and avoid splashes. If your sink begins to back up and fill with water, turn the water off and let it drain before attempting to unclog the sink again. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. *Warning: Never put your hand down in a garbage disposal as it can result in loss of limb. If possible, flush the sink out with at least 4 cups (1 L) of water. If you have a house with a septic tank these chemicals can be bad for the enzymes in your septic tank system as well. It’s a good idea to know how to use a plumbers snake before you attempt this. There are a variety of reasons. See how to unclog a sink drain with baking soda and vinegar. Here are the best ways to unclog a kitchen sink, and the order in which you should try them so you can unclog the sink on your own without calling a plumber. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. But luckily the fix is usually simple and takes only about 15 minutes. But my main problem in the bathroom sink & shower is a mold build up. To fix this is pretty straightforward. *Do not try this with PVC pipes as it could damage the plastic in the pipes. I bought this unclog drain tool a couple of years ago and it is awesome! Caustic drain cleaners rely on chemical reactions caused by hydroxide ions. Once you have removed the debris make sure to clean the drain snake thoroughly otherwise it may not work for you next time. Run some warm water down the drain to make sure it is flowing properly. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour the boiling water into the drain (unless it’s PVC piping then use hot water from the tap). Frequently Asked Questions about how to unclog a sink The chemical reaction produced should be enough to clear most moderately clogged sinks. Run hot tap water from your sink and into the drain for a couple of minutes. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Slide the nuts away from the connections and carefully slip off the trap. Sulfuric acid will melt the plastic washers on kitchen and bathroom sinks. Less is indeed more in certain instances, such as sink plunging efforts. Don’t forget to remove the stopper so you can start cleaning your sink drain to pull the blockage out. I unclog drains in my house quite often. Lift up to see if the water drains. If you are working on a bathtub, apply duct tape over the overflow opening at the front of the tub. When it comes time to tackle a clogged kitchen sink it’s important that you have the right tools. If I have used caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) twice to clear a kitchen drain and the waste water flow is still very slow, how long should I wait before using something like sulphuric acid? Replace the stopper to seal the opening (do this for the other sink too if you have a double sink). Standing water in your bathtub? Having the wrong tools can cause frustration and even damage your plumbing, so it’s good to make sure you have everything you need before you begin. Note that this works best on minor clogs and may not prove as effective against heavy clogs. This method can dissolve any of the build up that might be in your pipes. If this doesn’t work, move on to the next step. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Bleach kills bacteria living in the tank, but the bacteria it kills eats solid waste, thereby preventing the lines from clogging. You can buy them at any hardware store or on Amazon. For really stubborn sinks, combine 1 part baking soda and 1 part vinegar in a glass and pour it down the drain, or use any commercial drain-unclogging product. The reaction is vigorous with cold water. You may need to plunge the sink for several minutes in order to loosen the blockage. Is your bathroom sink draining slowly? Having a clogged drain pipe deep in a wall means you will need to use a drain snake. Cover again and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. There may be grease, soap and debris build up blocking the pipe. Even a wire hanger can come to the rescue when you open and bend it to use it as a claw. Once you hit a blockage, continue cranking until you feel the tip of the snake cable break through to the other side. You may need to follow the first step to … What can I do/use to get rid of the mold buildup in the drains? Turn your sink on and let water rush into the drain. Carefully pour the boiling water into the drain. Flush the drain with hot water to flush out any items that didn’t get pulled out but were loosened in the process. Remove the kitchen drain stopper and see if there are any visible food scraps. By using our site, you agree to our. If grease does go down the sink drain, run hot tap water or even boiling water immediately (as long as it’s not PVC pipe) for a length of time so that it doesn’t stick on the side of the pipe or settle in the drain trap. How to Unclog a Drain Step 1. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes without touching it. Remove the P-trap and any pipes that connect to the drain stub-out at the wall. [1] X Research source If you suspect that your sink is clogged with hair or other solid masses, you might be able to fish it out with an old, bent wire hanger. If water is added to caustic soda, an exothermic reaction will cause the solution to possibly boil and splash on you, causing serious chemical and thermal burns. Kids with long hair. It will either break up or the screw will grab it. Let it run up to 5 minutes. This is considered as a common problem if your bathtub drain uses a screw in order to hold itself on. You can use any of these methods for any kind of sink! Cover the hole with a piece of duct tape or stuff it with a damp rag. If the water is draining slowly keep reading. Before doing anything else it’s always a good idea to give this a try as it works fairly often. Check to make sure water drains. If this happens and there’s no water going down roll up your sleeve take your index finger and spin it clockwise ( or counterclockwise if you are in the southern hemisphere) to create a whirlpool this will move around the food that is blocking the drain and may fix your drain clogged. If your skin still tingles or burns after cleaning it, immediately seek medical help. Place a towel underneath the sink for any splashing that might happen. This site to be for entertainment purposes only. Baking soda and white vinegar Unscrew the drain cover and remove the sink stopper. Place a plunger over the other drain, holding it fairly upright. Clean your sink weekly with a bathroom cleaner. Maintenance to Prevent Clogged Drains Add the caustic soda to the water, never the other way around! Pour a pot of boiling water over the drain. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. These drains can become clogged within just a few weeks when dirt, food, hair and soap scum collect as they rinse down the drain. Can I unclog a washing machine pipe in the same way as a sink? If any slip nut washers show notable signs of wear, replace them. We usually associate plungers with toilets but they can actually be used on any type of drain, whether you’re trying to figure out how to unclog a bathtub or a sink. Acid cleaners tend to be harsher than caustic drain cleaners. Throw it away in the trash can. If this didn’t work, or there was nothing in the trap, the blockage is likely further down the drain pipe and it needs to be cleaned out. A baking soda mixture offers a way to unclog a sink naturally, as it proves gentler on your pipes compared to chemical drain openers. If you dislodge the block the water will begin to drain. Turn it back on again, press the reset button (it may have been tripped when it wasn’t turning) and will need to replace the unit or have it repaired. Perform a reboot on it and see if it works. Once you feel you have successfully locked onto the obstruction, loosen the lock screw and slowly begin to pull the snake back up. While some of these are likely obvious, others may not be so evident. Why do I need to only use cold water with caustic soda? There is a bend in the pipe coming down from the drain and on occasion food and other items can gather there and not flow through. Good luck! I am not a financial advisor, banker, money manager or anything else of that sort. Use a spoon to make sure it gets down the drain or pour it into a funnel for better delivery. You you’ve done a a great job and tried your best, but some things are meant for professionals and it’s time to call in a plumber. This video will take you through our step-by-step process on how to unclog your sink. Dilute 3 cups (750 ml) of caustic soda with 3/4 gallon (3 L) of cold water in a large mop bucket. Caustic soda can be purchased at most hardware stores. … Remove the excess water in the sink using a bowl. Make sure the sink has 3 to 4 inches, or about 7.6 to 10.2 cm, of water so the plunger can create a good seal. Carefully pour or spoon the combination down the sink drain. Pour the boiling water directly down the drain, rather than pouring it into the sink first and letting it gradually flow to the drain. You’ve got this homeowner! by Andrew | Cleaning, How To's, Repairs and Maintenance. If the p-trap isn’t the issue you will need go further into the pipe as it runs into the wall. Now allow it to settle for thirty minutes. Here are the best ways to unclog a kitchen sink, and the order in which you should try them so you can unclog the sink on your own without calling a plumber. How to remove standing water in a sink quickly, How to unclog a kitchen sink: check the garbage disposal, How to unclog a kitchen sink with vinegar and baking soda, How to unclog a kitchen sink with standing water using a plunger, How to use a plumber’s snake to unclog a kitchen sink, Snaking the drain line pipe to unclog the kitchen sink, This is a good one because the size of mouth will fit over most drains and can lay flat on the sink, Stickers (usually they are on the produce you bring home). Pull the auger free then reassemble the sink. This fizzing action will act on the blockage made up mostly of hair, grime, and gunk to help you remove it. The best DIY solution for cleaning sink and shower drains is to use the classic mixture of baking soda and vinegar. If this doesn’t fix your draining issue move onto the next step. Remove the stopper to get access to the pipes. Carefully rinse the trap with hot water. Great caution is advised. Never flush your hair down the drain! Use slip joint pliers to loosen the slip nuts on the trap and unscrew the nuts by hand. Hot water will cause excessive fumes and heat and is unnecessary. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Once the water is boiling pour the water down the drain of your sink. All I do is stick this down in the drain and pull out all the hair. Sink drain gather hair, dirt, dust, bacteria and dangerous molds. All the hair that goes down can wrap around the stainer and trap soap scum making the stoppers and strainers a trouble hotspot in the bathroom sink. This can take some time. Do not use bleach if you use a septic tank. This post may contain affiliate links which go towards keeping this site running. Bend one end slightly to create a small hook capable of fitting into your sink drain. Unblock sink hairs with a magic tool Rid bathroom drains of pesky hair with the ingenious Drain Weasel tool, which snags and removes hair. That means it is time to bring in a professional. This article has been viewed 441,777 times. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Deodorize the sink with a lemon juice rinse. There are specific sink plungers you can use which are smaller than a. It shouldn’t happen too often, but when it does, be sure to use this natural formula to remove all the gunk–believe me, you don’t want a list of what that “gunk” actually is–and get that drain in tip top shape. Once a month, flush kitchen drains with salt and boiling water. If you have a stubborn clog in your drain, using a plumber’s snake can help you. Unscrew the connector to the P-trap. Be sure to clean the plunger before using it on the sink, though, or purchase a new plunger for use in the sink. Simply mix 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of vinegar in a measuring cup. Tighten the setscrew. Slide the wire hanger down, hook-side first, into the drain. If this doesn’t work, move onto the next method for unclogging a sink drain. How to Unclog a Sink from Grease : Bottom Line Let the baking soda and salt sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Fill the other side of the sink with 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) of water. Store it in a plastic bucket designed for holding a plunger (you can find them in hardware stores or online), and store that near the toilet or in a closet. That way, when you finish shaving, you can take the hairs with your hands preventing them from falling down the drain. Can I use caustic soda to unclog a stainless steel sink? This article has been viewed 441,777 times. The things you will need are: Sometimes your sink will have a bunch of food trimmings clogging the drain. That's for tubs and showers only. Fill the sink with a few inches of water. Do not use any container or utensil you plan to use for food later on. Pull out 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) of snake cable. Using this home remedy method to unclog your sink is easy. If you receive serious injuries while doing this, seek immediately emergency medical help. Run the disposal and see if it is running correctly. This may take time, but it will eventually clear. Repeat as needed until you no longer feel any blockage and restore your piping to its usual state. The second a sink gets clogged you’re going to have a big problem on your hands. It’s a good idea to know how your kitchen sink can get clogged. Also clean the trap out by scrubbing with the same wire brush. Replace all of the parts (trap arm, p-trap ) and run warm water through it. A wire hanger can save on money but can take more time. Straighten out a wire clothes hanger as much as possible. If nothing is coming out of the sink, apply a little more force to see if anything can be dislodged. Scared of messing up your first relationship? Use a small wire brush to scrap out any debris from the trap, emptying it into the bucket below. Vinegar is a natural cleaning and disinfecting element that can be used to clean nearly any area of the home, including bathtub and sink drains. [1] X Research source Cover the drain opening completely with the plunger. Fill a kettle with water and set it to boil. If this made some progress you can try it again. The next place you want to check is the garbage disposal if you have one. Try a plunger. Let it sit for a few minutes. A wire coat hanger may do, but more than likely it won’t reach so you will need a drain snake to do the job. Next unscrew the trap arm and inspect it for any obstructions and remove them. If this works you will want to put another half cup of baking soda and half cup of vinegar through to remove any residue you didn’t get. Pour the ½ … You may have a stubborn clog and a second treatment could do the trick. You may have to look for some shower declogger (chemicals). Listen to see if you hear a low humming sound. We may receive a referral fee if you sign up through the referral links on this site. Pouring 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of vinegar down a drain will cause a fizzing reaction, like a science experiment, that unclogs drains. Pour 1 cup (250 ml) of undiluted bleach directly down the sink drain. How to unclog a bathroom sink drain. Once you feel resistance, twist and maneuver the hanger in an attempt to hook the blockage. If none of the tips help you unclog your bathroom sink, then it is more than just a simple tangle of hair and soap scum. Get as much into the drain as possible, and avoid getting too much excess on the basin of the sink. Plunger. Slow-moving or stopped-up drains are common in bathroom sinks. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 441,777 times. Thread the tip of the snake into the drain stub-out. You may want to use another sink, since you just removed a portion of the drain pipe for the sink you are currently working on. Carefully pour the solution directly into the clogged sink drain. Doing so will minimize the risk of pushing the blockage further down. It’s best if you are going to use a cleaner that is biodegradable. This page may contain affiliate links. The tension in the cable will be reduced dramatically after it breaks through. Straighten out a wire clothes hanger as much as possible. Which methods are best suited for de-clogging a shower drain stuffed with hair? Plug up the sink drain as quickly as possible after adding the water to force the reaction down into the pipes rather than up and out. Clean your sink after use. Use more if your kettle will hold it. Baking Soda and Vinegar This is an old method of unclogging drains that has proven to be very effective in bathroom sinks. Doing so forces the fizzy reaction down through the pipes, where the blockage is, rather than up and out. If this doesn’t work move on to the next method. Can you I sodium hydroxide after using vinegar to unclog a drain? Clean the snake as you pull it back in as it will likely be covered in gunk. You will need to do this so that the plunger can get proper suction on the drain. Inspect the P-trap and remove any obstruction and gunk that may be stuck in it. The most common ones are build-up in the pipes that can be caused by grease, coffee grounds, food scraps, soap scum residue and even hair. They take longer to work but they are more gentle on your pipes, and better for the environment as well. This is really important for bathroom drains. At the same time, follow the baking soda with one cup of vinegar down the sink or drain. Follow the baking soda with 1/2 cup (125 ml) white distilled vinegar. Your next step will be to use a plunger to try to push out and move any clog in your sink. Make the water as hot and rapid as possible, but if the sink starts to back up, turn the water off. You cannot avoid hair and soap residues. Rubber Plunger. However, to prevent shower drain clogs from hair using a shower strainer over the drain or install suction cups to block hair strands. If any of these chemicals splash onto your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water. Install hair filters. Do not stir the water and caustic soda together with your hands. Be mindful that you are holding scalding hot water and that any splash back could burn you. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. If you can’t get any water down the drain because the sink is clogged so badly no water is getting through it’s time to use some force. The second a sink gets clogged you’re going to have a big problem on your hands. Measure out a ½ cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar. This should create quite a fizz and must be poured down the drain immediately. Hair: This is one of the most common causes of bathroom drain clog. If this is the case you can unplug it, and try to turn the blades manually underneath it using an Allen wrench. Try using the wire coat hanger method, or/and a plunger. If you have a double sink seal off the second sink with a wet cloth or stopper. So try to put hair in the trash can. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Boil 1 to 4 quarts (1 to 4 L) of water in a kettle or saucepan. There is an art to using a plumber’s snake and you want to make sure you aren’t just pushing the blockage further down the pipe. If the clog is in a bathroom sink, remove the drain stopper. For the best results, put a strip of duct tape on top of the overflow drain at the top of the sink or bathtub. Repeat this process until you have removed the debris. Ensure you have a tight seal and make sure that you are pushing water through the drain and not air. Enzymatic cleaners are the least potent and rely on bacterial enzymes to eat away organic blockages. Insert the drain snake as far down into the drain as possible. Place a large bucket below the trap. These caustic chemicals can often do damage to your pipes and plumbing system. This can cause your kitchen sink to become clog because water can’t move through it fast enough. Once the main techniques to unclog a sink are done, I would like to expand the information with a series of tips to prevent clogged sink drains: Hair is a huge cause of the sink clogged. Manual removal works well if you have large clumps of debris jamming up your pipes, but you can also create natural drain cleaners or use chemical cleaners to help rid your sink pipes of unwanted material. Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain. Read the label carefully to determine which cleaner is right for your particular type of blockage. The plunger can unclog your sink just as easily as it can unclog your toilet. The velcro should catch all the hair and other things that are clogging the drain. Then wash the drainpipe with hot water, letting it run for at least two minutes. Pour the boiling water into the sink to flush out any remaining vinegar and baking soda. This will be on tight you will need a pair of pliers. Pour 1/2 cup (125 ml) baking soda down the sink drain. For more serious clogs, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a popular, more natural septic safe drain cleaner. Screw the snake through the clog in the all and pull it out the same way we described earlier. Insert the plumbers snake into the drain. References. Any initial resistance you feel is likely caused by turns and corners the snake must make. Here’s how to unclog your bathtub drain. Mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a cup. Here’re the steps to unclog a drain clogged with hair and other dirt. Test the drain by running warm water down it to see if the water is draining properly. Place the base of the plunger over the drain, then push-and-pull the handle for about 15 seconds. How to Unclog a Sink. Pull the wire back up to remove as much of the blockage as possible. Here’s how to clean out a blockage in the wall from your sink. Pour one cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. Here are the steps to unclog a kitchen sink using a plumber’s snake: The drain trap, or p-trap, is the elbow under the sink. Unclogging a bathroom sink? Using a plunger is a classic and proven way to unclog your partially or completely clogged drain without using any chemicals. Wear rubber gloves and eye goggles when using heavy-duty chemicals, especially caustic soda and drain cleaner. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Reattach the trap to the rest of the piping. Water, salt, baking soda and vinegar are the four products more common to unclog the drains in your house. If you do not have a kettle, you can boil the water in a saucepan or electric hot pot. Secondly, wear gloves and use your hands to pick up the stuck leftovers from the sink and dispose of them properly in a dustbin. Carefully remove and discard the wand, saving the main part for next time. The water and caustic soda should begin to "fizz" and heat up as you mix the two together. This is how to go about it; Start by measuring one cup of baking soda and pour it down the sink or drain. If you have a double sink, plug the drain you aren't plunging so you get full suction. Make sure the overflow hole is covered with a wet rag. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Unclog-a-Sink-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Unclog-a-Sink-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Unclog-a-Sink-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid2809859-v4-728px-Unclog-a-Sink-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"