It is always unpleasant to discover a clogged drain. Fortunately, there are several methods available you can try before needing to pick up the phone and contacting your local plumber.
The first thing to try is running very hot water down your drain for about 5-10 minutes. Sometimes, this is all you need to break up whatever is clogging your sink. Watch the sink, if it is filling up quickly and not going down at all, then turn off the water and try a different method.
If running hot water did not work and you now have a sink filled with water, you can take a plunger to your sink. If you do not have one, quickly run down to your local hardware store and purchase one. They are only around $ 3- $ 5. Be sure to pick out one that has a wooden handle and is made out of rubber, anything else will be ineffective. While your at the store, you may want to also purchase a bottle of Draino.
If the plunger did not unclog the sink, then your clogged drain may be caused by material in the sink trap. The sink trap is the curvy pipe that is underneath your sink. If your hesitant to open up the sink trap, you can try using the Draino. Be sure to follow the directions carefully. There is a good chance this will work. If it does not … then you are going to need to open up the sink trap to remove the blockage.
Okay, to clean out the sink trap:
1. Put a bucket underneath the sink trap to catch the water that is in your clogged sink. If the sink is very full, you may want to remove some of it with the bucket first.
2. Take a Phillips screwdiver and unscrew all the screws that hold the kitchen trap in place.
3. Now, take ahold of the pipe and slowly and carefully pull it down so you can remove the trap.
4. With a bottle brush, clean out the inside of the pipe and remove all debris. This will help to reduce build up in the future.
5. Next, wrap silicone tape, which is also called plumbers tape around the pipe threads.
6. When you put the trap back in place, be sure to tighten the screws up securely to keep it from popping out the next time your turn on the water.
7. Run hot water through the pipes to flush out any excess grime and dirt, then test out your sink.
If you followed the above directions, you will no longer have a clogged drain.