Before You Call a Plumber to Unclog Your Sink Read This

Whether you have a basic single bowl sink or high end Kohler sinks they all have one thing in common: they can get clogged. If this happens act right away because the sooner the better. Most clogs can be cleared easily if you have the right tools. If all else fails, call a plumber.

TOOLS

One tool to have in your home is a basic plunger. A plunger can be purchased at your local hardware store for about $5 to $10. This is usually all you need to clear a clog. For clogs farther down the drainpipe you may need a cable auger or plumber’s snake.  You may have heard this called a "toilet jack" or "electric eel". It is a flexible auger used to remove clogs in plumbing that cannot be cleared with a plunger.

Most augers consist of a coiled metal wire with space between the coils at one end. The other end is attached to a device with a crank that rotates the wire as it moves down into the pipe. Drains are cleared by one of the following ways:

• The auger end of the wire digs itself into the clog much like a corkscrew. This allows retrieval of the object causing the clog when the snake is pulled out. ( hair, combs, small toys, cloth.)
• The end of the snake breaks up the object allowing it to pass through the drain. ( tree roots, foam insulation, plastic objects.)
• The snake flails around the inside surface of the pipe scraping off accumulated matter (ranging from mineral deposits to bacon fat) which was reducing the effective interior diameter of the drain pipe.

For large clogs or one that is farther from the drain rent an electric power auger. You will pay between $15 and $30/day. It is like a cable auger but is powered by an electric motor. This will cut through almost any clog. Be sure the rental agent shows you how to safely dispense and retrieve the cable.

Most sinks can be unclogged with a simple plunger. Fill the sink halfway then begin to plunge. Push the plunger up and down several times then quickly pull it off the drain opening. If you are unclogging a double bowl sink stuff a wet rag into one of the drain opening while plunging the other. If it is a bath sink stuff a wet rag into the overflow hole. The rag will help deliver pressure directly to the clog 

You’ve tried plunging but it isn’t working. It is time to grab the cable auger. This work will occur under the sink. In order to catch spilled water you need to place a bucket under the trap. Remove the sink trap with a pipe wrench. The large, threaded coupling on PVC plastic traps can often be unscrewed by hand. Look to see if the trap is clogged. Then remove the horizontal trap arm from the back wall.

Feed the cable into the drainpipe until you feel resistance. Pull out 18 inches of cable and then tighten the lock screw. Crank the handle in a clockwise direction and push forward at the same time to drive the cable farther into the pipe. If the blockage has not broken then pull out another 18 inches of cable. Repeat the process until the blockage is clear.   If the cable bogs down or catches on something, turn the crank counterclockwise and pull back on the auger. Once the cable is clear again you may crank and push forward again.

 Once you believe that the clog has been cleared retrieve the cable and replace the trap arm and trap. Check to see if the sink drains properly by turning on the hot water faucet. Sometimes the sink may not drain correctly. Do not worry.  Debris from the busted-up clog sometimes settles into a loose blockage. Plunge again by partially filling up the sink with hot water and use the plunger to clear the debris. Follow up with more hot water.

This is usually all you need to do to clear your sink of a clog. If for some reason the clog is still not cleared it is best to call a plumber to take it from there. Today's more modern sinks like Kohler kitchen sinks should make it easier for you to work with. 

Check out the full range of modern sinks, like Kohler bathroom sinks,which are a lot easier to work with in case of a blockage.