How to Unstop a Sink Drain
- 1). Locate the "S" or "P" trap under the sink. Named because of its shape, it's a 1 1/4- or 1 1/2-inch diameter drain pipe, made from either PVC or metal. It runs from underneath the sink down into the wall or floor.
- 2
Collect water spills in a bucket placed under the drain.bucket image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com
Place a bucket under the drain. Loosen all the nuts on the trap by hand; collect the water in the bucket as it spills out. Undo the nuts completely and take the drain apart. You may need the help of an adjustable wrench when you loosen metal nuts. - 3). Remove any hair, sludge, soap scum or other obstructions from the inside of the drain, pulling them out with your fingers.
- 4
The most likely place for a clog is in the plunger mechanism.old ugly sink image by Tomasz Stelmach from Fotolia.com
Dismantle the sink plunger mechanism by unscrewing the nut that attaches the linkage to the plunger arm at the back drain. Take the plunger out of the sink and clean any debris from it. This is the most likely place for a blockage. - 5). Place the plunger back in the sink and reattach the linkage, tightening the nut by hand. Reassemble the drain pipe and tighten the nuts by hand. Use an adjustable wrench on metal nuts, but don't overtighten them. Turn the faucet on and check for leaks and further blockages.
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