How to Clear a Clogged Sink or Tub

Clogs usually build slowly, so if you act fast you'll find the clog just inches away. If you let it build up, however, you might need a plumber to clear whatever is clogging your pipes and keeping the water from draining.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Bottle Brush
  • Plunger
  • Rag
  • Old Toothbrush Or Soft Wire Brush
  • Dishpan
  • Large Cooking Pot
  • Heatproof Grease
  • Hand Auger
  • Replacement Trap
  • Channel-type Pliers
  • Screwdriver

Clearing a tub clog

Step1
Take out the screws that secure the drain assembly's cover plate and lift out the assembly. Remove any hair clogs and clean the mechanism with an old toothbrush or a soft wire brush, then lubricate it with heatproof grease.
Step2
If the clog is in the drain line, use a hand auger, which is better than a plunger because it pulls the clog out rather than pushing it down the drain. Push the cable into the overflow drain's opening, past the bend at the top of the pipe, until you feel soft resistance. Then screw the auger into the clog and try to pull it out.
Step3
If you must use a plunger, plug the overflow opening with a wet rag so the force of the plunger is directed at the clog. Put some water in the tub and plunge away. Flush the cleared line with boiling water.

Clearing a sink clog

Step1
Place a dishpan under the trap to catch spilled water. If the trap is the removable type, loosen the two couplings with channeltype pliers (see A). Slide the trap off, dumping the water into the dishpan. Clean it with a bottle brush (see B).
Step2
If the trap is welded or glued and has a clean-out plug at the bottom, remove the plug with pliers and pull out the clog.
Step3
If a nonremovable trap doesn't have clean-outs, insert an auger through the drain and draw out the clog. To access the drain, remove the stopper. Lift it out, or turn it 90 degrees and then lift. With other models, remove the drain stopper's pivot rod, which screws into the back of the tailpipe drain just below the sink.
Step4
If the clog appears to extend into the drain line, insert the auger into the drain line or trap clean-out. Push it past any pipe bends until you feel soft resistance. Screw the auger into the clog and keep turning as you pull it out.
Step5
Flush the line with boiling water.

Using a plunger

Step1
To plunge a sink, remove the stopper as directed in step 3, above.
Step2
If the sink has an overflow opening, stuff a wet rag into the opening so the force of the plunger is directed at the clog.
Step3
Position the plunger over the opening. Add a few inches of water, then plunge up and down vigorously, but with short strokes so you maintain contact with the basin.
Step4
To plunge a shower drain, remove the strainer and any visible clogs. Then cover the opening, add water and plug as for a sink.
Step5
To clear a tub clog, lift out the stopper, if there is one, and stuff a wet rag into the overflow opening in the bottom of the drain assembly's cover plate. Then position the plunger, add water and plunge as described in step 3.

Source: Ehow.com

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