How to Unblock a Clogged Sink

This image shows a stainless steel double kitchen sink, with water running from the faucet into the left basin while the right basin remains empty with a visible drain.

How to Unblock a Clogged Sink

A clogged sink can sneak up on you. At first, it may seem as though the drain is working just fine: You run water and it goes down the drain, quick and clean. Over time, however, the water’s descent down the drain can slow, gradually, until it’s lingering in the basin for several minutes before finally trickling away. The more clogged your sink becomes, the more frustrating it can be—and eventually you’re going to reach a point where you need to do some work on it.

But how? What are the best measures to take when it comes to unblocking a clogged sink? There are four steps to take, and we’re going to lay them out in order for you.

Always begin with a trusty plunger. You’ve surely used one before, on a toilet if not your sink, but the truth is a plunger should always be your first line of offense against a clogged drain. Before plunging, fill the sink maybe a quarter of the way with water. If you have a double sink, cover the other drain with a towel or washcloth.
If this does not work, you will need to move on to the next thing: Baking soda and vinegar! Yes, this is just like your middle school science experiment. Start by emptying any lingering water from your sink—you may have to scoop it into a bucket—and put half a cup or so of baking soda down your drain. Pour a cup of vinegar down after it, and immediately close the plunger to keep the mixture from erupting back out. This will send it shooting down the other end of the drain, hopefully forcing out the clog.
If neither of these first two steps work, you can always try a cable auger. This is, frankly, the toughest method, and it’s not recommended that you try this unless you are a seasoned handyman or you have some plumbing experience.
What’s important to note is that, if none of these methods work, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. Trying these methods repeatedly, when they didn’t work the first time, can actually do more harm than good.

Don’t risk damage to your plumbing. Get the issue resolved effectively, by a drain cleaning professional. Make an appointment with one of our Vancouver plumbing pros at your earliest convenience!