Tips to unclog a stubborn drain

Clogged sink? Try clearing P-trap

By Samantha Mazzotta
| 7:07 a.m. March 5, 2015

Winter Park - Maitland Observer
Neighborhood

Q: I read your article on slow-draining sinks and fixing or cleaning the pop-up stopper. My bathroom sink isn't draining fast at all. I checked the stopper but it's clear. What else can I do? — Jae C., via email

A: In your case there may be a clog further down the line, at or near the P-trap. This is the big bend in the pipe just below the sink. (It looks like a big J or a sideways P, hence the name).

Clogs made up of soapy gunk and hair often collect at the bottom of this bend. It happens so frequently that many P-traps today have a big plug at the bottom to access and clean the area.

To clear it, you'll need an adjustable/locking wrench or pipe wrench, a bucket, a plumbing snake (also known as a hand auger) and some rags. Place the bucket directly under the trap.

If you have a cleanout plug, wrap a rag around it and use the adjustable wrench to loosen it, then unscrew by hand. Water will gush out into the bucket, so be prepared. Clean the P-trap using a small bottlebrush or a modified wire hanger to reach in and grab the clog, or feed the pipe snake in a couple inches at a time and whirl it around to catch and pull out clogs further in.

If you don't have a cleanout plug, the trap itself can be removed by loosening the attachment nuts on either end of the curved pipe by hand. If they're really tight, wrap a rag around each nut before using a pipe wrench or locking wrench, so you don't scratch or strip the nuts. Loosen and then unscrew by hand, easing the trap downward until it comes off. (This video by HowTo with GEO shows how to do it: http://bit.ly/1EGu5cN)

Clean the trap itself, and inspect the tailpipe that leads upward to the sink for clogs, as well as the pipe feeding into the wall. Fish out any clogs you can see.

Now slide the trap back into place and hand-tighten the nuts. Don't over tighten. To test the seal, run water down the drain and slowly tighten until any leakage stops. If it still leaks, replace the seals located at each nut.

TIP: If your sink and tub drains clog frequently with hair, buy some inexpensive mesh drain traps and clean them daily to minimize the problem.