There’s never a good time for a clogged sink. Even if you’re about to go on vacation for a week or two, you don’t want to come back home to a plumbing problem. In many cases, clogged sinks are symptoms of larger problems. However, in other instances, they are simply the result of a small and fixable issue. Generally, if your sink is becoming clogged repeatedly, especially in a short time, you could have a more serious problem lurking in your plumbing system. If this is the first time your sink has been clogged, or your sink rarely gets clogged, you may be safe taking care of it yourself.
How to Unclog a Sink with a Plunger
There are several ways to unclog a sink. One of the most simple and straightforward ways to do it is to use a cup plunger. Here’s how you can use a plunger to unclog a sink:
- Remove standing water. If there is standing water in the sink, use a cup or other type of container to remove some of the water. You want there to be enough water in the sink that when you use the plunger, the plunger head will be submerged in the water. To accomplish this, you can leave some of the standing water in the sink or you can remove all the standing water and add fresh water.
- Protect your dishwasher. If you are using the plunger on a kitchen sink, there may be a risk of water backflowing into your dishwasher. To prevent this, you can use a clamp or vice grips to pinch your dishwasher’s drain line (if your dishwasher has a flexible hose). You can also remove your dishwasher’s drain hose and place a pipe cap over the inlet.
- Use a cup plunger. When you are ready to use the plunger, submerge the plunger head into the water in the sink and use it to cover the sink’s drain hole. Make sure the plunger head has formed a seal around the sink’s drain hole and plunge rapidly. On your upstrokes, only lift the plunger head about an inch.
If using the plunger does not unclog the sink, there are other DIY methods you can try. However, your best bet at this point may be to contact a plumber for help removing the clog, because you may be facing a more serious plumbing problem than you realize.
Also, it’s always a good idea to have multiple plungers, so that you can use separate plungers for the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, and toilets.
Need help with a Clogged Sink? Give Our Plumbers a Call Today!
For over a decade, Smith’s Plumbing Services has been providing residential and commercial customers in Memphis, Tennessee and its surrounding communities with top notch help with plumbing installation, repair, and maintenance. Our plumbers are experienced, highly-trained, dependable, knowledgeable, and skilled. We offer upfront pricing, which means that you’ll never have surprise charges show up on your bill. Plus, Smith’s Plumbing Services is A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau.
To speak with our experienced plumbers about a clogged sink, drain cleaning, or any other plumbing issues, give us a call at (901) 290-1110 or contact us online. We are available to help with plumbing emergencies 24/7.