When your sink is clogged, it can be very inconvenient. It always seems to happen when you’re right in the middle of cooking a big dinner for company. But there might actually be a way to resolve the problem yourself, by cleaning the sink trap.
Quite a few people keep an extra plunger (other than the bathroom plunger) around for clogs in the sink. While a plunger might do the trick, you might have to step it up a notch and go with a plumbing snake, which usually requires that you call one of us plumbers, However, before you do that, here’s how you clean your sink trap and quite possibly, take care of the clog yourself. But if there is any doubt that you can do it, call in a professional.
Under the Sink: What You Need to Do to Clean a Drain Trap
First, you’re going to have to gather up some tools. You’re going to need a bucket, an adjustable wrench or a pair of vice-grips to remove the pipe so that you can see the clog. You also need some kind of brush to clean out the trap, which is what you’re looking for when you take the pipes apart. It is quite easy to see. It is the pipe that is in the shape of a J. You’re going to take this pipe apart but before you do, maneuver the bucket underneath the pipe so that is catches any water.
Now, use your wrench to unscrew the joints that are on both sides of the trap. Separate the trap pipe from the rest of the pipes that are there. Make sure you pick up any rubber O-rings that fall out of the pipe. Once you have removed the trap you can clean it with the brush. There will likely be hair, the residue from your soap, water and gunk. Another trick is to take it outside and use a high pressure nozzle on your garden hose to clean it out.
When you’re done, just put it back together the same way you took it off. You need to place the O-rings between the pipe fittings (the area that they likely fell out of), tighten the joints, but be careful not to twist too hard and damage the pipe. This is especially important if you have plastic pipes. If you do break one of them, you can pick up a replacement at your local hardware or home improvement store.
Handling this small project yourself can save you a lot of money over hiring a professional plumber to do it for you. However, if you just don’t want to get your hands dirty, give us a call and we’ll take care of it.
