Getting a clog in a bathroom sink drain can be a pain, but it’s definitely something you can attempt to clear on your own.
You might be surprised to know that there are a number of options for taking care of the problem yourself. And you can save lots of money in doing so.
Troubleshooting the clog
How you should proceed in treating a clogged drain depends upon the severity of the clog, and how far it is down the pipe. Your best bet is to try the easiest solution first, and then work your way up through other options.
You may want to avoid using a chemical drain cleaner, as they can be really caustic, and may damage the plumbing pipes. In addition, they’re not an environmentally friendly solution.
Quick-and-easy solutions
The first method you should use is plunging the drain. A plunger, which nearly everyone has on hand, works by pushing the clog out through the pipes.
The other methods we recommend work by retrieving the clog, or part of it. If plunging doesn’t do the job, you can move on to the next easiest solution, which is using a Zip-It – a drain-clearing tool that looks like a giant-sized zip tie and costs less than $5. It’s primarily designed for hair clogs.
If the clog is above the sink’s p-trap, you may be able to clear it quickly and easily with a Zip-It. You just work the tool down into the drain, and pull it up. Hopefully, most of the matter that is blocking your drain will come with it.
Snaking out the drain
If the Zip-It doesn’t do the job, chances are the blockage is beyond the p-trap that is underneath the sink.
This is where you might be tempted to throw up your hands and call a plumber. But before you do so, consider trying to snake it out yourself first by using a drum auger.
You can purchase a drum auger from a home improvement store for as little as $15, and up to about $30. Avoid the cheapest option, which is usually the shortest, and choose one with a pistol grip, which will make it easier to hold onto the snake.
You can also get a version of a drum auger that can be motorized with the use of a power drill.
Check out this video for a step-by-step look at using a drum auger:
Severe clogs
In many cases, the drum auger solution will take care of clearing the clog, and you will be good to go.
There are some circumstances, however, where you might have a clog that is very large, or is further down the drain than can be reached with a manual drum auger. If this is the case, you may need to upgrade to a more powerful snake.
In this situation, you can rent a commercial-grade electric auger from a home improvement store. The process of using one is similar to that of a manual auger, but the snaking action is stronger and more powerful. The snake itself is typically a lot longer and thicker than that of a drum auger.
This is the type of auger that a plumber would use. With the proper safety precautions, you can use it as well.
With all snakes, be sure to run the water for a few minutes after you clear the clog. Once you get that drain cleared, you will be happy to know that you did it yourself, and that you saved yourself some cash as well.
You can do this!
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