Unclog a Slow or Stuck Sink Drain

The P-trap. It's not so scary, is it?

 So you have a clogged sink. What are your options? Well, you could call plumber, but they can be expensive. You could call your landlord, but what if they are slow to respond or you own your home? Another option is to pull up your sleeves and do it yourself. Sure, the job can be gross, but it's a very simple task and relatively difficult to break something in the process.

Most slow drains are, in my experience, caused by a gradual buildup of debris. Fortunately, sinks and drains are designed to be relatively easy to clean, when needed. Every sink should have what is called a P-trap somewhere near the drain connection to the sink. P-traps prevent things from going down the drain that shouldn't. If you ever lose a ring or other jewelry in the sink, don't worry, just check the P-trap. They are also a handy access point for unclogging drains.

P-trap and wonky connector.

 The first step to unclogging the drain is to remove the P-trap. You'll need a large wrench or pliers to unscrew the connectors. It's a good idea to clear out a space under the sink for you to work, and also have a container on hand to catch any water stuck in the P-trap.  Obviously, don't pour this water back down the sink until you are finished.

 In my case, I had this wonky* flexible plastic connector going from the sink to the P-trap (*not a technical term). I decided to just leave it on and remove the whole thing in one piece. I figured the clog could be in the flexible connector. Your sink setup is probably different, but I'm sure you can figure it out.

Once the P-trap is removed, the gross part begins. As I mentioned, the most likely culprit is a hairball. I had about a one-foot section of wire lying around, so I decided to fashion it into a hook to snag the hairball. It worked well because the wire is flexible, but still rigid enough to hold its shape. A wire clothes hanger would probably work well too.

I used some old wiring for a hairball hook.

Once you fish the hairball, avoid the urge to wildly fling it around the room. It's going to be gross, so be prepared. Have a trashcan nearby to get rid of it quickly. Gloves are also a good idea. If you're not like me, and a sludgy hairball doesn't gross you out, you'll have no problems.

When reattaching everything, take care not to crossthread the connections. Make it tight, but not too tight. Plastic connectors run the risk of breaking if tightened too much. Also, don't tweak any of the pipes. Have a firm grip on them when using the wrench or pliers.

After you're finished, run the water for a while to admire your work (and secretly check for drips if you're trying to impress anyone).