Slow Draining Sink — How to Clear the Clog

Water pooling in your sink while you brush your teeth is annoying. The good news: most sink clogs are easy DIY fixes that don’t require chemicals or a plumber.

Quick Fix: Boiling Water

Start simple. Sometimes a slow drain just needs hot water to melt grease and soap buildup.

1. Boil a kettle of water
2. Pour it directly down the drain in 2-3 stages
3. Wait a few seconds between pours
4. Run water to test

Works best for: Light buildup, soap scum, minor grease. Won’t clear hair clogs.

Caution: Don’t use boiling water if you have PVC pipes (plastic) — it can soften them. Hot tap water is safer.

Most Likely Causes

Bathroom Sink: Hair and Soap Scum

The combination of hair and soap creates a sticky clog that accumulates over time.

The Fix — Clean the Stopper:

1. Remove the sink stopper (pull up, or twist and lift)
2. Clean off the gunk (prepare for grossness)
3. Use a bent wire or zip-it tool to fish out hair from the drain
4. Run hot water

Time: 5-10 minutes. Cost: Free.

Kitchen Sink: Grease and Food

Grease coats pipes and hardens. Food particles add to the blockage.

The Fix — Baking Soda & Vinegar:

1. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain
2. Follow with 1/2 cup white vinegar
3. Let it fizz for 15-30 minutes
4. Flush with hot water

This works for light grease buildup. Heavy clogs need more.

When Basic Methods Don’t Work

Use a Plunger (Yes, On Sinks)

A plunger works on sinks too. Use a cup plunger (not a flange/toilet plunger).

1. Fill the sink with a few inches of water
2. Block the overflow hole with a wet rag (seals the system)
3. Place the plunger over the drain, ensuring a seal
4. Plunge vigorously 15-20 times
5. Check if water drains

Use a Drain Snake

For clogs deeper in the pipe, a drain snake (hand auger) works better than chemicals.

1. Remove the stopper/strainer
2. Insert the snake into the drain
3. Rotate the handle while pushing forward
4. When you hit resistance, work through it
5. Pull back and clean off debris
6. Repeat until clear
7. Flush with hot water

Cost: $15-30 for a basic hand snake.

Clean the P-Trap

The P-trap is the curved pipe under the sink. Debris collects there.

1. Place a bucket under the P-trap
2. Loosen the slip nuts by hand (or with pliers)
3. Remove the P-trap
4. Clean out any gunk
5. Check the pipe going into the wall for clogs
6. Reassemble hand-tight

Time: 15-20 minutes. Cost: Free.

What NOT to Do

Skip the liquid drain cleaners. They’re harsh chemicals that:

• Can damage pipes over time
• Create toxic fumes
• Don’t work well on serious clogs
• Make the problem worse for a plumber if you need to call one

Mechanical methods (plunger, snake, P-trap) are more effective and safer.

When to Call a Plumber

• Clog is beyond the P-trap (in the wall)
• Multiple drains are slow (indicates main line issue)
• DIY methods don’t help after multiple tries
• You’re not comfortable removing the P-trap
• Old pipes might be damaged by aggressive clearing

Cost: $150-300 for a professional drain clearing.

Prevent Future Clogs

Bathroom:

• Use a drain cover to catch hair
• Clean the stopper weekly
• Flush with hot water after brushing teeth

Kitchen:

• Never pour grease down the drain
• Run hot water after using the disposal
• Use a strainer to catch food bits
• Flush with boiling water weekly

The Bottom Line

Slow drains are usually hair, soap, or grease buildup close to the drain opening. Clean the stopper, try boiling water, use a plunger or snake. You can fix 90% of slow drains without calling anyone.