How to Unclog Your Kitchen and Bathroom Sink

A Plumber’s Secret world!

Did you know many clogged sinks can be easily fixed without calling a plumber? Here’s a trade secret from Sammy Plumbing on how to unclog your kitchen or bathroom sink quickly and safely.

Why Your Sink Gets Clogged

Often (but not always), the reason your sink drains slowly is a clogged P-trap. The P-trap is the U-shaped pipe under your sink. In older apartments, especially in buildings with copper or brass plumbing, this can be a common problem.

In most houses, the P-trap is made of ABS (black plastic) piping. It’s designed to hold water to block sewer gases, but debris, grease, or hair can get trapped and block your drain.

How to Unclog the Sink Yourself

Prepare Your Tools:

A small adjustable wrench
A bucket
A towel or gloves (optional)

Place the Bucket:
Place the bucket under the P-trap to catch any water and debris that will spill out.
Loosen the P-trap:
Use the adjustable wrench to slowly turn the slip nuts on the P-trap to the left. Be careful as water will spill out.
Clean Out the P-trap:
Remove any debris or gunk that is stuck inside the P-trap. You can look through it towards the drain to check if it’s clear.
Reattach the P-trap:
For ABS or brass P-traps, you may want to use a clear silicone seal when reattaching to prevent leaks. For chrome (shiny) P-traps, hand-tighten the nuts firmly but avoid over-tightening.

Why This Works

In kitchen sinks, grease and food particles often cause the clog.
In bathroom sinks, hair buildup is usually the culprit.

Cleaning the P-trap will remove these clogs and restore normal water flow.

What If the Sink Is Still Clogged?

If you’ve cleaned the P-trap and the sink is still draining slowly, it means the clog is deeper in the drain line. At this point, the drain will need to be snaked using a drain auger or by calling a professional like Sammy Plumbing to clear the blockage safely.

Need Help? Call Sammy Plumbing!

We offer fast, affordable, and clean plumbing services in Toronto and the GTA, ensuring your sinks drain properly while respecting your home.

📞 Call or WhatsApp us at 416-659-5020 to schedule your service today.