How to Unclog a Bathroom Sink Drain

Drainage issues in a bathroom sink are almost always caused by a dense tangle of hair, skin cells, and soap residue acting as a dam. When the water starts pooling, it is tempting to dump chemical cleaners down the pipe, but those often fail to break through dense organic clogs and can eventually damage older plumbing lines. Taking the P-trap apart is a straightforward, mechanical solution that guarantees the obstruction is gone. It takes about twenty minutes, keeps your pipes safe, and saves you from a plumber's service call. Approach this with patience, a bucket, and a pair of gloves, and your sink will be running clear again before dinner.

1. Make room to work. Remove everything from under the sink and place a bucket directly beneath the curved pipe section known as the P-trap. You need space to maneuver and a vessel to catch the water that will inevitably spill.
2. Break the seal gently. Locate the two large plastic or metal slip nuts holding the P-trap in place. Twist them counter-clockwise by hand, or use channel-lock pliers if they are stuck, but wrap a cloth around them first to avoid marring the finish.
3. Lower and drain the trap. Carefully pull the P-trap down away from the drain tailpiece and the wall pipe. Pour the captured water into the bucket and set the trap aside to inspect the interior.
4. Extract the blockage. Use a small bottle brush or a piece of bent wire to pull the mass of gunk out of the curved section. Do not push the debris further into the wall pipe; pull it toward you and into the trash.
5. Clear stubborn hair strands. Check the pipe coming down from the sink drain for any remaining hair hanging from the crosshairs of the stopper. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to reach up and pull out any remaining obstruction.
6. Reconnect and verify flow. Slide the P-trap back into position and tighten the slip nuts hand-tight. Run the faucet for two minutes to ensure the seals are watertight and the water flows freely.