Fixing A Backed Up Sink

Fixing a backed up sink yourself has two big advantages: You save time and money. After all, who has the leisure—or the inclination—to wait all day for an expensive repair person to stop by?

When sinks in the kitchen or bathroom back up, pouring liberal doses of hot water down the drain will often help by melting greasy clogs away.

If the hot water drain trick doesn't work, you can probably fix a backed up sink yourself with these tried-and-true methods.

Clean the Sink Strainer

Plumbing problems often happen at the strainer area of the sink and are easily fixed by removing the strainer or stopper and cleaning it. Here's how to do this yourself:

• Remove the stopper or strainer by turning and pulling up on it with your fingers. 
  

• Rinse away any soap scum, hair, food, or grease attached to the filter.

Plunge a Backed Up Sink

Plunge a backed up sink. Sure, you put it there for the toilet, but many plungers can also unclog a sink nicely. Here's how to use the plunger to unclog a backed up sink:

• Cover the overflow valve near the rim of the tub and bathroom sink drains. Hold a slightly damp cloth over the overflow valve.

• Perform three or four swift pumps as you gently push the plunger down over the drain opening. Then, pause to see if the sink drains. If it doesn't, try again.
  

Here's how to utilize the plunger and petroleum jelly for fixing a backed up sink:

• If there is no standing water in the sink, run the faucet until several inches of water cover the drain. This water should help force the clog out. 
  

• Apply a thin ring of petroleum jelly around the rubber plunger cup's rim to provide a tighter seal against the drain. This will improve the effectiveness of the pumping action.

• Once the seal is established, gently push the plunger down, holding a slightly damp cloth over the overflow valve. Give the plunger three or four quick, powerful pumps. Wait a moment to see if it drains. If it doesn't, try again.

• When the drain is cleared, run hot water to wash down any remaining clogged material lingering in the pipe.

Fixing a Backed Up Sink With a Liquid Drain Cleaner

As a last resort, before calling that busy plumber, try fixing a backed up sink with liquid drain cleaners. These chemical cleaners can usually quickly burn through all but the toughest clogs. Be sure to follow the label's directions carefully.

If the drain cleaner and several short sessions with the plunger won't dislodge the blockage - or if you've noticed that several of your home's other drains are also draining sluggishly - the problem is likely to be deep inside your main house drain and well out of your reach.

It's now time to call that busy plumber. Your work here fixing a backed up sink is done.