subject: A Guide To Unblock Your Sink Drain [print this page] Before you start with clearing a clogged sink, check that which type of drain plumbing is present in your house. You may have a PVC or metal J-trap. In case, you have J-Trap then remove the drain stopper and also disconnect the pivot rod that sits behind the drain tail pipe underneath the sink if required.
In case there are some couplings in the J -Trap that can be unscrewed then try using your hand or a pair of channel pliers to remove that couplings. But don't forget to place a bucket under the J-Trap that will catch all its standing water.
As you have successfully removed the couplings, slide the J-trap down the sink drain sleeve and away from rest of the portion of house drain system. Try to pour all the contents of J-Trap inside a bucket and try to remove any solid/semi-solid clog present in it. Don't forget to wear gloves while doing this.
Next, use a rag or bottle washer brush to thoroughly clean out the J-Trap. If you did not find a clog in the J-Trap, first look down through the drain and see if the drain tail pipe is clear. If it is not then use a hand auger to remove the clog in the drain tail pipe.
If both the drain tail pipe and J-Trap are free from clog then that means that the clog is into the drain system. In this case you again need to use the hand auger so that you can push it further into the drain system.
Push the auger inside till you feel any resistance. As soon as you feel the resistance, screw the hand auger and pull it back towards yourself in order to remove the clog. Now reinsert the J-Trap and reconnect all the couplings. After tightening all the couplings, your clogged sink must have repaired.
On the other hand if J-Traps do not have couplings then follow this method for clearing the clogging. There is a Clean-Out Plug at the base of the J-Trap. Using a pair of channel lock pliers loosen the Clean-Out Plug nut. Once it get loose, position a bucket underneath the J-Trap and remove the Clean-Out Plug by hand.
Clear the clog while wearing gloves in the hand. A small screw driver may help in this case to enable you to reach in and clear the clog. Again, if the clog persists after cleaning out the J-trap, repeat with the hand auger as described earlier.
