Instructions
Examine the Drain Stopper
If it's your bathroom sink that's clogged, clearing it may be as simple as pulling out the pop-up stopper and cleaning it off. Hair, soap, and other gunk tend to collect on the stem below the stopper's plug as well as on the rod that moves the stopper up and down (the rod extends into the middle of the drain pipe). Use needle-nose pliers or a metal coat hanger bent into a hook to grab hair from these parts. If that doesn't clear the drain, then you'll need to move on to plunging.
Block the Overflow Opening
On bathrooms sinks, you must seal the drain pipe before plunging. Use a wet rag to block the overflow opening, located near the top of the sink rim. It may be near the back of the sink or the front, and some sinks may have two overflow openings. Blocking the overflow opening will seal the drain so that the plunger can create the suction and compression necessary; without it, the plunging will have very little effect. On double-basin kitchen sinks, block the drain opening in one basin before plunging the other basin.
Position the Plunger
Place the plunger cup over the drain opening so it covers the opening fully. Run a small amount of water in the sink—enough to cover the cup of the plunger.
Pump the Plunger
Thrust the plunger in an even up-and-down motion. The suction force of the upstroke is just as important as that of the downstroke. Maintain the seal between the rubber plunger cup and the sink surface throughout this action. You may actually be able to feel the moment when the clog loosens, as the plunger handle may suddenly get easier to pump.
- Tip: If you're having difficulty getting a good seal between the plunger cup and sink basin, apply some petroleum jelly around the lip of the cup to help seal it against the bottom of the sink.
Check for Drainage
Pull the plunger away from the drain opening after about six pumps of the plunger, and see if the water drains away. If it does, you have successfully loosened the clog. If not, then repeat the process.
Flush the Drain
Once the clog is freed, run hot water for several minutes to flush any debris down the drain. This can dissolve soap scum and help prevent new clogs from forming.
Tel : (832) 674-0929
