How to Unplug a Sink Trap

The sink trap is a very important part of a drain system. The trap holds water inside of it, so gases inside the waste pipes do not make its way into the house. These gases can be toxic and flammable also. The sink trap will also hold hair and old debris in it. The more debris that becomes stuck the trap the slower the water will drain out of the sink. Many people are to afraid to just remove the trap and clean it out. A small pipe wrench or even a channel lock can be used to get the job done.

The trap under most sinks is held in place by two nuts and two washers. The traps can be made of steel or plastic as is the case in most houses now days. The plastic ones are a little easier to work with. The still ones can become rusted in place making much harder to get the trap off. You will need to unscrew the nut on the down word piece that comes off the sink, called the tail stock. You can then slide it up and out of the way to help to keep in place to re-install the sink trap. The other nut will be on a piece coming from the wall. It will have a downward bend in the piece will need to be taken off.

There will need to be a bucket or a container to catch the water that is inside the trap. Once you have the trap off you will be able to clear it of all debris that is stuck in it. You can now re-install the trap back under the sink. You will want the nuts to be tight and the washers in the correct placement as when you took them off. You don't have to tighten the plastic nuts really tight. In fact over tightening these can even lead to creating a leak in the drain. Once you have tightened everything you will want to check for leaks in the pipes. Many times you might have to readjust the washers and nuts to get them just right to stop leaks form occurring.

If you clear the plugged trap and you still have slow draining water you will have to move on and get a plumbing snake and use that to clear what is stuck inside the pipes in the wall. The same process of removing the trap will be needed and then use the snake to clear the plug.

Remember, safety first with all home projects.