Oh no, your drain is clogged! Unfortunately, it’s a fairly common problem, but fortunately, we have a few tips for how to fix it. You may not need to call a plumber, but if you don’t feel comfortable with these steps, it’s okay to call a plumber anyway.
Plunger
This is always the first step in taking care of that clogged drain. Fill the sink with water, a little less than a quarter of the way full. Use the plunger over the drain, up and down rapidly, until the water in the sink begins to drain. If it does, it was just a small clog, and your drain is clear!
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This trick might take you back to elementary school science. First, empty the water from the sink. Next, put a cup of baking soda down the drain. Use a wooden spoon to pack it down. Pour a cup of vinegar down the sink and put the stopper in immediately to force the mixture down. It will then foam downwards into the pipes. Let the mixture work its magic for five minutes and then proceed by running warm water down the drain. If it is still clogged, try boiling water, and if that doesn’t work, it’s time to move on to step #3.
Cable Auger
This is the most difficult method, and should not be attempted by amateur handymen. Using a bucket to catch the water, one would detach the J-joint underneath the sink connecting the sink to the horizontal pipe. Then, after removing the horizontal pipe from the wall, use the cable auger to slide down the stub pipe. Once you catch the clog, spin counter clockwise to retrieve the cable, and hopefully the clog as well. This should unblock your clogged drain, but you’ll have to put your pipes back together!
Call The Plumber!
Finally, if all three of these methods have failed to clear the clogged drain, it is time to call an expert. In fact, it might be best to call the plumber right away if you’ve tried the first two steps. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, don’t take apart anything.