The short answer
Clear the P-trap and the pop-up stopper first — that is where 80% of slow sink clogs live. Boiling water and a baking soda plus vinegar flush handles grease; a drain snake handles hair. Skip chemical drain cleaner on metal traps.
A sink that drains in slow motion is almost never a pipe problem. It is a hair-and-soap plug sitting within arm’s reach of the drain.
Step by step
- Pull out the pop-up stopper and clean the gunk off the shaft.
- Push a plastic drain zip tool down the drain, twist, and pull the hair plug out.
- Put a bucket under the P-trap, unscrew both slip nuts by hand and empty the trap.
- Rinse the trap out, refit it and hand-tighten the nuts, then a quarter turn with pliers.
- Flush with a kettle of near-boiling water (not on PVC) or half a cup of baking soda plus a cup of vinegar, left 15 minutes.
- Run hot water for two minutes and check the slip nuts for drips.
What you need
- Bucket
- Drain zip tool
- Adjustable pliers
- Old towel
- Baking soda and vinegar
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Plastic drain zip tool | $3–$8 |
| Hand auger (25 ft) (Only if the clog is past the trap) | $20–$40 |
| Plumber call-out | $120–$250 |
Common questions
Is chemical drain cleaner safe?
It corrodes metal traps and can sit in the pipe if the clog is solid. Use it as a last resort, never after a snake attempt.
Both sinks are slow — now what?
A shared branch line is blocked. Snake through the cleanout or call a plumber.
Why does the sink smell?
A dry or missing trap. Run water to refill it; if the smell stays, the trap seal or vent is faulty.