If you are plunging a kitchen sink, make sure to clamp the dishwasher drain hose. Do this by tightening a clamp around the bendable drain line before you begin plunging. [2] X Research source
If you have a double sink, then you will need to cover the other sink’s drain with a wet rag or another type of cover. This will prevent water from spewing out of the sink’s drain while you plunge the other drain. If you have a small vanity sink and your plunger is too large to create a tight seal around the drain, pick up a small plunger from a hardware store.
The boiling water should clear away any remaining residue in your sink trap. The dish soap helps remove grease and oil.
Make sure to remove your sink stopper before doing this.
If your sink trap is very clogged, then you may need to let the mixture set for longer, like 30 minutes.
If the water has cooled, then heat it to a rolling boil again before pouring it down the drain. If your sink is still clogged, then you may need to remove your sink trap to clean it properly.
The tail pipe is the pipe that connects directly to your sink, and the waste pipe is the pipe that connects to the wall.
If your sink trap has a decorative or metal finish, then use a strap wrench to loosen the slip joints to prevent scratching. You can also place duct tape on the parts of the wrench that come into contact with your pipes to prevent scratching.
Take a picture of the trap before you remove it to help you reassemble the sink trap correctly. Clog the waste pipe with a cloth or rag to prevent sewer gases from entering your home.
At this point, you can use the bottle brush to scrub and remove any dirt and grime from the end of the tail pipe as well.
Use your wrench to finish tightening the slip joint nuts. Only tighten the slip joints nuts a quarter turn more. Try not to tighten them too tight. This can cause your pipes to crack and break, especially plastic ones. If there’s rust on the P trap, replace it before it has a chance to leak.
