Menu

Sharing Knowledge About Residential Plumbing


About Me

Sharing Knowledge About Residential Plumbing

Hey everyone, I am Tina. I would like to welcome you to my site about plumbing. At my old house, the plumbing for the kitchen sink started to fail. The pipe outside simply disintegrated from old age. As a result, my yard started flooding with water whenever I turned on the sink. After this experience, I decided to learn all I can about residential plumbing problems and repairs. On this site, I will share all of that knowledge with you all. I hope to help everyone better understand the problems they may face with their plumbing and how a professional plumber can help.

Tags

Latest Posts

Essential Plumbing Tips for a Seamless Kitchen Remodel
30 January 2025

A kitchen remodel is an exciting opportunity to tr

When to Hire a Plumber: 5 Instances You Shouldn't Ignore
5 December 2024

Maintaining a well-functioning plumbing system is

Reasons to Hire a Plumber When Replacing Your Shower
18 October 2024

Replacing a shower might seem like a straightforwa

The Importance of Drain Cleaning: Keeping Your Pipes and Wallet Happy
19 September 2024

Drain cleaning may not be the most glamorous house

Four Reasons to Hire a Plumber for Your Kitchen Plumbing Problems
20 August 2024

When it comes to kitchen plumbing issues, many hom

How To Clear Your Sink Drain By Removing The Trap

If your kitchen sink is not draining, there is likely an obstruction caught in the trap. If you have already tried other drain cleaning methods, such as using a plunger or drain snake, it might be time to check the trap. Here are instructions for removing and clearing the trap of any obstructions.

Prepare for Removing the Trap

Before you start removing the trap, there are a few preparation steps you need to take. First of all, you need to have the right tools. Most traps are secured with nuts, so you will need to have a wrench for removing them. You may be able to remove them with your hands, but having this tool is always a good idea. A pair of large pliers might also be needed.

After you have gathered your tools, make sure you have a container that fits under the trap for waste removal,  so you can catch water that comes out. You may have a good amount of water and other debris, depending on how bad the sink drain is clogged.

Remove the Trap

You are now ready to loosen and remove the trap. Find the nuts on the trap and first try twisting them to loosen them with your hands. They should be hand-tightened, but if they aren't, you need to grab your wrench to give it a try. If that is still not working or you don't have a wrench that is large enough to fit around the nuts, use large pliers instead.

Once the nuts are loose, you will be able to pull the tap down and remove it. As you pull it, make sure you go straight down so you don't bend it. The water and other contents of the drain will come out fast, so be sure your container is ready.

Clear the Drain

Once the water empties into the trap and you no longer see any more debris falling out on its own, you need to clear it yourself. There is probably an obstruction somewhere in the trap, so look through it to see if there is anything you need to remove. You can also try using another sink to rinse it and be sure the water runs straight through from one end to the other.

Once you are sure the trap is cleared, remove the trap arm. This is the piece located near where the trap was. Follow the same instructions of loosening the nuts and pull the arm straight out. Empty its contents in the same manner. You can now replace the traps, being sure they are secure but not too tight.