About this Project

When a sink clogs up, first figure out where the blockage might be. It could be anywhere along the three main sections of a household drain system: in the fixture drain, in the drain stack that serves multiple fixtures, or in the main sewer line that carries waste out of the house (see Drain System, Related Projects). Usually the problem will be close to a fixture, because the drain pipe and trap near a fixture are narrower than the stack and main sewer lines they tie into. To verify that the clog is near the fixture, check other drains in your home. If more than one won't clear, something is stuck in a drain stack. If no drains work, the problem is farther down the line, probably in the main sewer line.