How to Improve Double Sink Drainage

Unclogging the Double Sink

• 1

  Fill the sink with at least 1 to 2 inches of water. The water helps ensure a tight vacuum forms inside the drain, which helps dislodge the clog.

• 2

  Dampen a rag with water and hold it inside either drain. This is crucial to ensure that a tight seal is formed inside the pipes. Place the head of a plunger on the other drain and begin to apply quick pressure and release it for at least 20 seconds.

• 3

  Remove the plunger quickly in one swift motion. Continue to plunge the drain until any standing water inside the sink easily flows down.

Cleaning the P Trap

• 4

  Remove all of the items found under the sink. Slip on a pair of rubber gloves and place a plastic bucket under the P trap, which is the “J” or “U” shaped pipe found below the drain’s waste tee.

• 5

  Loosen both slip nuts that hold the P trap in place with your hands. Use a plumber’s wrench to loosen the nuts first if they’re too tight to remove manually. Dirty, bacterial-ridden water will drain into the bucket, which should be disposed of after the cleaning is complete down a separate, functional drain.

• 6

  Hold the P trap over a separate plastic bucket or a garbage can and use your gloved fingers to clean out any hair, dirt or other debris. Once the P trap is cleaned out, rinse it thoroughly with water.

• 7

  Reinstall the P trap with your hands. Don’t overtighten the slip nuts with a wrench to ensure the plastic pipe doesn’t become damaged or stripped.

Preventing Future Clogs

• 8

  Scrape any leftover food on dishes and cookware into a garbage can before placing the items in the sink. This ensures the large food particles don’t clog the drain.

• 9

  Avoid pouring hot cooking grease down the drain. The grease eventually solidifies, resulting in a nasty clog.

• 10

  Install a metal or plastic strainer inside both drains. The strainers catch any large objects before they have a chance to clog your pipes.