Why does my sink drain keep clogging up?
P-trap blockages are often caused by buildup from past habits like toothpaste or potential plumbing pipe height issues. Because professional repairs are unaffordable, homeowners must rely on DIY cleaning methods to keep the drain clear.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Trying to manually fix the plumbing setup oneself
- 2Replacing the accordion trap with a normal one and modifying the dishwasher tailpiece extension
- 3Cleaning out the drain stopper and pipe
- 4Placing a hollow cylinder over the drain holes to test for air lock
- 5Drilling out holes in the drain strainer to create a vent
- 6Unclogging or replacing the pipe
- 7Getting the line snaked to remove roots
- 8Modifying the PVC pipe to create a clean out
- 9Detaching the downspout from the underground system and using an above-ground extension
- 10Digging up and replacing the pipe with a shovel
- 11Hiring a plumber
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“The p trap keeps getting clogged up. I read that the pipe going out of the back may be too high up. But I cant afford to have that fixed right now.”source ↗
“is it time for me to clean my sink”source ↗
“when i was younger id put big globs of toothpaste down this sink for like 2 years straight so thats probably an issue there”source ↗
“it’s occasionally stinky but i do live on the beach as well”source ↗
“It can often take almost half an hour to drain sometimes.”source ↗
“I cleaned the trap and snaked the drain up to 25ft but got nothing.”source ↗
“I have one that does the same. No idea where it goes or how to unclog it. Following!”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3Why does my basement sink gurgle when the kitchen sink drains?
- 5Drain snake stuck in pipe
- 8Why is a newly installed sink drain leaking above the trap?
- 7Why is water backing up into the sink when appliances drain?
- 2Why does water pool in flat bottomed sinks?
- 12Why does my toilet keep clogging and gurgling?