- Most drains that are not completely clogged but just sluggish at emptying the sink can be easily remedied with the use of a chemical drain cleaner. Follow product instructions carefully, and if the method proves successful, flush the remaining cleaner through by turning on the hot water and letting it run for five to 10 minutes. If this doesn't quite do the trick, a plumber's snake will come in handy. You can purchase one inexpensively at your local home improvement store and insert the end into the drain, trying to push against whatever inhibits the water flow. Given that this is just a slow-moving drain, the snake should easily take care of whatever is lodged. Once finished, let hot water run through the now-cleared drain for five to 10 minutes to loosen up and flush out remaining residue.
- A drain that is completely clogged can prove to be a bit more difficult at clearing, but it is still doable in most cases. Fill the sink that has a clogged drain with about 2 to 3 inches of water, and use a plunger to plunge the drain to try to open the clog. Be patient because this may take a few minutes, and even if you think nothing has happened, the suction power has at least weakened the clog. If it doesn't remove the clog completely, try using the snake as directed before.
- If snaking doesn't work, roll up your sleeves because some pipes need to be removed. Get an empty bucket and place it underneath the pipes to catch dripping water. If the clean-out plug is easily accessible, try this location first before removing any other pipes. Once the plug is removed, get rid of any debris by using a screwdriver and then using the snake. This should do the trick. If not, the next thing to try is removing the trap. Clean the trap thoroughly and, once again, use the snake to dislodge any blockage. Once the drain is patched up and in working order, finish by letting hot water run through the drain for five to 10 minutes to flush away anything that is still holding on.