Step 4 · Disassemble and Clean the P-Trap
If the clog persists, it's likely concentrated in the P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under the sink). Ensure your bucket is positioned directly under the trap. The trap is held in place by two large slip nuts. Loosen these nuts by turning them counter-clockwise. They should be hand-tight, but you may need channel-lock pliers for stubborn metal nuts. Once loose, gently wiggle the P-trap free and lower it into the bucket, draining the trapped water and gunk. Take the trap to another sink or outside and clean it thoroughly with a bottle brush, a bent coat hanger, and hot, soapy water. The clog is often a solid mass of greasy sludge that you can pull out.