How to unclog a sink stopper?

Regardless of the type of solutions we have in our bathroom, an obstacle may always arise in our way. In this case, we tackled the issues that owners of click-clack stoppers, also known as automatic stoppers, face most frequently. This mechanism, like any other, has a range of advantages that encourage many consumers to purchase it. However, it should be noted that in the case of this mechanism, there is a risk of clogging. This is directly due to the design that allows the click-clack stopper to function. Below, we will explain the functionality of the automatic stopper and the issue of clogging. We will also advise what can help in such a situation.

Click-clack stopper - how does it work?

How does the repair of an automatic sink stopper look? Before we describe it, we will explain the nature of this type of stopper. These stoppers are characterized primarily by their unusual and automatic design. They consist of a stopper placed in the drain opening, which we control using a lever previously installed in the faucet. To close the water drain, we pull the lever, and the mechanism tightens the stopper in the sink and blocks the flow of water. If we want to let the water flow, we simply press the lever, which opens our stopper.

Inside the drainage pipe, there is a lock that regulates the pressure or opening of the stopper and the path of the water flow depending on our will (lever movement). At the bottom of the entire structure, there are two metal rods that regulate our lever. The lever we control while using the stopper is operated by a vertical rod. The horizontal rod acts directly on the stopper, causing it to be closed or opened.

The click-clack stopper operates in a similarly simple manner, although the mechanism itself is much more simplified. You only need to click the stopper to block the water outlet and then click again to unblock it. That's where the amusing name - click-clack stopper comes from.

Most common causes of drain clogging

When our stopper fails and a clogging issue arises, we must identify the cause to eliminate it. The most common causes of such malfunctions include issues with the plastic catch that simultaneously holds the horizontal and vertical rods. This usually happens because this element is made of plastic, which can easily break. This can occur even during the assembly of the structure if it is tightened too strongly with a screwdriver.

Sometimes a click-clack stopper becomes stuck for an unusual reason, such as pulling the lever too hard. In this situation, it is advisable to first take a look under the sink and gently pull down on the end of the horizontal metal rod. In most cases, this action is helpful and causes the stopper to pop out of the clogged drain immediately. Another reason might be an issue with the clamps that also affect the operation of the lever. Under the sink, we will find two metal clamps located on the vertical metal rod under the plastic catch. When the plastic catch breaks, the clamps will trap the stopper to prevent it from dropping completely, inhibiting its automatic lifting.

Having clamps on both sides will protect us in case such a mishap occurs in the future. It is important to consider the appropriate diameter of the clamp to ensure it fits on our rod. It sometimes happens that when our sink has a click-clack stopper, a regular stone can cause the stopper to operate much worse and, as often happens, simply not close upon clicking.

How to effectively unclog a click-clack stopper in a sink?

1. First, check beneath the sink to see if you notice any unusual changes.
2. If the plastic catch is broken, the situation is clear. It needs to be simply replaced with a new one. Remember that it is advisable to reinforce the entire structure with metal clamps as mentioned earlier. This way, if another malfunction occurs, the stopper won’t drop down, making the entire process easier.
3. If you don't see typical causes related to damaged elements as described above, try cleaning the drain of limescale.
4. First, try to remove the stopper by prying it up without damaging either the drain or the stopper itself.
5. We can use popular cleaning agents available on the market, such as those based on sodium hydroxide.
6. During cleaning, remember to be cautious!
7. To prevent clogging of the stopper, it’s worth periodically cleaning the entire drain and pipes of limescale and any elements that may lead to blockage.
8. Sometimes, due to our inattention, something can get into the drainage that completely blocks the click-clack stopper mechanism. In that case, it may become necessary to disassemble the structure in the bathroom and mechanically remove the cause.

If none of the most popular methods yield results, we must gradually take apart the siphon and the stopper. What's important in this situation is to have the right tools and replacement parts on hand. First, ensure that you’ve removed any excess water from the sink to prevent it from spilling onto the floor when opening the siphon. If you do not want to undertake the repair yourself, call for plumbing assistance, which will surely provide you with support.