I was there, taking care of my business and washing dishes after dinner as I do every night. After I had finished cleaning the frying pan and rinsed it, I noticed that water was not draining from my sink.
I looked into the drain opening to make sure nothing was blocking it. The garbage disposal was turned on, but it was only temporary. The drainage was getting worse as I was washing dishes. My after-dinner clean-up was going to be more difficult because of the clogged sink.
Clogged drains can be a frustrating problem. Clogged kitchen sinks are a common problem for homeowners. This is because soap residue and food debris can clog drains. Clogged drains can be repaired easily at home. Be aware of common plumbing myths before you jump in and do it yourself.
Chemical-based drain cleaners may not be the best option for your kitchen sink. Even if the clog appears to be resolved, chemicals can cause more damage to your system.
Also, stubborn blockages can cause serious skin and eye damage. These catastrophes can be avoided with other clog repair techniques. Some require simple plungers or plumber snakes.
You can probably fix the problem yourself using one of these six methods for unclogging a kitchen sink.
1. Boil water to attack
Boiling water is a good option to clear your drains of hair, grease, soap residue, and other debris. This is the easiest solution, so it should be your first step in unclogging a sink.
It's as easy as 1-2-3. Here are the steps:
Half a gallon of water can be brought to a boil on a stovetop or heated in a kettle.
Put the boiling water into the drain opening.
To check if water is draining in a steady stream, turn on the tap. Repeat the process if the water is still dripping slowly or sitting still in the sink.
Important Note: Do not try this method if the drain is connected to PVC pipes. The boiling water could cause the plastic to melt or be damaged.
If boiling water fails after two attempts, you should try another method. You may have a stubborn sink clog, which is not suitable for boiling water.
2. Verify the garbage disposal
Your drainage problems could be caused by garbage disposal in your sink. The disposal can usually be turned on to clear out a blockage if it is blocked. Disposals that are too hot or damaged may not turn on.
However, you can still activate the reset button at the bottom or side of the unit to make it work again. To clear the blockage, turn the disposal on again after you have reset it.
The disposal could be jammed, or even broken if you hear a low clicking sound when you turn it on. Be sure to turn off the power supply at your disposal before you do anything.
You can then try to clear the disposal of the blockage by manually turning the blades. To do this, insert an Allen wrench into the hole at the bottom of your disposal and turn it until the resistance is less. This will indicate that the blockage has begun to dissolve.
These are some tips to clear your garbage disposal if that fails. Turn the power back on, and then test the disposal. If everything sounds and looks good, turn on the faucet to check if the sink drains normally.
Be aware that your garbage disposal inspection might not uncover any clogs. In this case, you can jump straight to another unclogging method.
3. Get rid of the blockage
Once you have determined that the disposal is not the problem, it's the right time to get out the plunger. These steps will be followed once you have your toilet plunger ready.
You can fill the sink with hot water to about half full. Then seal the drain.
Place the plunger on the drain, and pump up and down rapidly several times.
Take out the plunger, and then wait for the water to drain.
Continue this process until the water runs clear.
You know what to do if the sink is still not draining after several attempts at plunging it. It's time to try another method.
4. It can be broken down with baking soda or vinegar
This is an alternative to chemical drain cleaners for clogged drains. Baking soda and vinegar, which are common household ingredients that most people have in their kitchen, can also be used to clean clogged drains. These steps will allow the mixture to work its magic.
Use a cup or a bowl to remove any standing water from the sink.
Use a spoon or spatula to push the baking soda down the drain.
Place one cup of white vinegar into the drain opening.
To seal the drain, place a cover or stopper on it.
Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes.
Turn off the water supply and flush the drain with hot tap water.
To break down more severe clogs, boil water.
This natural method doesn't work 100% of the time, as with all unclogging methods. If you feel like you are making progress with the clog, continue the process to increase the effectiveness of the unclogging method.
5. The plumber's snake is a good idea.
To remove clogs, a plumber's snake will be needed. It has a spiral-coiled snake that extends into the drain. You can turn the handle to remove the obstruction and pull the drain out. To tackle blocked drains, electric snakes have even more power.
You can make a temporary one using a wire coat hanger if you don't own a plumbers snake. To unwind the hanger, use a pair of needle-nose pliers. The hooked end should be kept as it will be used to grab the debris. You can adjust the angle of your hook with the pliers if necessary to fit it through the drain opening.
It doesn't matter what tool you use, just feed it down the drain slowly. Do not push too hard, or you could push the clog deeper down the pipe. Once you feel your tool hitting an obstruction, attach it to the drain and pull the debris upwards. Continue doing this until the blockage disappears. To check if the blockage is gone, run hot water down the drain.
6. Clean the P-trap
If your water still isn't draining properly, it could be due to a blockage in your P-trap (aka the elbow-shaped pipe beneath your sink). Your sink may not drain properly due to food, grease, or other debris stuck in the pipe.
To remove the gunk causing the blockage, you will need to disassemble the pipe. Warning: This job can be messy so make sure you have gloves, goggles, and towels. These steps will help you clean the P trap.
Put a bucket under the pipe. This will capture any water and debris that might get out of the P-trap.
The connectors that connect the trap to the horizontal and vertical drain pipes must be removed. On either end of your P-trap, you will find a slip nut.
Clean the pipe from all dirt, grime, and residue by removing the P-trap.
Connect the trap.
Turn on the faucet and water will run down the drain.
If your drainage is not perfect, you may have a clog further up the pipe. You will need to go back under the sink to locate the cause of the blockage. Here are the steps to take when you reach that point.
Continue the steps above to remove the P trap.
The horizontal pipe connecting the system to the wall must be removed.
Install a coat hanger, an auger, or a plumber's snake into the wall pipe. Use your tool to remove the obstruction from the pipe when you feel it.
Continue this process until all debris is removed.
Assemble the pipes and P trap, then tighten the connectors manually. Home Depot's tip: Don't over-tighten the connectors as it can cause them to crack.
To flush the drain, run hot water.
Before you get excited about your accomplishment, make sure to check the underside of the sink when the water is running. This will ensure that there are no leaks from the pipes.
Make sure you tighten all connectors if there are any leaks. After you have cleared the drains, you can dry any water that has dripped from under the sink and on the floor.
If your sink is still not draining after you reach this point, it could be an even bigger problem. You should call a plumber to get a professional repair.
How to avoid future clogs
You should make sure your kitchen sink drains properly once again. It is important to avoid putting any harmful materials down the drain. This includes:
Grease, oils, and fats
Meat.
Coffee grounds
Eggshells
Starchy foods such as pasta, rice, and bread are all examples.
Peels, pits, and stickers for fruit.
Gum.
Paint.
Paper products include paper towels and food wrappers.
Instead, put cooking grease in an empty can and then dispose of it once it is full. Certain wastes, such as coffee grounds, can be used to make mulch or compost piles.
