A blocked kitchen sink is one of the households’ most frustrating and helpless plumbing problems.
Foreign objects or food bits (coffee grounds, bacon grease, corn husks, etc.) stuck in the drain cause the blockage and the water to back up. Having a blocked sink is inconvenient as we need to use our kitchen multiple times daily.
The stagnant water can soon begin to smell when dirty dishes are in the sink. So, most people resort to calling for professional help soon after discovering that their sink is clogged.
Even though blocked kitchen sinks may appear as a grave issue, in most cases, you’ll be able to remove the clog yourself with a few household items. We thought of creating this guide to inform you about nine nifty ways of swiftly unclogging the sink.
So, without further ado, let’s check them out!
9 Ways To Fix A Clogged Kitchen Sink
1. Inspect The Garbage Disposal
The garbage disposal is the first thing to check when you want to unclog a kitchen sink. You can run the garbage disposal several times while hot water is running to see whether the clog clears up.
Occasionally, the garbage disposal may automatically shut off if it overheats. To fix it, you’ll need to locate the on/off switch present at its base, which is often hidden behind the cabinet underneath your kitchen sink.
Also, check your drain trap for any clogs.
2. Get Your Plunger
Plungers come in handy to remove all kinds of clogs in drains due to the vacuum created by applying the correct pressure. We recommend picking up a kitchen sink plunger as they’re usually smaller and easier to fit even in a tiny sink. For the best suction, you’ll want a cup-style plunger that completely covers the drain opening to create a tight seal.
If you have a double sink, seal one of the drains with a stopper or wet cloth before using the plunger. Now, place the plunger over the drain and firmly plunge several times. You should be able to hear a suction sound indicating that the clog has been cleared.
Once it’s done, remove the plunger and flush your kitchen sink with warm water to remove any remaining clogged bits.
3. Pour Boiling Water
Another common trick is to pour boiling water down the drain, which can help clear clogs created by organic materials like hair and food waste. Make sure to take out as much standing water as possible from the sink before doing this procedure. Then, pour the boiling water into the sink, and the drainage should improve as the clog clears up. Note that boiling water may not be good for your PVC pipes.
4. Create A DIY Cleaner
Believe it or not, you can whip up a drain unclogging solution with a few ingredients that might already be present in your pantry. Here are some of them:
A. Salt And Boiling Water
- Scoop out the majority of standing water from the sink.
- Pour half a cup of salt down the drain.
- Follow up with about a quart of boiling water into the sink and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
- Flush the sink with hot water to wash away any salt residue.
B. Baking Soda And Vinegar
- Remove standing water from the sink.
- Pour equal amounts of white vinegar and baking soda into the drain.
- Place the stopper into the drain and let your baking soda and vinegar sit for fifteen minutes.
- Run hot water to check if the clog has been removed.
- Repeat the process if the water is draining slowly.
5. Use A Wire Coat Hanger
A bent wire coat hanger can be your best friend for clearing clogs from a kitchen sink drain. Just push the hanger wire into the drain and push or pull out any clogs that might be present in the pipe. It’s especially beneficial for removing hair or stubborn food particles clogging the drain.
6. Get Hold Of A Plumber’s Snake
In some cases, the wire hanger trick may fail to work if the blockage is present deep inside the drainage system. Using a plumber’s snake readily available in any hardware store, you may have better results.
Run the snake down the drain, twist it around a couple of times, grab on anything that might be causing the clog, and slowly pull it up. Follow it up by turning the faucet to ensure the water drains properly.
7. Clean The P-Trap
At times, you may have to clean the P-trap to the vertical and horizontal drain pipe and remove an entire clog. You will find the P-trap, the curved part of the pipe, hidden inside the cabinet under your sink.
Just place a bucket underneath or pan under the pipes, and detach the P-trap. You may use a plumber’s snake to clear out anything that might be causing the clog inside the pipe. Then, replace the P-trap and make sure it’s appropriately fastened. Finally, turn the faucet to run hot water to check if the clog has been removed from your clogged sink.
8. Prevent Clogs
Taking care of clogged kitchen sinks is a hassle, so doing your best to prevent them from happening is recommended. It would be best never to overload your sink’s garbage disposal or throw grease into it, which may lead to significant clogs. Also, clean the drain frequently by flushing it with boiling water to prevent clogs.
9. Take Help From Professionals
Don’t feel confident about opening up the P-trap or fiddling with the drainage system? No need to worry; you can always contact a local emergency plumbing service provider to get the kitchen sink unclogged. These companies usually have highly trained professionals who use the latest tools like electric drain augers to remove clogs without delay and unclog your kitchen sink and clogged drain.
Unclog A Kitchen Sink Before It Worsens
That’s everything we had to tell you about how you can unclog a kitchen sink. You may even use the techniques to remove clogs from other drains present in your home.
Remember to take proper care of your kitchen sink and avoid mindlessly throwing food scraps into it. It would be best if you were extra careful with sinks that don’t have a disposal system, as the slightest grease may clog up the pipes.
If your kitchen sink gets clogged frequently, do get it checked by a professional plumber. They might provide you with proper solutions to prevent future sink obstructions.
Fixed Fast Plumbing has a team of licensed plumbers who are highly trained and equipped with the right tools like a high-pressure jet blaster to clear stubborn blockages. We can also check your pipes with our CCTV Drain Cameras to ensure there are no other underlying problems that will give you a headache in the future. Contact now and book an appointment.
Until next time, goodbye, and take care!
