With a little know-how and elbow grease, you can DIY a lot of jobs around the home. We'll show you how to unclog a kitchen sink drain without having to hire a plumber.
When a blocked kitchen sink refuses to drain, you may feel powerless. It's tempting to go for the phone and contact the plumber to solve the issue for you when there's water backing up and a counter full of dirty dishes that need to be cleaned. But before you do that, have a look at these simple, do-it-yourself drain unclogging solutions. You've got this! Continue reading to find out how.
Do you need assistance unclogging your kitchen sink? Here is how we can do it:
Jump to:
- 1. Begin with a pot of boiling water
- 2. Inspect the waste disposal system
- 3. Use salt and water that has been brought to a boil.
- 4. Try baking soda and vinegar
- 5. Or try baking soda and salt
- 6. Get the plunger out
- 7. Make sure the P-trap is clean
- 8. Make use of a plumber's snake
- 9. Hang your clothes on a coat rack
1. Begin with a pot of boiling water
This is the simplest and least costly option, therefore it's the one you should attempt first. Here's how to do it:
Bring a kettle or saucepan of water to a roaring boil on the stove.
While you're waiting for the water to boil up, drain as much water as you can from the sink, using a cup or small container to do so.
Fill the sink with the whole kettle of water and set it aside for a few minutes. If the water in the sink does not drain, it indicates that the blockage is still there.
Allow five minutes for the water to cool before scooping off as much cooled water as possible using a small jug or container and disposing of it in a different sink or toilet.
Restart the procedure. It's possible that you'll have to repeat the procedure many times to clear the clog, but this method is effective for a wide range of obstructions.
2. Inspect the waste disposal system
One of the first things you should do is make sure the issue isn't caused by your trash disposal. Blocked disposal may quickly clog the drain, so try running it for a minute or two while hot water is flowing to see if the blockage is cleared. If it doesn't work, turn off the disposal and check it thoroughly to make sure it's working properly. You may need to restart the disposal at the base if it has overheated and shut off automatically. Under the sink, the base on/off switch is normally located on the side or bottom of the disposal unit.
3. Use salt and water that has been brought to a boil.
Pour roughly a half cup of table salt down the drain after draining as much standing water as possible from the sink. After that, add around a quart of boiling water into the pot. Allow it to settle for a few minutes before flushing the mixture with hot water to clear it.
4. Try baking soda and vinegar
Before you use this procedure, make sure there is no standing water. Pour a cup of baking soda and an equal quantity of white or apple cider vinegar down the drain. When the solution begins to bubble, place the stopper in place and wait approximately 15 minutes. After that, run hot water to check whether the blockage disappears. If the water is draining slowly, repeat the operation (this indicates that the blockage isn't completely cleared).
5. Or try baking soda and salt
Another combination that may help unclog sinks is this one. Pour roughly a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt down the drain. Allow the mixture to settle for a few hours before flushing with hot water. If this method does not work the first time, try it again.
6. Get the plunger out
If none of the above home cures have worked to clear your sink drain, it's time to utilize a simple household plunger. If you have a double sink, use a damp towel or a stopper to close the drain on the second sink. Fill the side of the sink you plan to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger and make a tight seal around it. Place the plunger firmly over the drain and plunge several times to clear it. Remove the plunger and flush the drain thoroughly with warm water for a few minutes after hearing the suction dislodge the blockage.
7. Make sure the P-trap is clean
The P-trap is located beneath the sink, generally within a cabinet, near the end of the drainpipe. To eliminate the blockage, you may need to clean the P-trap in your kitchen drain. Place a basin or bucket under the drain to collect any spilled water or debris. Remove the P-trap from the drainpipe and clean away any debris that has accumulated. Replace the P-trap and run warm water through the pipes for a few minutes (making sure all connections are tight and closed).
8. Make use of a plumber's snake
A plumber's snake, also known as an auger, is a useful tool for clearing blockages lodged farther down the drainage system beneath your kitchen sink. To uncover the "stub pipe" or "stub out" that runs under the cabinet wall, unscrew the drainpipe and P-trap that runs beneath the kitchen sink. Insert the snake into the pipe until you feel resistance and the obstruction is broken apart.
9. Hang your clothes on a coat rack
If you don't have a plumber's snake, you may use a straightened wire coat hanger as a replacement. It won't reach as far as a plumber's snake, but it could be long enough to clear certain obstructions. But if all else fails, it's worth a shot! If you can reach the blockage, insert the straightened hanger wire into the kitchen drain or stub pipe to push it through or pull it out. Make sure the cable doesn't scratch your sink.
Pour equal parts vinegar and baking soda into your sink on a regular basis, generally once or twice a month, to maintain it smelling fresh and running clean. You'll only need approximately half a cup of each for basic cleaning. Allow the mixture to settle for a few minutes before flushing it down the drain with warm water. Lemon juice may also be used for the same purpose. Alternatively, if you have trash disposal, put a few strips of lemon or orange rind down it and run it for approximately 30 seconds to ground them up. Allow the mixture to soak for five minutes before rinsing.
Of course, avoiding blockages in the first place is always preferable. If you have waste disposal in your kitchen, make sure it isn't overloaded. Add objects one at a time, and wait until they've thoroughly ground and run through before adding more. Know what you can and can't put down the trash disposal, and never pour bacon grease, coffee grinds, or oils down the sink. Also, after each usage, be sure to run lots of water down the drain. To keep things operating properly, it's critical to understand how to maintain and care for all of your home's plumbing components and systems.
