How to Clear Out a Clogged Kitchen Sink
We are able to empathise with you if you have ever found yourself in the position of feeling helpless and frustrated as a result of a clogged kitchen sink. But, you don’t have to let hopelessness win. You will be able to unclog your sink and experience a sense of fulfilment once you have completed this task by following these easy steps.
- Perform a test of the disposal for rubbish.
If you find that the drain in your kitchen sink is clogged, one of the first things you should do is clear out the garbage disposal. Try using the garbage disposal for a minute or two while hot water is running in the sink to see if this can unclog the drain. If it doesn’t work, make sure the garbage disposal is turned off and give it a thorough inspection to make sure it’s working properly once you turn it back on.
It is possible that you will need to restart the disposal from the base if it has been overheated and has automatically shut off. The “on” and “off” switch for the disposal unit is often located on the side or bottom of the device, which is located underneath the sink.
Find out more about the different things that can be thrown down a garbage disposal, as well as natural deodorants that can be used to keep the disposal smelling clean and fresh.
- Take the plunger out of the drawer.
If running hot water through the disposal and cleaning it out didn’t help unclog your kitchen sink, it’s time to get a plunger from your local hardware store. You will need a smaller plunger for the kitchen sink than the one you use for the toilet, so head over to the hardware store in your neighbourhood to pick one up.
First, if you have a double sink, stop the flow of water from one of the drains by plugging it with a damp cloth or a stopper. Because you will need to make a watertight seal around the plunger, fill the side of the sink that you will be plunging with enough water such that it completely covers the plunger’s bell. Put the plunger in a secure position over the drain, and then plunge it quickly and repeatedly multiple times. When you hear the sound of the clog being cleared by the suction, remove the plunger from the sink drain and flush it well with warm water for a couple of minutes.
- Boiling Water pot.jpg
If the plunger does not clear the clog in the kitchen sink, the best alternative is to attempt draining the sink with boiling water because it is the simplest and least expensive option available. The following steps will show you how to clean your drain using boiling water:
Put some water in a kettle or a saucepan and put it on the stove so that it can come to a full boil.
While you are waiting for the water to boil up, you should empty out as much of the water that is standing in the sink as you can. You can use a cup or a small saucepan to do this.
The entire contents of the kettle should be poured into the sink, where it should be let to rest for a few minutes. If water continues to pool in the sink after attempts to drain it, the obstruction is still present.
After allowing the water to sit and cool for around five minutes, remove it by scooping out as much cooled water as possible using the mug or pot, and then discarding it in a different sink.
It is possible that you will need to carry out the operation a number of times in order to dislodge the clog, but this method is typically effective in removing many different kinds of obstructions.
- To make a homemade drain cleaner, you can use items from your pantry.
Did you know that in order to unclog your kitchen sink, you don’t necessarily need to use harsh cleaning products? It’s possible that a natural drain cleaner is already in your kitchen waiting to be used. Here are some concepts to consider:
Make use of salt and water that is boiling. Salt can sometimes be used to clear a drain that has become clogged. After getting rid of as much standing water as you can in the sink, pour approximately half a cup of table salt down the drain. After that, add approximately a quart of water that has been brought to a boil. After allowing it to sit for a few minutes, flush the mixture with hot water in order to thoroughly clean it.
You might try cleaning the drain with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Before you attempt this method, make sure that there is no water left standing in the sink. Put approximately a cup of baking soda down the drain, and then pour an equal amount of either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar after it. When the bubbling in the solution stops, put the stopper in place and wait around 15 minutes. The solution will soon begin to bubble. The next step is to test whether or not the clog can be removed by using hot water. If the water is draining, but at a slower rate than usual (which indicates that the clog has not been completely cleared yet), repeat the operation one more time.
Use baking soda and salt. Pour the slurry that results from combining approximately one cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt down the drain. After allowing the mixture to sit for a few hours, flush it with water that has been brought to a boil. If this method does not remove the obstruction, you will need to try it again.
- You should use a coat hanger.
If your kitchen sink is clogged, a coat hanger made of wire might be an extremely useful item. It won’t be able to reach as far into the plumbing of your kitchen sink as a plumber’s snake would, but it might be long enough to get to some of the obstructions.
If you are able to access the clog, use the hanger wire that has been straightened to break through it or pull it out of the stub pipe that leads to the kitchen drain. Take extra precautions to ensure that the cable does not nick your sink.
To assist you in getting rid of the sludge, you might also consider purchasing a drain clog remover tool made of plastic. This device was created to assist in the removal of hair from a slow-draining sink or shower, but it can also be used to trap tenacious food particles in a kitchen sink that is clogged. Just remember to move slowly and carefully because the thin plastic can easily break off, which can lead to even more issues.
- You might also use a plumber’s snake.
If the coat hanger did not solve the problem, you should go to the hardware shop and get a plumber’s snake. A plumber’s snake, which is also known as an auger, is a useful instrument that may be used to clear obstructions that are further down the drainage system that is located beneath your kitchen sink.
To reveal the “stub pipe” or “stub out” that runs behind the cabinet wall, you will need to disassemble the drainpipe and P-trap that runs underneath the kitchen sink. This will allow you to see what is running behind the cabinet wall. When you reach this point, you will begin feeding the snake into the pipe until you feel resistance. This will allow you to break up the clog.
- Make sure the P-trap is clean.
The P-trap is located in the curved portion of the pipes that run to your kitchen sink. It is typically concealed within a cabinet. It’s possible that clearing the clog will require cleaning the P-trap in your kitchen drain.
The first thing you need to do is position a container underneath the drain to collect any water or debris that may escape.
The P-trap should then be disconnected from the drainpipe, and any debris that has become lodged inside should be removed.
In the end, you need to reinstall the P-trap, double check that all of the connections are secure, and then let warm water run through the pipes for a few minutes.
- Make avoiding problems your top objective.
Clogs in the drain of the sink are a common problem, but there are certain things you can do to avoid their happening. If you have a waste disposal in the kitchen, make sure not to overload it. A small amount of an item should be fed into the machine at a time, and you should wait until it has ground and processed everything before adding more. For optimal performance from your garbage disposal, be sure to follow these important maintenance and cleaning steps.
Under no circumstances should you ever pour bacon grease, coffee grounds, or oils down the sink or down the disposal of your garbage disposal. In addition to this, make it a habit to flush a substantial amount of water down the drain after each usage.
It is essential to have a good understanding of how to maintain and care for all of the plumbing components and systems in your home in order to keep everything operating efficiently.