Food debris and soap residue are drainage nightmares, making clogged kitchen sinks a common problem for homeowners. Luckily, unclogging a drain is also one of the simplest DIY home repairs you can try.
Here are seven ways to clear a clogged sink.
1. Boiling Water
In many cases, a few strong blasts of boiling water are all that’s needed to clear a blocked kitchen sink.
1st step: Bring a big pot of water to a boil. While waiting, take out as much water as possible from the sink.
2nd step: The boiling water should be carefully poured down the drain to loosen or break up the blockage.
3rd step: Recheck the drain, and repeat if needed.
2. Baking Soda And Vinegar
If the boiling water alone doesn’t work, you can try the technique of mixing baking soda and vinegar. This causes a bubbling reaction that breaks up bigger chunks of gunk, so they’ll flow down the drain quickly.
1st step: Start by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain.
2nd step: Pour one cup of white distilled vinegar down the drain.
3rd step: Allow to rest for at least an hour, then rinse with hot water.
3. Plunger
If those don’t work, now is the time to get the plunger!
1st step: Fill the sink about halfway with hot water. This makes a seal around the drain.
2nd step: Place the plunger over the drain and swiftly pump it up and down multiple times.
3rd step: Remove the plunger and wait to see whether the water drains.
Repeat the technique until the water drains freely. If the sink still isn’t draining correctly, you know the drill. It’s time to change methods.
4. Drain Snake
A plumber’s snake will be needed to break through the blockage for stubborn clogs. The device is designed with a long, spiraling snake that can be coiled and lowered into a drain. As soon as the snake hits a blockage, you can turn the handle to move and pull it out of the drain.
5. Coat Hanger
If your kitchen sink is clogged, a wire coat hanger might be a helpful tool. Though it won’t be as long as a plumber’s snake, it just might be able to clear up your kitchen sink’s drain.
1st step: Straighten a hanger wire
2nd step: Use it to either push through the blockage or remove it from the kitchen drain, stub pipe, or both if necessary.
6. Clean The P-Trap
If the water still doesn’t drain properly, there might be a clog in the P-trap, which is the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink.
1st step: Put a bucket down under the pipe. This will catch any liquid or objects from the P-trap when you open it.
2nd step: Remove the screws that hold the curved piece of the trap
3rd step: Take off the P-trap and clean the pipe to eliminate all the dirt and grime.
7. Use Hands
You can get a good look down the drain with a flashlight. Sometimes a clog is close to the surface and easy to see and get to. Wear some rubber gloves and try to get the clog out as best as possible.
If you’ve done all this and your sink still won’t drain, there may be a bigger problem. It’s time to give it up and set a time for a plumber to come and fix it for you. We at Bueno Plumbing can help you with any plumbing problems.
