Your day can turn upside down if your kitchen sink is clogged.
Whether you have a single kitchen sink or a double kitchen sink, a slow-draining sink is no fun at all.
Or even worse, a kitchen sink that will not drain at all can bring the kitchen to a halt.
But don’t worry!
There are plenty of ways to unclog your sink without needing an expert.
Unclogging your sink takes only simple tools and techniques that will get the job done in no time, and this guide will show you how.
Why Is Your Kitchen Sink Clogged? Understanding the Causes of Sink Clogs
A clogged kitchen sink is often caused by a build-up of grease, food particles, and debris.
Here’s a deeper look at some common culprits:
Grease and Food Scraps: Grease, oils, and food residues accumulate in the pipe as time passes. These substances can bind together and produce a blockage.
Soap Build-Up: Soap, along with grease, forms a sticky deposit that adheres to the kitchen sink drain, reducing water flow and causing blockages.
Debris in the Garbage Disposal: A sink with a garbage disposal might become backed up by food bits or even non-food items that shouldn’t be in the sink to begin with.
Foreign Objects: Utensils, plastic pieces, or sometimes even jewelry can end up in the sink and get trapped in the drain.
How to Know When Your Kitchen Sink is Clogged
Well, it is beneficial to be aware of the early indications of a blocked sink before the issue worsens:
- Slow Drainage: If the water in the sink is slowly draining, it could be an indication that there is a sink clog in your pipes.
- Water Backing Up: If water backs up into the sink, especially when using your garbage disposal, you may have a deeper blockage in the drainpipe.
- Foul Smells: Another problem with a slow-draining kitchen sink is foul smells, as food residue and water stagnate in the pipes
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink: Step-by-Step Solutions
Need to unclog your kitchen sink? That’s a hassle, but most clogs are minor issues. You just need simple tools or techniques to fix them.
Boiling water, a plunger, or a drain snake this section covers easy, effective steps to get your sink flowing again.
Let’s dive in!
1. Start with Boiling Water to Break Down the Clog
What You Need: Hot water and your kitchen sink.
What it does: Boiling water is effective in breaking down grease and food particles that have led to a clogged sink.
Steps:
- Boil a large pot of water.
- Pour the boiling water slowly down the drain and allow it to loosen up any blockage.
- Give it five minutes, and see if the water is draining as it should.
Tip: If your blockage is from grease or soap buildup, boiling water is a very simple and easy yet effective option.
2. Use a Plunger to Dislodge the Clog
What You Need: A plunger and determination
How it works: A plunger creates suction inside the drainpipe, moving the clog along down the plumbing in order to flush the blockage out.
Steps:
- Add plenty of water to the sink so that the cup of the plunger is submerged.
- Push up all the way down, then pull up fast.
- Repeat this many times, and check if the water gets drained after every time.
Note: In the case of a high-sided double kitchen sink, be sure to plug one side so the drain has the utmost possible suction.
3. Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
What You Need: Baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water.
What it does: The chemical reaction that happens when vinegar and baking soda are mixed together breaks up organic matter and clears away the pipe.
Steps:
- Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drain.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of vinegar and let it fizz.
- Leave it over a drain for around 30 minutes.
- Boil a pot of water and pour it down the drain to wash away the debris.
Note: This is a safe and natural way to remove the blockage and keep future blockages at bay.
4. Use a Drain Snake to Clear the Drain
What You Need: A drain snake or auger.
How it works: How it works: Use a drain snake to break up deeper clogs that are impossible to flush away using boiling water or a plunger.
Steps:
- Twist and push the drain snake down into the pipe.
- The clog is likely where you start to feel resistance.
- Rotating the snake to smash the rubble.
- Catch the snake, then rinse it out well.
Tip: If your sink has a P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under your sink), using a drain snake can help clear clogs that have formed further down the pipe.
5. Check and Clean the P-Trap
What You Need: A wrench, a bucket, and gloves.
How it works: The sink’s p-trap captures all debris and holds smells. It tends to get clogged with grease, food and other debris over time.
Steps:
- Put a bucket underneath the P-trap to catch water or grime.
- Unscrew the P-trap nuts with a wrench.
- Devitrify the trap and rinse it well.
- Put the trap back together and see if the sink part is draining any better.
Tip: If you’re not sure how to remove the trap under the sink, there are tutorials online, and you can also visit Home Depot for guidance or tools.
When to Call a Plumber
If the above methods for unblocking the sink in the kitchen do not help, or if the blockage occurs again, it is better to call a professional plumber. Below are some signs that you need a plumber:
Still Clogged:
If the water just won’t go down after multiple attempts, then the clog might be farther down into the drainpipe and possibly need advanced devices used to access it.
Backed-Up Water in Other Sinks:
If your bathroom sink or other drains are backed up, it may point to a larger issue, a clog in the main sewer line.
This can involve many rooms in your home and may require specialized equipment.
Bad Odors:
If there continues to be a bad smell after attempting proper home-remedy procedures, a serious blockage or difficulty with the vent or drain line causing the scent to come back through the sink may be present.
Have a plumber check and fix it so it does not happen in the future.
If you are in West San Fernando Valley or Ventura County, Drains Pro Venture is offering assistance. Our plumbers are well versed in everything from kitchen sink clogs to sink clogs.
Please also feel free to reach out to us if your clog just won’t go away!
How to Prevent Future Clogs
Here is what you have to do to not repeat the experience of a clogged kitchen sink.
- Don’t Pour Grease Down the Drain: Grease is an ideal drain culprit, as it hardens in the pipes.
- Use a Drain Cover: A drain cover prevents the food or debris from going inside the drain.
- Run Hot Water After Use: Flush the drain with running hot tap water after you use it to wash away grease or food debris.
- Clean Your Garbage Disposal: If your sink has a garbage disposal, make sure that it is cleaned properly to prevent it from getting clogged up.
Conclusion: Fixing a Clogged Kitchen Sink Like a Pro
A clogged kitchen sink can ruin your day! Because, besides the intervention with boiling water and a plunger, there is also the option with a drain snake.
With some basic knowledge, you will be able to clear the clog and have your sink working properly in no time! When nothing works, just call them a professional plumber.
Drains Pro Venture provides professional drain cleaning services in West San Fernando Valley and Ventura County.
We can be of assistance if you experience a slow-draining sink or if you require routine maintenance to ensure your drains run as they should.
FAQs
Can I use chemical drain cleaners like Liquid Plumber?
They work but can damage pipes if used frequently, as they are a chemical cleaner. We always recommend natural methods first.
What should I do if my sink is draining very slowly?
Use hot boiling water or vinegar and baking soda. In the case that these do not work, then look at the P-trap or use a drain snake.
Can I use a drain snake in a sink with a garbage disposal?
Yes! Be sure the garbage disposal is disconnected and that nothing is clogging up the drain.
How often should I clean my P-trap?
P-traps should be cleaned once every couple of months to prevent accumulation that can lead to future blockages.
What should I do if my kitchen sink is not draining?
If your kitchen sink is not draining, follow these steps to fix it:
- Look beneath the sink for any visible clogs.
- Boiling water will help to extinguish fat and food residues through the drain.
- Use a plunger or drain snake to remove the obstruction.
- If it is not working, you must use chemical drain openers such as Drano.
If this proves unsuccessful, the clog is deeper down the pipe, and you need to call an expert.
How can I fix a double sink that’s clogged?
Follow these steps to unclog your double sink:
- Run water to check if both sides are affected and note the water level.
- Pour hot water down the drain to break down grease or food particles.
- Check under the sink for any visible obstructions.
- Use a plunger or drain snake to clear the blockage.
When the clog penetrates deeper into the drainpipe or inside the vertical and horizontal drainpipe, it will require a heavy-duty drain-cleaning tool or you to call a professional.
Is there a way to prevent kitchen sink clogs permanently?
Regular drain cleaning, simply putting a drain cover to keep out food waste, and never pouring down grease to cool down can help with keeping your kitchen sink drain clear!
