The Dos and Don’ts of Clearing a Clogged Sink Unclogging your kitchen or bathroom sink doesn’t have to be a job for the professionals. "I tried the plunger method first, it worked. You can also mix the detergent with normal water and then, add boiling water, after a few minutes. This article has been viewed 2,538,167 times. For routine cleaning, you’ll just need about one-half cup of each. Collect this waste in disposable containers or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle. This is where you insert the snake into the pipe until you feel resistance to break up the clog. If your sink is still clogged, read below for advice on how to drain the drain trap! The first step to clearing a clogged kitchen sink is to use a plunger. Before you do, read these easy, do-it-yourself ways to unclog that drain. ", fizz abundantly in contact with the vinegar, it's old and will be less effective. Leave the soda for a couple of minutes and wash it down with boiling water. Next, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. Unfortunately, I have dealt with a clogged and smelly kitchen sink drain more than I would have liked to. Then, pour the entire kettle of water into the sink and wait. If you don't have a flat-bottomed plunger, you can also try using a wire coat hanger to unclog your kitchen sink. % of people told us that this article helped them. Kitchen Sink Clogged Past Trap: How can I fix it? It could have clogged because of the breakfast bacon fat you lazily washed down the sink or the leftover rice off your plates. You may need to repeat the process several times to move the clog, but this often works on many types of stoppage. Cable augers can be very long. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow. If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposer, it's very probable that the food residue from washing dishes caused your clog. At least a small amount of water will drain into the bucket.Inspect the pipe you’ve removed and use a wire coat hanger to push any debris out. Feed items in a little at a time, and wait until they grind and run through completely before adding more. Turn on the hot water and see if the sink drains. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Thank you. If all else fails, it might be time to call a plumber. Luckily, there are a lot of easy ways to unclog your drain! This is how to clean a kitchen sink drain in no time flat! "I used the method that recommended that I seal the unclogged drain in a double-sink situation with a wash towel to, "I always find wikiHow helpful. With a few inexpensive tools and a little practice you can clear up all but the most stubborn drain clogs in less than an hour. After removing standing water from the sink, pour about ½ cup of table salt down the drain before you pour in the boiling water. I ran the garbage disposal, but it's still clogged. Although most food types are in theory capable of causing clogs, there are some foods that are much worse offenders than others. What Causes a Kitchen Sink Drain to Become Clogged? Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs. Did you know you can read premium answers for this article? Persistence, as recommended. Run water in the clogged sink to tell if you’ve removed the obstruction. Mix about a cup of baking soda with a half-cup of salt, and pour down the drain. What can I pour down a drain to unclog it? Of course, it’s always easier to avoid clogs in the first place. But faced with the problem, you always look for an easy way out and call a plumber. Thank you. When you encounter a covered plumbing problem, no matter how big or how small, contact AHS for help. 1/2 cup baking soda ; 1 cup white vinegar; 1 cup water, plus more for boiling; A pot; tb1234. You can also use lemon juice for the same purpose. Use the tub stopper or a steaming hot cloth to cover the drain for about 30 minutes, then plunge the sink until the clog is removed. Support wikiHow by … On double-basin sinks, it helps to seal one drain opening while you plunge the other. What should I do? By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. First, pour 1 cup (180 g) of baking soda down the drain. Insert the hooked end of the hanger into the drain as far as you can, and wiggle it up and down while twisting it to help break up the clog. It worked. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. The standing water in my kitchen sink was gone in minutes. valid), Home Automation and Technology Ideas and Tips, I'm a A clogged kitchen sink drain is not anyone’s idea of fun. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Although using a plunger may appear to be self-explanatory, it is possible to use it incorrectly. Can you use a plunger to unclog a kitchen sink? If you can't unscrew the pipes by hand, then use a pipe wrench or channel locks to loosen the connections. 10 July 2020. To keep your sink smelling fresh and running clear, pour in equal parts of vinegar and baking soda on a regular basis. 9. Your kitchen sink takes more abuse than any other drain in your house. Can you pour Drano down the kitchen sink? I suggest using a plunger as well. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Allow the solution to react with whatever causes the clog. Check to make sure it’s not your garbage disposal that's causing the problem. It may be necessary to clean your kitchen drain’s P-trap to clear the clog. Now and then homeowners end up with a stinking clogged kitchen sink with no idea of how it happened. If the auger meets resistance again, continue pulling the cable out and cranking the handle clockwise until the cable catches on the clog. Yes, you can avoid flushing down the kitchen scraps down the garbage disposal, but the sink can still get clogged. DIY home projects are great for saving money and enjoying a good challenge, but these household projects are better left for professionals. unlocking this staff-researched answer. ", to work and it's really better then not waiting. a real estate professional, Don’t Call The Plumber Just Yet: 9 Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Drain, A Guide To Leaks, Clogs, And Other Plumbing Issues You Can Fix, 5 Home Maintenance Tasks You're Probably Forgetting to Do, 7 Common Oven Problems and How to Fix Them. Let the baking soda and white vinegar fizz for 15 minutes, then run hot water to flush out the clog. It’s important to know how to maintain and care for your all your home's plumbing components and systems to keep things running smoothly. If you’re already an AHS member, we’re here for you when you need us. Then, pour in 1 cup (235 mL) of white vinegar. Can I use boiling water to help unplug my kitchen sink if I have PVC pipes? We have a tendency to use our kitchen sink as a garbage can. It's about 25 feet long and comes in a reel that can be attached to a power drill. If all of your DIY efforts don't work, stoppages in the sink, bathtub, shower and toilets may be covered by an American Home Shield plumbing warranty depending on the cause. If your sink is still clogged, read below for advice on how to drain the drain trap! Place coffee grounds in a … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. If your sink has a garbage disposal, try turning it on to see if that breaks up the clog. Can I use a plunger in a sink that has a garbage disposal? If I used Drano and the sink is still clogged, can I use baking soda and vinegar to unclog my sink? ", "It is nice and helpful for me. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before running some warm water down the drain. You’ll need to create a tight seal around the plunger, so fill the side of the sink you intend to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. I used method 1 (pouring hot water in the sink and plunging), and, "I only knew of one of these methods before reading this article, but I forgot the order in which to perform set, "I've always used the vinegar and baking soda method. Any reputable plumber would have a long auger somewhere, even if he/she didn't have it in the truck. 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