Easy Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

The clogged kitchen sink is one of the most common drainages that most homeowners face and it can be a nightmare. Food trash and soap residue are mostly the culprits of clogging. However, you do not have to worry because a clogged sink is also one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix. Before getting help from plumber Dural, try some easy steps to resolve the issue.

Now, before you begin with your DIY fixing, make sure to avoid using chemicals. Chemicals often cause more damage to your plumbing system even if it solves the clogging. Plus it could harm your skin or your eyes caused by splashing. So, avoid these problems by using household items.

Here are some easy ways to fix the clog in your kitchen sink.

Boiling water

This is the first easy approach. Most clogs in the kitchen sink are caused by the combination of grease, soap residue and water. These are usually trapped below the drain opening. A pot of boiling water may be all you need. Just pour the boiling water directly down the drain. This method may dissolve the blockage. This is the simplest method and your first approach if you are trying to unclog your kitchen sink. Remember, hot water won’t fix this issue. It has to be boiling water.

Here are the steps:

• Put a gallon of water in your pot to boil on your stove. You can also use your kettle to boil the water.When the water reaches its boiling point, carefully pick up the pot and directly pour the boiling water into the drain opening.
• Turn the faucet and check if the water is draining. If the water is still not draining or draining but slowly, repeat the process.

CAUTION: Boiling water is only for metal pipes. If you have PVC (plastic) pipes, do not use boiling water as it can damage or melt the plastic. For PVC pipes, proceed with using a plunger.

Plunger

A plunger is used if the sink is plugged caused by a large obstruction or if no liquid will flow through because it has become so clogged. Two types of plungers are used for household use, the cup plunger and the toilet plunger. It is ideal to use the cup plunger for this type of job. With your plunger ready, follow the below steps:

• Fill the sink with several inches of water. This will help the plunger to create a tight seal.
• Position the cup plunger over the drain opening and make sure it has a tight seal against the surface. Start pumping up and down quickly for several times to clear the obstruction.
• Lift the plunger and observe if the water drains. Let the faucet run for a few minutes after the drain is clear to make sure that it has been fixed.
• You may need to repeat the process until the water drains freely.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

This is the natural alternative for harsh chemical drain cleaners. It’s very convenient as these items are likely to present in your kitchen. All you need is a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar. Here is the process:

• Remove water from the sink using a cup or a bowl.Use a spatula or spoon to pour the baking soda down the drain. Make sure to push the powder into the drain.
• Pour the vinegar down the drain opening.
• Cover the drain opening and let eh mixture sit for at least 15minutes.
• Remove the cover and pour hot water down the drain. You can also pour boiling water to break severe clogs.

Note that this method doesn’t always give a 100% success rate. However, it is always worth trying. And if you are making progress with this approach, you can repeat the process to break down the blockage.

Clean the P-trap

If clogging still persists after the above methods, the problem might be in the P-trap. This is the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Debris, grease and food scraps might be stuck in the pipe causing your kitchen sink drain slowly or not at all. This method requires you to disassemble the pipe to clean the gunk, so you have to prepare as this procedure can be a little dirty. Use gloves, goggles and towels for this approach. Once you are ready, follow these steps:

• Put a bucket underneath the elbow pipe. Any water or debris can fall onto the bucket when you open the pipe.
• Unscrew any connectors that hold the curved pipe. It can be found on either end of the P-trap.
• Remove the P-trap and clean the pipes properly, removing any debris, grime or grease.
• Reconnect the pipes.
• Turn the faucet on and see if the water drains properly.

If you’ve reached this point and the issue is still not fixed, there could be a big problem at play. It’s time to schedule an appointment with plumbing services in Dural. Having professional plumbers to work in your kitchen can save you time and trouble when the above guides seem to be not working.

Once your kitchen sink is draining completely, make sure to do precautionary measures to avoid clogging in the future. Avoid disposing of items such as food scraps, oil, grease and fat down the drain. You can also practice running hot water down the drain after each use to keep everything clear.