There are few feelings worse than needing to rush through your morning routine and encountering a slow-moving drain. Clogged sinks can be stinky and inconvenient while also potentially causing water backups. Fortunately, unclogging a kitchen sink is often one of the easiest home repairs.
There are countless causes of clogged drains, including a buildup of coffee grounds, grease, and other food particles. You can learn how to unclog a kitchen sink drain quickly and easily, no matter the reason. Here are five tips to unclog your kitchen sink.
Inspect the Garbage Disposal
Before we dive into hands-on tips to unclog your kitchen sink, consider inspecting your garbage disposal. Try letting the garbage disposal run for a few minutes to see if the disposal is potentially malfunctioning. If the disposal isn’t working properly, it won’t grind up food particles, which can lead to a blockage.
Once the problem has been repaired by a professional, remember to maintain the disposal regularly. Chopping ice cubes with your disposal can help keep the device running in peak condition.
Try Pouring Boiling Water
Is your garbage disposal working properly? If so, then it’s time to discuss effective drain cleaning methods. If you want to learn how to unclog a kitchen sink drain with a method that involves little effort, boiling water might be your answer.
Boiling water is a clogged kitchen sink hack that many homeowners swear by. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then slowly and carefully pour the boiling water down the affected drain. Repeat the process a few times if necessary to remove the blockages. For the best results, follow this by pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain.
Additionally, don’t pour boiling water down your drain if you have PVC pipes. This hot water can potentially damage your pipes.
Use Baking Soda & Vinegar
One clogged kitchen sink home remedy you can try is a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
Pour one cup of baking soda down the affected drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. Next, cover the drain and let the mixture sit for up to 15 minutes. Afterward, flush the drain with hot water. You might feel tempted to tackle clogged drains with a chemical cleaner, but this DIY method will be gentler on your pipes.
There are still many more useful tips to unclog your kitchen sink.
Consider Plunging the Clog
If you don’t have any baking soda and vinegar on hand, you can still learn how to unclog a kitchen sink drain. For instance, a plunger could be the most effective method if you have a smaller clog. First, remove any standing water from the clogged sink with a bowl or cup. If you have double sinks, you want to seal off the clog-free drain with a plug.
Now it’s time to use the plunger. Place the plunger cup over the affected drain and quickly plunge up and down. If this method removes the clog, flush the drain afterward with hot water.
Use a Plumbing Snake
Was your plunger ineffective at removing the blockage? You might want to try using a plumbing snake. You can purchase a manual or electric drain snake at a local home improvement store.
To use a plumbing snake, insert the snake into the clogged drain until you feel resistance. Next, crank the snake to collect the blockage. Once you have a hold on the obstruction, you can remove the snake from the drain. If this method doesn’t work, you might need to clean the P-trap.
While there are several tips to unclog your kitchen sink, some methods are better left to a drain cleaning expert. If you don’t feel comfortable using a drain snake, contact Spencer Home Services for our professional clogged drain services.
Contact Us
Consider using one of these tips to unclog your kitchen sink the next time you encounter a slow drain. However, some tough clogs might have you calling a plumber instead. If you need a professional drain repair in Peabody, MA, we can help.
Founded by Peter Holland, Spencer Home Services is a reputable and experienced company you can trust. Our team of experts knows how to unclog a kitchen sink drain with ease and expertise. Contact us to schedule a drain cleaning service today!
