Is your kitchen sink clogged? Here’s how you can learn how to unclog the kitchen sink and fix it yourself. Never fear – many simple solutions are available to homeowners to fix and unclog a kitchen drain without calling a professional plumber. First, we need a clear picture that you have a clogged kitchen sink and if that’s the case, put some easy fixes in place and then see if you have a bigger problem for a plumber.
Signs of a Clogged Kitchen Drain
Here are some clear signs that your kitchen sink might have a clog.
- Slow Draining: If your sink is draining slowly that is the opposite of what should happen. This is a major sign that you have a clogged kitchen drain.
- Bad Odors: Are you noticing odd, stinky, or unpleasant odors coming from your drain? This often occurs before other obvious signs, so don’t ignore this one. You may be able to get a jump start on solving the issue before the clogged drain becomes a problem for a plumber.
- Gurgling sounds: Because the liquid is trying to get around a clog, the air bubbles trapped below the clog are popping up through the water while it tries to pass through the piping and make funny gurgling sounds.
- Visible Food Particles in the Sink after Running the Dishwasher: This is likely from the disposal and not just the drain, but definitely keep an eye on this indicator.
- Signs of water in places where there shouldn’t be water: The top indicator that your pipes are clogged or blocked in some way is when water won’t drain away as it should. If water is also leaking from somewhere else, this can force water out cracks in the pipes which can leak in all the wrong places.
If any or all of these things are going on at your home, there’s a good chance that left unchecked, your kitchen’s water supply or waste removal systems will soon fail and this is the time to call a professional plumber at Phend Plumbing.
3 Ways to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink
- Boiling Water: This is the easiest and least expensive solution of all, so let’s try this first. Pour an entire kettle of water into the sink and wait. If the water stands in the sink and the clog doesn’t move, give the water time to cool and remove it to try again.
- Boiling Water combined with Drain Cleaning: This combination will likely unclog the clog and solve the problem. You can use a variety of cleaning mixtures such as dishwashing detergent, lemon and also baking soda and white vinegar. Remember to remove standing water first. You can also use the vinegar method. Pour about a cup or so of baking soda into the drain, followed by an equal amount of white or apple cider vinegar. The solution will bubble, but when they subside, put the stopper in and wait about 15 minutes. Next, run hot water to see if the clog clears. Repeat if needed.
- Use a plunger: This can also be a quick easy fix, especially if something you know went down that shouldn’t have. Using a plunger to loosen up the clog doesn’t always work, but it may be enough to force the clog loose and push it through the piping.
If these don’t work you may need to check the P-Trap. The P-trap is at the curve of the drainpipe under the sink. At this point, you might want to give us a call. But if you want to keep going, start by placing a bucket underneath the drain to catch any water. Unfasten the P-trap from the drainpipe and clear out anything that is stuck. Replace and run water through it.
Check The Garbage Disposal
Since we all get overconfident of what our garbage disposal can handle, this may be the cause of your clogged sink. Similar to the steps of clearing a clog in a kitchen sink without a disposal, try those steps above for a kitchen sink drain first. Then, try these:
- Start by unplugging the garbage disposal. We don’t want any power going.
- Grab a flashlight to peer into the drain. If you see a foreign object in the drain like a bone or utensil, try to reach the item using a pair of tongs or pliers.
- Plug the garbage disposal back in, run water, and turn it on.
How To Prevent Kitchen Sink Clogs
We rely on our sinks for so much kitchen duty, so we may put more down the kitchen sink than we should. A disposal is not meant for all our kitchen scraps. Try these simple steps for prevention.
1. Save your cooking grease in a separate container, then toss it in the trash.
2. Throw coffee grounds in the garbage.
3. Install a screen or drain-grate to prevent soap scum and food debris from going into the drain.
After You’ve Tried Everything
Being able to take care of a clogged kitchen sink without having to call a plumber can be a good thing. If you think you might have a bigger problem that won’t unclog, call Phend Plumbing at 480-388-6093 for a free estimate and fast repair. We will get you and your kitchen up and running smoothly in no time.