Empowering yourself with a new skill is much better than seeking help every time. Especially when it comes to fixing things around the house such as plumbing and ways to unclog a kitchen sink. Clogs are difficult things but they are actually pretty straightforward in terms of resolution.
If you’re keen on learning about how to unclog a sink, we have some useful information to get you started. Here are eight ways to unclog a kitchen sink, most of which you could easily try for yourself!
1. Hot Water Flush
One way to unclog a kitchen sink is to use a hot water flush. Flushing the drain with boiling water is something you should try first if you ever notice a clogged or slow draining sink. Before pouring in the hot water, make sure you let all the standing water in the kitchen sink drain off first. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times to get the completely drain clog-free.
2. Baking Soda Formula
There are many home-made drain cleaners that use baking soda as an effective agent. A combination of vinegar and baking soda is very effective when it comes to ways to unclog a kitchen sink. If you’re short on vinegar, you can use salt too. Don’t forget to pour in lots of hot water after you’ve put the baking soda solution down the drain.
3. Checking The Garbage Disposal
This is more of a preventative measure than a solution to unclog a kitchen sink, but it’s also a common reason for clogged sinks in the first place. Often the garbage disposal is the root cause of a kitchen sink clog. You should always check the garbage disposal for any signs of trouble. Do a thorough inspection to ensure that the disposal is not clogged and is functioning properly.
4. P-trap
The P-trap is the curved part of the pipe under the kitchen sink. Sometimes the clog might be lodged in the P-trap. In such cases, simply flushing the sink with hot water will not yield favorable results. You can, however, unfasten the P-trap from the pipe and clean it out. Just remember, before removing the P-trap to try to unclog a kitchen sink, place a bucket underneath the pipes to catch any excess water from the drain.
5. Plunger
The plunger is an inexpensive and very useful household plumbing tool. Especially when it comes to ways to unclog a kitchen sink. Using a plunger is also pretty easy. Simply cover the drain opening with the plunger to create a tight seal. Then plunge it several times to create suction within the pipe. Within a few attempts, you should hear the distinct sound of suction clearing the drain.
6. Vacuuming
If you have a wet-dry vacuum, it can come in handy to unclog a kitchen sink clog. Set up the vacuum for wet use. Then, using the vacuum’s hose, create a tight seal at the drain opening. Set the vacuum at the highest power setting and turn it on. The pressure from the vacuum hose will break the clog soon enough.
7. Drain Snake
A drain snake or plumbing auger is another basic household tool used for cleaning clogged drain and pipes. It’s especially useful for accessing any clogs deep in the drains, beyond the stub pipe. To get started, open the p-trap to reach the stub pipe under your kitchen sink. Now you can use the drain snake to poke through the pipe and push the clog out of the way.
8. Wire Hanger
No drain snake? No problem. You can also use a wire clothes hanger to make your own drain snake. This is a very convenient hack for clogs that aren’t set far down the drain.
Simply straighten out the hanger except for its hook. Wrap some rag around the hook to save your drain from inadvertent scratches. Now use this apparatus to reach into the drainpipe. You’ll be able to break the clog effectively with a few maneuvers.
How to Prevent Clogs in Your Sinks
While there are many easy and effective ways to unclog a kitchen sink, you should never undermine the importance of maintaining the plumbing. Consider these tips for avoiding a clog altogether:
- Never put wastes that are likely to build a clog such as grease, coffee grounds, onion peels etc. in the garbage disposal.
- Cleanse the kitchen sink and drain with vinegar and baking soda every once in a while.
- Never use chemical drain cleaners. They will do more harm in the long run.
Final Thoughts on Ways to Unclog a Kitchen Sink
If you follow these simple ways to unclog a kitchen sink, we are sure that a clogged sink wouldn’t be much of a trouble for you at all!