Hello World! Welcome Friends! You are getting ready to do the dishes, and you realize your kitchen sink is clogged. The water is backing up, a strange smell is coming up from the drain, and there is nothing you can do. Or is there?
Of course, you could call a plumber so they can unclog your sink for you. However, if you have just noticed this clog, you might be able to get rid of it on your own. The key is to address the problem before it worsens and damages the pipes leading to the sink.
Here is what you should do when a kitchen sink gets clogged, using some items you probably already have at home:
Check if your Garbage Disposal Could be Responsible for the Clog
If you have a garbage disposal, the first thing you should do is check if it could be responsible for the sink clog. Simply run the disposal with hot water for 1 minute. Perhaps this will be enough to break the clog and clear it.
If the disposal won’t run at all, maybe it’s because it has overheated. In that case, you should reset the switch at the unit’s base before trying to run it again.
Try Removing the Clog with a Plunger
Using a sink plunger could be the easiest way to clear the clog that’s preventing you from doing the dishes. Place the base of the plunger around the sink drain, add some water to create a seal, and start pushing up and down.
Remove the plunger and check if the water is now able to go down the drain. You might need to use the plunger a few times to notice a difference. If you have a double sink, you should seal the second drain with a stopper or with a wet cloth while you are plunging.
Pour Some Boiling Water Down the Drain
If your plunger doesn’t work, you should try to dislodge the clog with some boiling water. Boil water in a kettle, or on a pot on your stove. Use a mug or a small bowl to remove standing water from the sink, and when the water is boiling, pour it directly down the drain.
If the water doesn’t drain, let it cool, remove it, and try again. However, if the pipes attached to the sink drain are made from PVC, you should not try this method as the boiling water might damage the pipes.
Use Salt and Boiling Water
If boiling water doesn’t solve your problem, maybe some table salt could help. Start by removing as much standing water as you can from your sink. Then, pour half a cup of salt down the drain.
Then, pour some boiling water, and wait a few minutes before running some hot water. Hopefully, the salt and boiling water will manage to dissolve the clog. Again, don’t use boiling water in your sink if you have PVC pipes.
Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
Instead of salt and boiling water, you could use baking soda and vinegar to try to clear the clog in your kitchen sink. Remove standing water and pour a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then, follow with a cup of white vinegar, and let this mixture fizz. Cover the drain with a stopper and wait.
The vinegar and baking soda will act like a natural drain cleaner and dissolve the clog. Wait 15 minutes, remove the stopper, and run some hot water to check if the problem is solved.
Use a Plumber’s Snake or Make your Own with a Coat Hanger
A plumber’s snake, which is also called an auger, is a tool plumbers can use to remove clogs. If you have one, try using it.
If you don’t have an auger, you can take a wire coat hanger, straighten it, and create some tiny hook on one end of the wire. Slowly insert it down the drain and try to either push the clog down the pipe or bring it up with your little hook.
Try Clearing the Clog with a Wet/Dry Vacuum
If you own a wet/dry vacuum, you could use it to remove whatever is stubbornly clogging your sink. Set your vacuum for wet use, put the hose on the drain, and create a seal around it with a wet cloth. Turn on the vacuum and see if it can remove the clog.
Take Measures to Prevent Future Clogs
If you are unable to clear the clog on your own, it’s time to call a plumber to the rescue. Then, once the problem is fixed, you should take a few simple measures to prevent future clogs. If you have a garbage disposal, be sure to never overload it, and to never put anything that isn’t organic down the drain.
Don’t pour oil, bacon grease, or coffee grounds down the drain, as these could instantly clog it. Dispose of them in a garbage can instead. Finally, run plenty of water down the drain after each use, and consider using a sink strainer to prevent food debris from causing future clogs.
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Toodles,
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