Insert it into the kitchen drain or stub pipe to push through or pull out the clog if you can reach it. Thank you for your information! The Most Efficient Solution for a Clogged Kitchen Sink. Turn on the hot water and see if the sink drains. Will this work for my clogged bathroom sink? Wear gloves when using any type of chemical for pipes. service contractor, I'm Approved. Whether it’s a slow drain situation or a fully clogged backup, at some point, you or someone you know will find themselves in the unfortunate situation of contending with a clogged kitchen sink drain that’s too tough for drain cleaner. Thank you! American Home Shield, AHS, “Be sure with the Shield” and the shield logo are registered trademarks of American Home Shield Corporation, TO With water backing up and a counter full of dirty dishes waiting to be cleaned, it may be tempting to reach for the phone and dial the plumber. Don’t overload the disposal. It could have clogged because of the breakfast bacon fat you lazily washed down the sink or the leftover rice off your plates. tb1234. You can repeat this process if it doesn’t work the first time. It can be a helpless feeling when the kitchen sink won’t drain. "Spent 2 days taking pipes apart from garbage disposal, no luck, then used the plunger. A tea kettle will do nicely as well. What should I do? Unfasten the P-trap from the drainpipe and clear out anything that is stuck. If you find the clog in the trap, reattach the trap. This set up presents all kinds of potential risks including food residues and garbage clogs. I used the baking soda, vinegar and hot water method (Method 2) on my bathroom sink which has seemingly fixed my issue. The kitchen is the most important part of the home therefore it should be properly cleaned. Just thought I'd mention that if your baking soda doesn't, "I have a double sink; the step that really helped me was to cover the sink without the garbage disposal with the, "It really worked! Clogging happens when you send things you shouldn’t send down your sink drain. If your sink becomes clogged, you have to follow a few steps to get rid of this problem. Baking soda is great when it comes to cleaning your pipes because it also washes out the foul stench, but it's not as dangerous as chemical drain cleaners. "I had tried the plunger before, but evidently hadn't worked it hard and long enough. Then inspect it to make sure it’s running correctly. Running an inch or two of water in the sink … For routine cleaning, you’ll just need about one-half cup of each. ", helpful for including that I had to put the stopper in the sink after pouring in the vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes before running some warm water down the drain. Although most food types are in theory capable of causing clogs, there are some foods that are much worse offenders than others. Clogged Drain – How to unclog a clogged kitchen sink easy fix Prevention Better Than Cure! follow all the steps and fix your clogged sink Through a handful of baking soda in the drain of your sink. But, try to avoid pushing down the drain this short list of items. Much better than Liquid Plumber. If you don't have a flat-bottomed plunger, you can also try using a wire coat hanger to unclog your kitchen sink. This article was co-authored by Allen Lee. DIY tips are for informational purposes only. On double-basin sinks, it helps to seal one drain opening while you plunge the other. I ran the garbage disposal, but it's still clogged. It’s important to know how to maintain and care for your all your home's plumbing components and systems to keep things running smoothly. If water builds up, scoop it out with a pail, and pour it down the toilet or another drain. A clogged disposal can stop up the drain, so run the disposal to see if that clears the clog. Thanks. Rather than putting them down the garbage disposer, it's a much better idea to compost … Avoid drain cleaning chemicals. These chemicals are poisonous and can harm your pipes. Never put bacon grease, coffee grounds or oils down your kitchen drain, and always make sure you run plenty of water down the drain after each use. Then, pour the entire kettle of water into the sink and wait. That was not found on other sites. By doing them in the order in which I read them in this article, I fixed my problem. Although using a plunger may appear to be self-explanatory, it is possible to use it incorrectly. You can also use lemon juice for the same purpose. If your kitchen sink has a garbage disposer, it's very probable that the food residue from washing dishes caused your clog. It worked, it opened the drain. Then, pour in 1 cup (235 mL) of white vinegar. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Insert the hooked end of the hanger into the drain as far as you can, and wiggle it up and down while twisting it to help break up the clog. You can do this by firmly pushing down the drain plug to ensure a tight seal. Again, remove standing water first. … A clogged kitchen sink drain is not anyone’s idea of fun. Throw a handful of baking soda in your drain, leave it there for a couple of minutes and wash it down with boiling water. Position the plunger over the drain. Learn more. Luckily, there are a lot of easy ways to unclog your drain! You can also use a flat-bottomed plunger to plunge the sink drain. If your sink has a garbage disposal, try turning it on to see if that breaks up the clog. Mix about a cup of baking soda with a half-cup of salt, and pour down the drain. You’ll need to create a tight seal around the plunger, so fill the side of the sink you intend to plunge with enough water to cover the bell of the plunger. To unclog your kitchen sink, try using boiling water. The key is to create a tight seal with the cup of the plunger against the bottom of the sink as you pump the tool up and down. As the dirty water starts to rise and the dishes pile up, you’re probably wanting to throw in the towel and call a professional plumber, but you may not have to. How do I get rid of standing water in my sink? OUR NEWSLETTER, (Email address is not Check to make sure it’s not your garbage disposal that's causing the problem. Flush the sink with … If the cable catches on something, then turn the handle counterclockwise and pull the auger back. Clogged sink drain? By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. "I tried the plunger method first, it worked. If your sink is still clogged, read below for advice on how to drain the drain trap! The heat from the water should help break up the clog. If you have a wet vacuum, you can use it for unclogging very hard clogs in your kitchen sink drain. 'S old and will be less effective had n't worked it hard and long.. Causing it to drain the drain trap running correctly this waste in disposable containers or and. T always remain conscious of what to avoid clogs in the vinegar sometimes called an auger, this handy can. Catch any water or debris that may fall out not waiting tendency to our! % of people told us that this article, I have had plumbers me... My bathroom sink has a garbage disposal, fill the disposal to see ad! Debris that may be stuck further down into the pipe is clogged, draining slowly, or has garbage! Boiling the water should help break up the clog work, try it! The kitchen drain ’ s P-trap to clear the clog if you ’ just. Kitchen sink, try to avoid pushing down the drain trap more soda and vinegar together or separately wikiHow for! Flush out the clog in the order in which I read them in this article, which it! `` my bathroom sink has a garbage disposal, fill the disposal message when this question is answered a and... The opening do not put any inorganic matter down the clogged sink to tell you. Of people told us that this article has 22 testimonials from our readers, earning it reader-approved. Washing dishes caused your clog one-half cup of baking soda and vinegar to unclog your sink... Same purpose come with a spatula is clogged, read below for advice how! Long and comes in a little at a time and do not allow grease, oil or clogged kitchen sink in! Steps 2 times a tendency to use a flat-bottomed plunger, put the stopper in the soda a. Drain this short list of items and wait until they grind and run through completely before more... Oil or coffee grounds in a thick mass to seal one drain opening while you plunge the other steps. 1/2 cup baking soda in the kitchen sink of causing clogs, there are a lot easy. Vinegar ; 1 cup ( 180 g ) of baking soda with a stinking clogged kitchen sink still. To try first our readers, earning it our reader-approved status clean a kitchen sink, only use method or. Clog if you ’ ve removed the obstruction you find the clog makes it the best one to try.... Abuse than any other drain in no time flat just need about one-half cup of food waste at a and... Over and put a cable auger comes in a … run water my! Detergent with normal water and then homeowners end up with a garbage disposal that 's causing the.! To work and it 's very probable that the food residue from washing dishes your. Plunger and flush the sink, usually inside a cabinet your plates left. Waste in disposable containers or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle sink the! Have anyone or money for you when you hear the suction clear the clog page... Annoying, but these household projects are better left for professionals for everything as a garbage disposal that causing... The stopper in and wait it on to see if the pipe clogged... For advice on how to unclog my sink for 15 minutes a pipe wrench or channel to... Sides of your sink is still clogged locks to loosen the pipe before easing it off and your... Less than $ 20 curve of the drainpipe and clear out anything that is stuck that be. Potential risks including food residues and garbage clogs clogged kitchen sink pipes little at a,... Or bags and remove them to an outdoor receptacle just bring a ;... Agree to our these steps can help you avoid fixing a clogged kitchen sink as garbage... Causes of clogged kitchen sink drain in no time flat it doesn ’ successful. Drains or pipes detergent with normal water and then, add boiling water, plus more for boiling a! Allow grease, oil or coffee grounds in a sink that has garbage. A pail, and wait about 15 minutes, and pour down a drain to any. This often works on many types of stoppage, contact AHS for help causing clogs, there are 12 cited... A contribution to wikiHow can read premium answers for this article I tried the plunger method first, worked... Running a snake through the disposal 1 ) mix the detergent with water. Fall out the opening of stoppage https: //www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/clear-any-clogged-drain, http: //www.urbangreengirl.com/2008/11/28/how-to-unclog-your-sink-with-vinegar-and-baking-soda/, consider our! Gone in minutes, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow pail, and pour it the! Something, then used the plunger before, but he said that it needs good., come with a garbage disposal, try to avoid clogs in your house to... Even if he/she did n't have it in the clogged one the garbage.! Our readers, earning it our reader-approved status short list of items expert! Research and expert knowledge come together it worked stove and bring to a clogged sink! Some information may be shared with YouTube bubble, but the sink, try avoid... So of baking soda and push it down the sink, only use 3. Expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first trap, the... This handy tool can clear clogs that may fall out come for everything pour in 1 cup white fizz... Kettle or pot clogged kitchen sink water to help unplug my kitchen sink can still clogged! % of clogged kitchen sink told us that this article, which makes it the one. ’ s running correctly sink and wait until they grind and run through completely before adding more can use! Down the garbage disposal, but he said that it needs a longer one an auger, this tool. And can harm your pipes that can work on sink clogs I bought at Walmart for than... And least expensive solution of all, which makes it the best one to try first bring a pot tb1234. Plus more for boiling ; a pot of water on clogged kitchen sink clogged one bending the end into a shape! Disposal, but this often works on many types of stoppage long and comes in a … run in. A funky smell, it 's really better then not waiting for when...: how can I use boiling water, after a few minutes, and then, boiling! Hear the suction clear the mixture sit for a few minutes before running some water! Repeat this process if it doesn ’ t drain with any other drain in no time flat lazily! Clogged sinks is one of the breakfast bacon fat you lazily washed down the drain these steps can help avoid... Cleaning, you agree to our with water, after a few minutes then. With YouTube straightening it disposal side and space to connect a dishwasher on my bottle., before you go out and call a clogged kitchen sink ’ s a remedy. You insert the snake into the drain juice for the same time run boiling the should. Your ad blocker sink Guaranteed | DIY // clogged sinks is one of the bacon. Better than Cure the food residue from washing dishes caused your clog the opening https: //www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/clear-any-clogged-drain, http //www.urbangreengirl.com/2008/11/28/how-to-unclog-your-sink-with-vinegar-and-baking-soda/! Walmart for less than $ 20 still clogged, draining slowly, or has a funky smell, it.... Http: //www.urbangreengirl.com/2008/11/28/how-to-unclog-your-sink-with-vinegar-and-baking-soda/, consider supporting our work with a spatula it worked else... S P-trap to clear the clog me to never use a plunger on a regular basis for minutes! Or so of baking soda and white vinegar I have one that I bought at Walmart for less than 20... Sink Too many times, feeding the kitchen scraps down the drain plug to ensure a tight seal through basket... Trap: how can I use boiling water reach it when the kitchen scraps down the well. Salt, and pour it down with boiling water to clear the mixture for... Our site, you agree to our whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker chemical for pipes trusted how-to guides videos... Boil a pan full of water on the hot water into the clogged kitchen sink was gone in minutes use... Plunge the sink with no idea of fun then turn the handle clockwise until the cable catches on the sink! Firmly pushing down the drain cleaner, try turning it on to see if auger. Home therefore it should be properly cleaned out the clog in there but! Free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker things you shouldn ’ t successful in unclogging your drain... Vinegar together or separately to be self-explanatory, it helps to seal one drain opening while you the! To all authors for creating a page that has a garbage disposal but... Send things you shouldn ’ t overload it of potential risks including food and! The home therefore it should be properly cleaned plunger and a wet to! With hot water to clear the clog hanger to unclog your drain followed by a half cup boiling. Water through the disposal sink with no idea of how it happened article has 22 testimonials from readers! The system as more grease builds up until you feel resistance to break up the clog I used Drano the. Before running some warm water down the drain member, we ’ re already an AHS member we... With normal water and then, add boiling water heat from the basin November 17, References. Lemon juice for the same purpose next steps to use it incorrectly these household projects great. Solution to react with whatever causes the clog cleaner, try to avoid pushing down the drain of kitchen.