Is your kitchen sink clogged? A clogged sink is one of the most frustrating problems there is. Considering how often we use our kitchen sink to complete tasks such as washing dishes, cooking and cleaning, a clog can be a huge disruption.
Instead of calling a plumber right away when your kitchen sink is clogged, try some of these ten easy methods to unclog your drain. They are not guaranteed to work, but typically if the clog is on the smaller side, it should be easy to dislodge.
If you do happen to need a plumber right away, call Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating at 469-557-2703.
Continue reading for ten ways to unclog your drain.
1. Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the best, and least harmful, ways to unclog your drain is with baking soda and vinegar. Pour one third of a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one third of a cup of white vinegar. The mixture should begin to fizz. Let the mixture sit for at least one hour (more is better) and then rinse with hot water.
2. Wire Hanger
If you happen to have a wire hanger on hand then this method is a great way to unclog your kitchen sink. Take the wire hanger and straighten it out. Once you have done this, bend one end to create a small hook. Put this into the drain and see if you can pull any gunk out. The only potential issue with this method is that you may end up pushing the clog further down the pipe, so make sure you are gentle.
3. Wet and Dry Vacuum
If you have a wet and dry vacuum then you may want to try this method. Set your vacuum to wet and cover up the drain as tight as you can. Make sure that the vent on the vacuum is closed so that you can avoid a mess. Turn the vacuum on to its highest setting and see if it can pull the clog out.
4. Caustic Soda
Caustic soda, known as Sodium Hydroxide, can be dangerous to use so be sure that you put on some gloves and protective eyewear. You can purchase caustic soda at your local hardware store. Put three quarters of a gallon of cold water into a bucket with three cups of caustic soda. Stir it with a wooden spoon until it begins to fizz. Pour the mixture into the drain, let it sit for twenty to thirty minutes and flush with boiling water. You can repeat this if the clog still seems to be present, however it is not recommended to use this method too much.
5. Dish Detergent
You can also try dish detergent which acts in a similar way as baking soda and vinegar. Pour a quarter of a cup of dish detergent into the drain, followed by boiling water. Once you have poured both into the drain, you will need to start plunging. This may not work for deep clogs in which case you will have to call for drain and sewer services.
6. Boiling Water
This is one of the easiest ways to unclog your kitchen plumbing. Boil half a gallon of water and pour into the drain. Be sure to steadily pour it in a single stream. In other words: don’t pour it all at once. Wait about 20 seconds between each stage. If the boiling water begins to fill up the sink, let it sit until it is completely cool. Then remove the water and try again. Once the water starts to drain you will know that you have successfully removed the clog.
7. Drain Snake or Stick
A drain snake is essentially a cable with a piece of metal at the end that is meant to pull out any clogs. If you have a drain snake on hand and know how to use it, try that first. You can also purchase a drain stick at your local hardware store or grocery store. These are shorter sticks of plastic with toothed edges. You insert this into the drain as far as it can go and pull it back up. Sometimes the clog is deeper than a drain stick will allow you to go. In this case you will need a drain snake.
8. Plunger
While it may seem strange to plunge your kitchen sink, some surface level clogs will actually come out using this method. First you should remove most standing water, leave enough to cover the head of the plunger. Once you have done this you can begin plunging with a cup plunger. Be sure to get a tight seal over the drain and only bring the plunger up as high as water level. If this method doesn’t work you may want to consider calling a plumber for emergency plumbing services.
9. Salt and Baking Soda
Similar to vinegar and baking soda, salt and baking soda is also a relatively potent drain cleaner. Mix half a cup of salt with half a cup of baking soda and pour the mixture into the drain. Let it sit for ten to twenty minutes and then follow with boiling water. The mixture should spark a chemical reaction that may dissolve some or all of the clog.
10. Garbage Disposal
If you have tried a few things and nothing seems to be working, you may want to check your garbage disposal. All you have to do is switch it on and see if you can hear it breaking through any food waste. If the disposal won’t run at all, you can press the reset button usually located at the bottom of the equipment. Try it again and see if this helps to remove some of the clog. Remember to never put your hand down a garbage disposal to try to remove waste manually.
Duncanville, TX Plumbing Services
Before you search “emergency plumber near me”, call Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling and Heating. Our experienced technicians have the knowledge and tools necessary to remove any kitchen sink clog. At Dial One Johnson we also provide many other services such as maintenance, repairs and installations. No matter the issue, we have got your back.
To schedule an appointment with the Dial One Johnson team, give us a call at 469-557-2703 or contact us online.
Author Bio:
Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock
Dial One Johnson Plumbing, Cooling & Heating is now owned and operated by Sherrie Johnson-Hartsock, with his grandson, Daniel Johnson, a third-generation plumber who is also the Service Manager.