Standing water in your kitchen sink can make your day standstill.
Although it is not a thing that will kill you, the fact that the kitchen sink is the most used element in your kitchen makes this a chaotic issue.
From water backing up to unpleasant odors, dealing with a blockage can be frustrating. Fortunately, many clogs can be cleared without calling a plumber.
If you live in an apartment building, you should never downplay the seriousness of a clogged sink. At first glance, a clogged sink drain seems limited to a single unit.
However, the interconnected nature of plumbing systems means that issues in one apartment can quickly spread throughout the building. Click here to learn more about how a clogged sink can affect others in an apartment building.
Now, we’ll tell you 6 steps to fix a clogged kitchen sink using tools you likely already have at home.
Before you start tackling the clog, remove as much water from the sink as possible.
You can use a cup or small container to scoop the standing water into a bucket or nearby drain. Once you’ve cleared the water, remove any visible debris, such as food particles, sitting at the sink’s bottom.
Boiling water is a simple and effective way to loosen minor blockages caused by grease or soap buildup.
Fill a kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain in two or three stages, allowing it to work on the clog between pours.
If the water drains away, you may have successfully cleared the blockage.
If boiling water doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to reach for your trusty plunger.
A kitchen sink plunger with a flat bottom is best for this task. Here’s how to use it:
Cover the drain with the plunger’s cup and ensure a tight seal. Cover the other drain with a wet cloth or plunger if your sink has two sides to ensure proper suction.
Push firmly on the plunger, then pull it back up without breaking the seal. Repeat this motion 10 to 20 times or until you feel the clog break up.
Run water to see if it drains smoothly. If the clog persists, you may need to move on to the next step.
The P-trap is the curved pipe under your sink, and it’s often where clogs occur due to food particles, grease, or debris. Here’s how to clean it:
Put a bucket underneath the P-trap to catch any water that spills out.
Use a wrench or your hands (if it’s a plastic pipe) to loosen the nuts on both ends of the P-trap. Once removed, empty the contents into the bucket.
Clear out any debris using a brush or your hands, and rinse it thoroughly with water.
After cleaning, reattach the P-trap and ensure the nuts are securely tightened. Run water to check if the clog is gone.
If the clog is more profound in the pipes, a plumbing snake, also known as an auger, can help. This tool can reach further into the drain to break up or pull out blockages.
Here’s how to use it:
Feed the snake into the drain, turning the handle clockwise as you push it further into the pipe.
Once you feel resistance, you’ve likely reached the clog. Keep turning the handle to break the clog or pull it out.
Slowly pull the snake back out, removing any debris along with it. Rinse the sink and test the drain.
Once you’ve successfully cleared the clog, take a few simple steps to prevent future blockages:
Grease and oil can solidify in pipes, leading to clogs. Instead, dispose of it in a container.
A screen or strainer over your drain will catch food particles and debris, preventing them from going down the pipes.
Pouring hot water down the drain weekly can help clear any buildup.
Fixing a clogged kitchen sink doesn’t always require professional help.
With patience and the right tools, you can tackle most blockages yourself.
By following the 6 steps to fix a clogged kitchen sink, you can have your sink draining smoothly again in no time!
If you’ve tried everything and the clog remains stubborn, it may indicate a deeper issue in your plumbing system. In this case, you should contact our local plumber to fix the problem.
