Nobody likes a clogged kitchen sink. Not only can it smell bad and attract bugs, but it gets in the way of cooking and doing the dishes. When you have a clogged kitchen sink, you may think the only way to fix it is to call a plumber. But before you do, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the problem on your own. In this blog post, we will give you instructions on how to unclog your kitchen sink, as well as tips on how to prevent it from happening again. So read on and get rid of that clog once and for all!
Warning Signs of a Clog Forming in Your Kitchen Sink
There are several warning signs that your kitchen sink is starting to clog. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to act before your sink clogs completely:
- Water draining slowly from the sink
- Gurgling sounds coming from the drain
- Bad odors emanating from the sink or drain
To fix these issues, you should try pouring a pot of boiling water down your drain to dislodge any stuck oils or other food particles.
Troubleshooting Steps to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink
If you’re dealing with a clogged kitchen sink, don’t despair. There are some things you can do to fix it on your own. Follow these steps to get your kitchen sink unclogged fast:
- Remove debris
The first thing you’ll need to do is remove any food or debris that may be caught in the drain. If your sink is full, you will also want to remove some of the water with a cup so that you don’t make a mess.
2. Use a plunger
This will help with a clogged sink caused by small amounts of debris. You can use a toilet plunger for this job, but it would be best to have a sink plunger with a flat rim because it’s designed to create the right pressure to dislodge sink clogs. This should be easy to find at your local hardware store.
3. Boil some water
If the plunger doesn’t work, try using boiling water. Note that this technique will only work if your drain has a minor clog (where water does drain, but slowly). First, remove as much of the water from your sink as you can. Boil about a half a gallon of water and carefully pour it directly into the clogged drain. If the water doesn’t start to drain, let it cool before you move on to the next step so you don’t burn yourself.
4. Use baking soda and vinegar
Pour one-half a cup of baking soda down your drain, then add one cup of white vinegar. Let that sit for at least 15 minutes, then flush with hot water to clear it away. This trick can help break up small bits of food and clear away grease from your pipes.
5. Try a drain snake
If you have one, use a drain snake (a tool with a long, flexible cable that can reach deep inside the drain to pull out clogs). Feed the snake into the drain until you hit the clog. Push the snake against the clog while turning it to “grab” the clog. When turning the snake gets harder, pull it out slowly to extract the clog. If you have a garbage disposal, we recommend skipping this step so you don’t accidentally damage your disposal.
How to Prevent Clogs in Your Kitchen Sink
The best way to deal with a clogged kitchen sink is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
- Don’t pour grease, oil, fat, or paint down any of your drains. Instead, pour these into old containers and then throw them away.
- Be mindful of what you’re putting down the drain. Avoid throwing coffee grounds, eggshells, or other kitchen debris into the sink.
- Use a strainer in your kitchen sink to catch food and debris. This will help to keep your drain clear longer.
- Run hot water down the drain on a regular basis to help break up any clogs that may be forming. You can add a bit of liquid dish soap to clear out grease buildup.
Still Clogged? Call Rocketman Plumbing!
If you’ve tried all the above steps and your kitchen sink is still clogged, it’s time to call in the professionals. At Rocketman Plumbing, we have the experience and expertise to unclog any drain in your home. We’ll have your kitchen sink back up and running in no time. So don’t wait, call us at (505) 243-1227 today!