How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

It can be frustrating when your kitchen sink is not draining. The frustration rises when you have plenty of dirty dishes and the sink is filling up with water. Hold back for a minute and stay calm. Many times it is a few minutes’ task to unclog your kitchen sink. And if it does not solve your problem, call a kitchen plumber to get going and restore your peace of mind.

So, how do you unclog a kitchen sink without a plumber? Many times the clog is caused by minor issues. Follow some of the methods below before you call a plumber.

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1. Table of Contents

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   Vinegar and Baking Soda

Remove as much standing water you can from the sink and pour one cup of baking soda into the drain. Now pour one cup of apple cider vinegar into it and wait for some time. The solution will start to bubble.

Wait for about 15 minutes after it subsides. Now run hot water to examine if the clog has cleared. If the water drains relatively slower, perform the entire process once again. If that does not solve your problem, you might need to call a kitchen sink plumber.

2. Inspect the Garbage Disposal

Check if the garbage disposal is causing the problem. Run the disposal with hot water. If that does not solve the problem, turn off the disposal and inspect if there is an issue. If it is overheated or switched off automatically, you will need to restart it at the base. It should be able to fix the problem for you. If you need further assistance, hand over the task to a professional plumber and your sink will get back to normal.

3. Use a Plunger

The other way around unclogging your kitchen sink is by using a plunger. A plunger needs a tight seal around it. So, fill the sink with sufficient water that can cover the bell of the plunger. Now plunge the drain several times. When the clog is cleared, run the drain with hot water. You may repeat the process if the water is draining slower than usual.

4. Wet-Dry Vacuum

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and set up the wet-dry vacuum. Put the hose end at the drain’s entrance and create a seal around it. Now switch on the vacuum. You may use the highest setting if required. The vacuum pressure should unclog the sink. If that does not solve your problem, call a plumber for further assistance.

5. Clean the P-trap

Look under the sink, and the P-trap should be located at the curve of the drainpipe. If you do not see it, look for a cabinet. Sometimes it is located inside a cabinet. But before you start the task, get a bucket. Now place the bucket underneath the drain to avoid water spills on the floor. Unfasten the P-trap and clean whatever is stuck there. Replace the trap and run hot water through the pipes. Get the setup back into its shape, and your clog should have been removed by now.

6. How to prevent clogs?

Preventing clogs keeps your kitchen hours running fast and smoothly. Do not overload the disposal and avoid draining oil, grease, or coffee grounds. Once you have used the sink, run hot water through the drain to keep it clean. Practice it pretty often so that you do not have to go through the trouble of clogging.

Removing clogs from your kitchen sink may take several attempts with different approaches. You can use plungers, baking soda and vinegar mixtures, vacuum, plumber’s snake, or any other methods one by one. If you are still facing issues with the clog, calling a kitchen sink plumber to get the job done will be a good decision.

Read more: Top 3 Kitchen Renovation Tips for 2021