Having a clogged kitchen is a bother. It can be a hassle to wash the dishes and prepare meals! Luckily, we’ve put together a complete guide so that you know how to unclog a kitchen sink before calling in the experts. What you need for the following methods include a cup or small container, plunger, drain snake, or baking soda and vinegar. If all else fails, contact a professional plumber immediately.
Safety Precautions
As you learn how to unclog a kitchen sink, there are safety precautions you have to keep in mind to protect yourself and your sink. Plumbing work can be dangerous if done incorrectly. We recommend hiring an expert if you’re unsure how to proceed at any step of our methods. However, if you’re going to DIY unclog the kitchen sink remember to turn off the water supply, turn off the garbage disposal if your sink has one, wear protective gloves, use chemicals with care, use the appropriate unclogging method, be mindful of what you put down the garbage disposal, and avoid using excessing pressure on the obstruction.
- If there is any step that confuses you as you’re following our instructions and you’re not sure how to proceed, stop there and call a professional plumbing service. These experts have the experience and proper tools to unclog your kitchen sink without damaging it or its piping.
- Always turn off the water supply connected to your sink before attempting to unclog it.
- If your sink has a built-in garbage disposal, turn it off. This will prevent accidents from happening.
- If you’re using chemicals to unclog the sink, wear protective gloves as they can be corrosive and are not meant to come into direct contact with your skin.
- Use the right unclogging method for your type of sink. For instance, we recommend not using DIY methods to unclog your sink if it has a garbage disposal and calling experts to handle the plumbing issue instead. For instance, the methods we list here may not work if you’re trying to learn how to unclog a double kitchen sink.
- Avoid applying excessive pressure on the obstruction. Leaks may result from this harming the pipes.
- Feed, bones, or huge pieces of food should not be disposed of in the sink since they are hard or large. These can block up your garbage disposal and harm its blades.
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
A baking soda and vinegar mixture is a natural solution for unclogging the kitchen sink. You can use a combination of equal parts of baking soda and vinegar to break down debris and grease that’s clogging the sink after leaving it to work for about 15 to 20 minutes. Here’s how to unclog a kitchen sink with baking soda and vinegar, step-by-step:
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain first.
- Then, pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain as well.
- Let the two ingredients sit in the sink for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Turn on the sink or pour hot water down the drain to clean it and make sure that the clog is gone.
Tips for Maximizing the Effectiveness of this Method
To get the greatest results, there are a few guidelines to remember while using baking soda and vinegar to unclog a kitchen sink:
- Use hot water to flush the vinegar and baking soda down the drain. It should also help clear up the clog.
- Let the white vinegar and baking soda sit in the sink for at least 15 minutes and at most 20 minutes.
- Do not use this method if you have a garbage disposal or septic tank because it may not work on big debris or foreign objects and disturb the septic tank’s equilibrium.
- Use other methods after using the vinegar and baking soda method to clear up clogs.
Using a Plunger
The most typical equipment for clearing a clogged kitchen sink is a plunger. You’ll need to place the plunger over the drain and press down firmly to produce suction. Then, slide the plunger up and down several times to remove the clog. You can remove excess water from the sink with a small cup or container beforehand but leave enough to check if the clog has cleared up. Here’s how to unclog a kitchen sink with a plunger:
- Get a bucket, a small cup or container, and your plunger.
- Place the bucket near your kitchen sink to collect any water that spills in the process.
- Use a small container or cup to get rid of most standing water in the kitchen sink that can splash around and spill on the floor.
- To create suction and to help you check if the kitchen sink has cleared up, leave some water in the sink.
- Place the plunger over the kitchen sink drain and press down on it to create suction.
- To clear up the clog, raise and lower the plunger until the clog has cleared.
If the plunger method does not work, use our other recommended methods next or call a professional plumber to handle the clog.
Tips for Getting the Best Results With a Plunger
To effectively use the plunger to unclog your kitchen sink, keep the following in mind:
- Remove as much standing water in the sink as you can beforehand but leave some to generate suction.
- Use a flange plunger which is designed for sinks with its broad base.
- Use different plunging methods if one doesn’t work for you. Some homeowners have found that swaying the plunger from side to side is more effective than pushing it up and down.
- Use our other methods first and then use a plunger to unclog the sink.
- If required, repeat the steps on how to use a plunger again. It could take more than one try to completely remove a clog.
Using a Drain Snake
You can also learn how to unclog a kitchen sink with a drain snake. A drain snake is a thin, flexible cable with a wire spiral or a corkscrew-like end that’s used to clear up clogged drains. You just need to remove any standing water in the sink, insert the drain snake, and turn the handle to clear up the obstruction in the drain:
- Get a bucket and place it near the sink to catch any water that might spill over while you’re unclogging it.
- Use a small cup or container to remove any standing water in the sink.
- Place the drain snake into the sink and down the drain until you feel the resistance of the obstruction.
- Turn the handle counterclockwise after insertion to clear up the obstruction.
- Remove the drain snake and let the water run through the drain to check if the clog is gone.
Try to use the vinegar and baking soda method before using a drain snake. If this doesn’t work, call your professional plumber.
Tips for Avoiding Damage to the Pipes While Using a Drain Snake
Unclogging a kitchen sink using a drain snake can be successful, but it’s important to use it properly to protect the pipes:
- Always remove standing water from the sink to make using the drain snake easier.
- Use the right drain snake size for your sink.
- Don’t push the drain snake into your sink with a lot of force. Gently insert it, and turn the handle.
- Don’t bend or twist the drain snake. Its shape is designed a certain way so that you do not damage your sink.
- Don’t push the drain snake too deep down the drain and drop it.
- When you’re rotating the drain snake’s handle and meet the obstruction, stop and don’t push it further down. You can remove the clog now without damaging the pipes.
These guidelines will help you use a drain snake to unclog a kitchen sink efficiently without endangering the pipes.
Seeking Professional Assistance
If you’ve learned how to unclog a kitchen sink with baking soda and white vinegar, a plunger, and a drain snake but none of the methods have worked, it’s time to ask for expert help. A professional plumber will have the right equipment to unclog your kitchen sink and be able to diagnose a more serious plumbing issue (e.g., a broken or blocked pipe) if that’s the case. If you have a blockage that is brought on by a foreign object or significant debris, a septic tank, or if you’re unsure of how to proceed, we advise that you get professional help.
Tips for Finding a Reputable Plumbing Professional
To find a trustworthy plumber we recommend that you:
- Ask for referrals from your family, friends, or neighbors.
- Look up expert plumbing services online and read reviews.
- Look for licensed plumbers for high-quality services.
- Inquire about a plumber’s background and credentials. You want to make sure that they’re qualified and know how to unclog a kitchen sink well.
- Compare prices from different plumbers and look for high-quality services that are within your budget.
Remember these tips so that you can not only get your sink unclogged but prevent it from happening again with professional help.
Bottom Line: How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink
Even though unclogging a kitchen sink can be frustrating, it can be done with the right equipment and methods. You can learn how to unclog a kitchen sink with white vinegar and baking soda, a plunger, or a drain snake. However, if these methods don’t work, call in an expert plumber because there may be another more serious plumbing issue that you can’t solve on your own.
Unclogging a Kitchen Sink FAQs
To avoid blockages, what should I keep out of the kitchen sink?
We recommend learning how to unclog a kitchen sink and prevent it from getting blocked up by not disposing of large and hard food down the drain like bones.
What alternatives exist to using a plunger, a drain snake, and chemicals to unclog a kitchen sink?
You can learn how to unclog a kitchen sink with a cup of white vinegar and baking soda instead of using a plunger, a drain snake, or chemical cleaners.
How can I unclog a kitchen sink using vinegar and baking soda?
Here’s how to unclog a kitchen sink with vinegar and baking soda:
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the kitchen sink.
- Pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain.
- Let the mixture sit in the sink for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Use hot water to flush down the ingredients and clear up the clog caused by food particles or grease.
How can the effectiveness of using vinegar and baking soda to unclog a kitchen sink be increased?
For best results, let the mixture sit in the sink for 15 to 20 minutes and use hot water to flush it down. Also, use other methods in conjunction with this one to make sure that the kitchen sink’s unclogged once and for
Do baking soda and vinegar work well to unclog a kitchen sink that has a garbage disposal?
No, you shouldn’t use this procedure if you have a garbage disposal or to clear clogs brought on by huge debris or foreign items. However, this method can be used if you’re simply learning how to clean your garbage disposal.
If I have a septic tank, can I utilize this method?
We recommend not using the baking soda and vinegar method if you have a septic tank because it may damage the tank’s equilibrium.
How can I keep my garbage disposal and kitchen sink clear of clogs?
No matter what type of garbage disposal you have, we recommend regular cleaning and getting it serviced by a licensed plumber to prevent clogging.
When should I call a plumber to clear out a clogged sink?
We recommend calling a plumber if you’ve used all of our recommended methods or are unsure how to proceed with unclogging your sink at any time.
What additional safety precautions should I take when performing plumbing repairs, such as clearing a clogged kitchen sink?
If you are learning how to fix your smelly sink drain or clear up a clogged sink, we advise that you wear protective gear, have the right materials or equipment on hand, and use the most suitable method.
How much does hiring a plumber to clear a clogged kitchen sink run?
The cost of hiring a professional plumber to clear up a clogged kitchen sink will depend on where you live, the extent of the blockage, and a plumber’s expertise. You should compare different quotes before choosing a professional plumbing service.
How does using chemicals to unclog a kitchen sink affect the environment?
Chemical cleaners can seep into groundwater and damage the ecosystem which is why we don’t recommend using them. Instead, use our methods above or call an expert.
Because chemical drain cleaners can seep into groundwater and damage the ecosystem, they should not be used. Use natural substitutes whenever possible, including baking soda and white vinegar.
Could using a plunger or drain snake have any long-term effects on pipes?
Yes, the excessive or forceful use of a plunger or drain snake might damage the pipes and result in leaks or other problems so use them with care.
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