The kitchen sink is one of the most important parts of any household, especially when it comes to maintaining proper hygiene. You definitely won’t eat at a place where the kitchen sink is all clogged up with dirty buildup and standing water all around. A clogged kitchen sink, if left untreated, can lead to worse problems like pipes bursting or cracking, flooding, foul odor, etc. To stop this from happening, it is advisable to unclog the kitchen sink as quickly as possible.
The kitchen sink gets clogged due to a number of reasons. Draining the fat or grease in the drain, dish soap scum, food scraps, and strands of hair clog the drain over time. Even if you leave dirty dishes in the sink for a long time, laced with layers of oil and leftover food, it can clog the sink. Therefore, it is important to throw food scraps in the garbage and wash the dishes immediately to prevent the drain from getting clogged.
Before you try out different ways to unclog the drain, make sure to clean the area around the drain properly. If there is standing water, clean it up. If there is enough buildup, try to remove it as much as you can for an effective cleaning. Let’s go through the cost-effective methods to unclog the kitchen sink.
Also Read: How to Fix Low Water Pressure in Home: Quick Guide to do It Like a Pro
Materials Required:
- A large kettle for boiling water
- Baking Soda and Vinegar
- A big piece of cloth
- A plunger
- A Drain snake
How to Unclog the Kitchen Sink
Use Boiling Water
One of the cheapest and easiest methods to unclog the drain, boiling water helps melt the hardened grease and oil.
- Once you have cleaned the area around the drain properly, boil water in a kettle and start pouring it directly into the drain
- Wait for some time, and then turn on the faucet to check if drainage is happening properly or not
- Keep in mind to never use this method if your drain pipe is made up of plastic, as it can melt away, causing more problems
- Maintain distance while pouring boiling water, as it can splash and cause severe burns
- If drainage still doesn’t get restored after several attempts, contact a professional
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
One of the best home cleaning methods that is cheap and effective is baking soda and vinegar, which are readily available in the kitchen.
- All you need to do is first clean the area around the drain properly, and then pour half a cup of baking soda directly in the drain and wait for 10-15 minutes
- After that, pour a cup of vinegar slowly into the drain
- The vinegar, being acidic in nature, will react with alkaline soda and cause immediate fizzing
- The fizz helps break down the buildup and loosen it up. Cover the drain with a cloth, let the fizz reach the drain deeper, and wait for 20-30 minutes
- Now, pour a kettle full of boiling water slowly into the drain
- Turn on the faucet to check if drainage is happening smoothly or not
- Repeat the entire process if water is still draining slowly
Use Plunger
In case the boiling water and vinegar-baking soda methods are not working, you may need to use a plunger.
- First, you need to fill the sink with water to cover the drain opening properly, then place the plunger on the kitchen drain
- Push the plunger up and down several times for at least 30 seconds; do not rush this step
- Once you are done, remove the plunger and check if the water drainage is happening properly or not. You may repeat the process in case the water is draining slowly
Use a Drain Snake
Repeat the process if draining is still slow, and keep in mind not to be rough with this tool, or else your drain pipe may get damaged.
- If the plunger isn’t working, it’s time to bring in a drain snake or plumbing snake. It is one of the best tools designed to dislodge stubborn buildup that is deep in the drain
- Put the tool in the opening of the kitchen drain, and push it deeper gently till you feel resistance
- Twist the snake a few times, and pull it out slowly
- The debris will get stuck in the snake. Clean it with a cloth and pour hot water into the drain
- It will clear out the buildup
Final word
It’s not a pleasant task to dislodge a clogged-up kitchen sink, but it is important for the sake of hygiene. Always make sure to keep an eye on the drainage, whether it is happening smoothly or slowly. If it is draining slowly, you must start the cleaning process as soon as possible. It is easier and cheaper to clean up a minor buildup than to dislodge a severe clogging. If the home remedies and methods fail, seek professional help.
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