How to Unclog Your Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

One minute you’re washing your hands or cleaning the dishes, and the next, you notice your sink refuses to drain. All that dirty, soapy water sits unmoving inside your sink, stopped in its place by a pesky drain clog. Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and unclog the sink. But how?

If you’re unsure how to unclog a kitchen sink, you might feel confused about where to start. Although professional plumbers can remove drain blockages, there are several ways to unclog your kitchen sink without the help of an expert. Consider using these drain cleaning methods to get your sink running smoothly.

Try Using Boiling Water

One of the easiest ways to unclog your kitchen sink involves boiling water. All you have to do is boil a pot of water, pour the water down the affected drain, and let it sit for a few minutes. This isn’t a foolproof method of removing stubborn blockages, but it can help with slow drains. 

When learning how to unclog a kitchen sink, it’s worth mentioning that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. If boiling water doesn’t unclog your kitchen sink drain, consider trying another method.

Check the Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal is a useful device for breaking down a wide range of food particles. However, if your garbage disposal becomes blocked, this can clog your drain. Run the disposal for a few minutes to see if the garbage disposal is to blame. Simply running the disposal may remove the blockage, but if not, try restarting the disposal altogether.

There are a few garbage disposal dos and don’ts you should always keep in mind. For example, don’t dump fibrous foods like celery down your sink, as they can lead to troublesome clogged drains. Also, remember to keep your device maintained by regularly running ice cubes through the disposal.

Consider Plunging the Sink

If you still want to know how to unclog a kitchen sink, consider pulling out your plunger. Clogs on the smaller side can sometimes be removed with a cup plunger.

Before unclogging your sink with a plunger, make sure the cup makes a proper seal around the drain. Once you’re ready, use force to pump down repeatedly until you successfully remove the clog. Since you likely have a plunger in your home, this is one of the most convenient ways to unclog your sink. However, if the clog persists, there are more methods to try.

Use a DIY Drain Cleaner

Did you know that you can use household staples in your cupboard to clear drains? One of the most cost-effective ways to unclog your kitchen sink is with a baking soda and vinegar mixture.

Dish out one cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar. Pour the portioned baking soda down the drain, followed immediately by the vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit in your drain for 15 minutes, then flush the sink drain with hot water. 

Now that you know how to unclog a kitchen sink with DIY staples, you won’t see the need to reach for store-bought drain openers. While chemical drain cleaners may fix the problem temporarily, they can also damage your pipes, ultimately causing more harm than good.

Snake the Clogged Drain

If your bathroom sink is completely clogged, you might want to consider snaking the drain. Plumber snakes are tools that include a metal cable on one end and a handle on the other. The metal cable is inserted into the drain and lowered into the pipe using the handle. Once it comes into contact with the clog, the head of the metal cable will snag the blockage. The cable is then retracted using the handle.

While you can purchase a drain snake at a local home improvement store, they require some expertise. Instead, you might want to call an experienced plumber for a professional drain cleaning in Charleston, SC.

Does Your Clog Need a Professional Plumber?

Soap scum, coffee grounds, and other food particles can easily lead to clogged sinks. Fortunately, you now know how to unclog a kitchen sink on your own! Although there are many unique and useful ways to unclog your kitchen sink, sometimes calling a plumber is the most appropriate option. Some blockages may require a plumber to clean the P-trap, utilize hydro-jetting, or another drain cleaning method.

If you’re looking for dependable plumbers in Charleston, SC, LimRic can help. Call us to schedule a drain cleaning service today!