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Kitchen sink not draining? Here are 6 ways to unclog it

There I was, minding my own business, washing the dishes after dinner like I always do. Just moments into scrubbing and rinsing the frying pan, I noticed that the water wasn't draining from the sink. I checked to see if anything was blocking the drain opening - nothing. I switched on the garbage disposal, but that was only a temporary fix. As I continued washing dishes, the drainage was only getting slower. With a clogged sink on my hands, my after-dinner cleanup was about to get more intense.

I'm sure I'm not the only one to experience the inconvenience of clogged drains. Clogged kitchen sinks are among the most common drainage issues to plague homeowners, largely because food debris and soap residue are nightmares for smooth draining. Thankfully, clogged drains are also one of the easiest home repairs to make on your own. However, before you roll up your sleeves and get into the do-it-yourself spirit, make sure you're aware of the plumbing myths that could lead you astray.

When it comes to the kitchen sink, for instance, don't think Drano and other chemical-based drain cleaners are the easy, go-to fix. The chemicals can sometimes cause more damage to your system, even if the clog seems fixed initially. Plus, backsplash from stubborn blockages could seriously harm your skin and eyes. You can avoid these catastrophes with other clog repair methods, some using common household items and others requiring some straightforward plunger or plumber's snake action.

Don't call the plumber yet! There's a good chance you can fix the problem yourself with one of these six methods to unclog a kitchen sink:

1. Attack with boiling water

When hair, grease, soap residue and other debris get stuck in your drain, boiling water may be all your pipes needs to loosen the blockage. It's the simplest fix, which means it should be your first move when trying to unclog a sink.

Easy as 1-2-3, here are the steps to follow:

Important note: Don't try this method if your drain is attached to PVC pipes, as the boiling water could melt or damage the plastic.

If the boiling water fails to dislodge the clog after the second try, it's time to move on to another method. Unfortunately, you have yourself a sink clog that's too stubborn for the simple boiling water approach.

2. Check the garbage disposal

If your sink has a garbage disposal, it could be the culprit of your drainage issues. If the clog is in the disposal, turning it on will usually break up the blockage. Overheated or dysfunctional disposals may not even turn on, but you can activate the reset switch at the side or bottom of the unit for an easy reboot. After resetting the disposal, try turning it on again to clear the clog.

If you turn on the disposal and hear a low humming sound, the unit could be jammed or broken. Before doing anything to fix your disposal, remember to disconnect the power to the unit and never - and we mean never - stick your hand in the disposal. From there, you can try to break up the clog in the disposal by turning the blades manually. You can do that by inserting an Allen wrench into the hole on the bottom of the disposal, and twisting until you feel less resistance, meaning the blockage is beginning to break up. If that doesn't work, follow these tips to unclog your garbage disposal. Once unclogged, turn the power back on and test the disposal. If all looks and sounds good, turn the faucet to see if the sink drainage is back to normal.

Keep in mind that your garbage disposal inspection may not reveal any clogs or issues, in which case you can skip straight to a different unclogging method.

3. Plunge away the blockage

Once you establish that the disposal isn't the problem, it's time to bring out the plunger. But keep in mind: While you can use the toilet plunger if it's all you have on hand, Dengarden suggested using a flat-bottomed one for the job. With your plunger at the ready, follow these steps:

If the sink still isn't draining properly after multiple plunging attempts, you know the drill. Time to try a different method.

4. Break it down with baking soda and vinegar

This approach is a natural alternative to using chemical drain cleaners on clogged drains. Much to your convenience, baking soda and vinegar are also common household items that you're likely to already have in your kitchen. Follow these steps to let the mixture work its magic:

As with any unclogging method, this natural alternative doesn't have a 100% success rate. However, if it seems like you're making progress on the clog after completing the steps, repeat the process to double down on the blockage.

5. Try the plumber's snake

The clogs that put up a fight will require the strength of a plumber's snake to battle the blockage. The tool has a coiled spiral snake that reaches down into the drain. Once the snake hits an obstruction, you can crank the handle to dislodge the debris and pull it out of the drain. Electric snakes pack even more power to tackle clogged drains.

If you don't have a plumber's snake, you can create a makeshift one with a wire coat hanger. Simply use a pair of needle-nose pliers to unwind the hanger into a long piece of wire. Keep the hooked end, as this is what you'll use to grab onto the debris. If necessary, you can use the pliers to adjust the angle of the hook so that it can easily fit through the drain opening.

No matter which tool you're using, simply feed it down the drain a few feet at a time. Try not to push too roughly, as you might accidentally push the clog further down the pipe. When you feel the tip of your tool hit an obstruction, hook it on and pull the debris up through the drain. Keep doing this until you feel confident that the blockage is gone. Run hot water down the drain to see if you're right.

6. Clean the P-trap

If the water is still not draining correctly, there might be a blockage in the P-trap, aka the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing your sink to drain slowly or not at all because the water hits a snag on its way down.

The fix is disassembling the pipe to clean out the gunk that's causing the blockage. Warning: This task can get a little messy, so you might want to prepare yourself with gloves, goggles and towels. When you're ready, follow these steps to clean the P-trap:

If the drainage situation is still not up to par, the clog may be farther up the pipe. Back under the sink you go to find the source of the blockage. Here's what to do when you get there:

Before you celebrate your handiwork, check under the sink while the water's running to make sure there isn't any leaking from the pipes. If you do notice leaks, make sure all the connectors are tightened. Once you're free from the drips, dry any water spillage from under the sink or on the floor and you're good to go.

If you've made it to this point and your sink still isn't draining, there could be a larger issue at play. It's time to give in and schedule an appointment with a plumber for a professional fix.

How to prevent future clogs

Now that your kitchen sink is draining properly again, make sure you're taking measures to prevent clogs from coming back. The most important preventative measure is refraining from disposing of harmful items down the drain. That includes:

Instead, pour cooking grease in an old can and dispose of the container once it's full. You can add certain waste, including coffee grounds, to mulch or compost piles.

The Home Depot also advised homeowners not to overload the garbage disposal. Try not to grind more than one cup of food waste at a time, and, of course, avoid sending any of the above items to the disposal. Another pro maintenance tip: Create an equal solution of vinegar and water, and freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray. About once a month, grind a few of the cubes down your disposal to scrape away food-waste buildup and keep the unit fresh. Here are more garbage disposal do's and don'ts to keep your drains clean and clear.

Another good habit for your pipes sake is running hot water down the drain after each sink use to keep everything clear. You might also want to use a drain cover to catch debris before they cause damage in the pipes.

While clogged drains are an easy DIY fix, being prepared for serious plumbing troubles before they arise is always a good strategy. See how plans from HomeServe can help with the costs of covered repairs.

Clogged Kitchen Sink? 5 Steps to a Fresh Drain

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Q: Last night my kitchen sink clogged up while I was in the middle of a load of dirty dishes. By morning, the sink had finally drained, but I certainly don’t want this happening again. Is it a situation I can tackle this myself, or do I need to call a plumber?

A: While a clogged kitchen sink is annoying, most folks can clear up this common problem without a plumber or caustic chemicals. Often, a buildup of food scraps and grunge is to blame for the obstruction. Fat and grease, fibrous foods like celery, starchy stuff such as pasta and potatoes, and even bones can wind up in your kitchen sink accidentally. Although certain food refuse can safely be ground up by a garbage disposal, stubborn scraps and gross goo can eventually stop up a hard-working kitchen sink, so follow this guide to get the drain running again.

RELATED: The Dos and Don’ts of Clearing a Clogged Drain

Check the garbage disposal.

A clogged kitchen sink with a built-in garbage dipsosal may just have food scraps from last night’s dinner that the unit failed to grind up, in which case running the appliance again could fix the problem. Turn on the tap and switch on the disposal.

If nothing happens when you flip the switch, the disposal’s internal circuit breaker may have tripped due to the clog overloading the motor. Look underneath the unit for a small red button, push it to reset the circuit breaker, and try running the unit again.

If the disposal hums but the blades don’t spin, something is likely jammed in the works. Remove as much standing water as possible into a bucket or bowl and then unplug the garbage disposal (the electrical cord and outlet will be underneath the sink). Shine a flashlight into the disposal and, if you spy an obvious culprit, such as a chicken bone or spoon, use a pair of tongs or plyers to remove it. (Never stick your fingers inside a garbage disposal; those blades are sharp!) Plug the disposal back in, and give it a try.

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Problem solved? Great! If not, continue to the following steps.

Try boiling water.

Sometimes, you can melt a partial grease clog using boiling water. Fill a pot or teakettle with water and bring it to a boil. Then carefully pour it directly into the drain. If the water drains easily, you’ve cleared the clog and you can move on to the kitchen sink maintenance tips, below. If not, try the next step once the water has cooled down.

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Pick up a plunger.

Plunging will often force a clog down and out of your sink drain. First, if you have a double sink, block the unclogged side with the stopper or a wet rag. For a good seal with the right plunger, you’ll need at least three or four inches of water on the clogged side, so if necessary, run the sink until the water reaches that level. Now, cover the clogged kitchen sink drain with the plunger and vigorously pump up and down for 30 seconds or so. Stop and see if the water easily swirls away, indicating that you’ve cleared the drain. If not, plunge for another 30 seconds. If the clog is still present, try another tactic.

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Check the trap.

If the above steps fall short, or you have a double sink with both sides stopped up, there’s a good chance that the clog is located in the trap—the U-shaped portion of your sink’s drainage pipe. Gather a bucket to catch water and a wrench, if necessary, to loosen the fasteners holding the trap in place. Place the bucket underneath the trap, loosen the fasteners with your fingers or wrench, and then remove the trap. Inspect it for blockages, using a coat hanger or similar tool to push the offending mass out of the pipe. Rinse the trap clean in a different sink or with a garden hose, and then replace it in its proper position. Run the faucet and see if the water drains normally. If the clog persists, or there wasn’t any blockage in the trap, continue to the next step.

Send in the snake.

A clog may be lodged even further down than the trap—a job for a drain snake. Also called a sink or plumber’s auger, and available at just about any home improvement center for less than $25, this useful tool cranks by hand, sending a thin “snake” of wire into the plumbing to push through blockages.

Before snaking a drain, place a bucket below the trap to catch water and remove the trap. Then loosen the drain snake’s setscrew and pull out several inches of cable. Feed the cable into the waste line–that’s the part of the pipe that carries waste water away from your home–and then crank the snake clockwise to push the auger deeper into the pipe. If you feel obstructions, slightly pull back, and then continue to crank the snake forward. You’ll know you’ve hit a clog if you first feel resistance, but then feel the snake break through the blockage and become easier to crank forward.

Start to withdraw the snake by cranking its handle counterclockwise. Wipe the gunk off the snake with a rag or paper towels as you pull it out of the pipe. Now, insert the snake into the pipe again and crank it forward. Repeat as many times as necessary until you no longer encounter any resistance.

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Reassemble the sink’s trap and turn on the water. If your sink still doesn’t drain, the problem could be further down the plumbing than you can reach with a snake, or caused by a more serious blockage, such as tree roots breaking into the pipes, and the time has come to call a plumber.

RELATED: The 10 Biggest Mistakes You Could Make at Your Kitchen Sink

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Keep your kitchen sink draining properly.

Once you’ve unclogged your drain, keep it open by following these guidelines.

Whether you have a garbage disposal or not, the following items should go into your trash or compost pile, never into your kitchen drain:

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Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed plumbers near you.

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Slowly draining water from the sink what to do? Cleanipedia.com

Why won't my sink drain

Sanitary regulations require that a sink with a faucet drain at a rate of 0.6 l/s1. How badly the water drains in the sink can be assessed visually without special measurements: it stagnates longer than usual, and a musty smell is felt from the drain hole.

Mechanical blockages

Occur when foreign objects enter the drain. The sink in the kitchen is clogged with pieces of food, dirt and grease. In the bathroom - hair, cotton swabs, caps from cosmetics. It is impossible to completely eliminate the ingress of foreign particles into the drain, but the installation of a special filter strainer significantly reduces the risk of blockages.

Mechanical blockages can form directly at the outlet of the sink - in the siphon. It is easy to clean it on your own, but the procedure takes time and usually turns out to be quite dirty. If the debris has passed through the siphon and clogged the sewer pipe, a special cable may be required, and in advanced cases, the help of a plumber.

Maintenance blockages

The calcium and magnesium salts contained in tap water are deposited on the walls as limescale. This problem is especially relevant in regions with hard water. In addition, cast-iron pipes rust - the damaged areas become loose and cling to themselves even more pollution. Preventing the formation of limescale and rust allows regular preventive cleaning of pipes with special household chemicals based on acid or alkali.

Technogenic blockages

Water in the sink does not drain, but the possibility of blockage or narrowing of sewer pipes is excluded? Most often, a similar problem occurs after repair - in case of violation of the drainage installation technology or improperly selected elements of the drain system.

Sometimes the solution to the problem is to replace the drain grate in the sink with a new one with wider openings. A bottle siphon can slow down the outflow of water, and accumulates more debris during operation - an alternative to it will be a U-shaped pipe siphon. It is also worth eliminating the kink of the corrugated pipe from the siphon to the sewer - it must be directed strictly vertically, while not resting on the glass. For a better outflow of water, sewer pipes are laid at an angle, avoiding a counterslope. To seal the joints, it is better to use rubber cuffs, silicone can get into the sewer and form a plug - it will have to be cleaned mechanically.

How to clean your sink drain yourself

Cleaning with a plunger

You can first try to solve the problem with a plunger. Fill with water at a level of 4-5 cm all plumbing fixtures connected to the sewerage: sinks, bathtub, shower tray. This will create a vacuum in the system - the water hammer created by the plunger will work more efficiently. For the same purpose, plug with a rag or cover the overflow hole above the sink drain with your palm. Cover the drain with the rubber cup of a plunger until a vacuum is formed. Make several translational movements with the handle - the pressure difference should destroy the cork.

Cleaning pipes with household chemicals

The easiest way to clean the sewer is to pour special household chemicals into the drain. Domestos blockage gel is safe for all types of pipes - metal and polymer. It has a thick consistency and works even in still water. Its active ingredient, sodium hydroxide hypochlorite, effectively breaks down limescale, soap build-up, sludge, grease, hair and other organic debris.

  1. Read the instructions on the label carefully;

  2. Rinse pipes with high pressure hot water;

  3. Take precautions: avoid splashing, use rubber gloves and mask, ventilate the area well;

  4. Never mix several drain cleaners - reaction with volatile chlorine can cause serious poisoning.

Cleaning the siphon

If manipulations with the plunger and the use of household chemicals do not bring results, the drainage system will have to be disassembled. If you initially used chemicals, take care of protective measures. Wear a mask and goggles, rubber gloves, and long sleeves to keep chemicals out of your skin.

First of all, you need to determine the place and cause of the blockage:

  1. Free up the approach to the drainage system, lay an unnecessary rag on the floor - the work will be dirty;

  2. Place a bucket or other large container under the sink to drain the water;

  3. Disconnect the corrugated pipe from the drain hole and place its end in a bucket. Open the water. If it leaves the sink well, the blockage is further down the drain;

  4. If the water level remains the same, completely disconnect the corrugation and repeat the operation, placing a bucket under the siphon outlet;

  5. Having eliminated the blockage in the corrugated pipe, you can proceed to disassemble and clean the siphon itself.

Siphons may vary slightly in design. As a rule, the principle of their analysis is intuitively clear. It is worth unwinding the elements as delicately as possible so as not to strip the threads and not damage the plastic nuts. Put all parts in a bucket and rinse thoroughly in hot water. Remove stubborn deposits even in hard-to-reach places with Cif universal cleaner in spray format. Assemble the siphon. Make sure that all gaskets fit snugly against the structural elements.

Rope sewer cleaning

Plumbing rope is used where other methods are powerless. It is a long flexible spring with a hook or a special nozzle on one end and a handle to create torque on the other. In the process of passing through the pipe, it adapts to all its bends until it hits the blockage. Two people are needed to operate the rope. One turns the handle to increase the mechanical effect on the blockage and additional cleaning of the pipe walls. The second one directs the cable and makes pushing-forward movements to destroy the plug.

How to prevent clogged sinks

Do not be lazy to clean the drain pipes every 2-4 weeks - thanks to modern household chemicals, the procedure takes a little time, providing long-term results. With regular maintenance, problems with stagnation of water should not arise. Often the water in the sink in the kitchen does not drain due to clogging with organic debris. Domestos pipe cleaning gel dissolves fat, protein fibers of meat, fish and eggs, vegetable peels, spaghetti and flakes “escaped” into the drain. ‎ In parallel, the gel breaks down lime deposits, improving water outflow and preventing the formation of traffic jams.

For preventive cleaning of the kitchen sink siphon, folk remedies are suitable. Pour into the drain 1 tbsp. soda, pour 1 tbsp. vinegar and leave for 15 minutes to remove small debris. To dissolve fat deposits on the walls of a metal sink, pour 2-3 liters of boiling water into the drain - this option is not suitable for faience due to the risk of cracking.

“SP 30.13330.2016 Internal water supply and sewerage of buildings. Updated version of SNiP 2.04.01-85* (as amended, with Change No. 1) / Appendix A // http://docs.cntd.ru/document/456054201"

causes and solutions to the problem

When the water in the sink in the kitchen does not drain, not every housewife knows what to do. A clogged sink leaves no room for washing dishes and fills the kitchen with an unpleasant smell.

Clogged sink makes it impossible to wash dishes.

Why doesn't the water drain?

Water does not drain well from the sink only because of blockage. However, there can be any number of sources of blockage. Most often, the drain is clogged with a lump of food debris, fat, hair, detergents, which gradually collect in the siphon, grow on its walls and narrow the lumen.

In addition, all kinds of small objects can fall into the pipe: pieces of paper, paper clips, buttons, bottle caps, parts of a children's designer. They can get stuck not only in the siphon, but also in any other place in the drain, preventing proper drainage. The way to eliminate it depends on the cause of the blockage. Therefore, before proceeding to solve the problem, it is recommended to establish its source.

Homemade Drain Cleaners

There are homemade products that traditionally help keep kitchen drains hygienic without the use of industrial chemicals.

Recipe #1 Baking Soda + Vinegar

Before cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, remove all accumulated water from the sink. After that, about 100 g of baking soda is poured into the drain and 1 glass of table vinegar is poured. For greater effect, the drain should be closed with a cork and left for 30-40 minutes. After this time, 2 liters of boiling water are drained into the sink. If after these steps the blockage is not completely cleared, you can use the plunger.

Recipe №2 Soda + salt + boiling water

In this procedure, you must also dry the sink. Next, half a glass of table salt and the same amount of baking soda are poured into the drain. Then 0.5 l of boiling water is poured into it, closed with a cork or a damp cloth and left for 5-8 hours. It is best to do this at night so that you get a clean and working sink in the morning. After the waiting period has passed, the drain must be rinsed with warm water.

How to Mechanically Clear a Clog

There are several ways to mechanically clear a clog in a kitchen sink. They are simple, but require physical effort.

Using a plunger

If the drain is slightly clogged, when the water is slowly but still leaving, it is best to use a plunger. It allows you to pump out water and air, gradually shifting and destroying the formed lump. The scheme of work with a plunger is as simple as possible. The tool must be attached to the drain and pressed against the surface of the sink with a series of sharp shocks. If the plumbing has two drains, then you can work with a partner, armed with two plungers. When this is not possible, the second drain is closed with a damp rag or cork.

With a slight blockage of the drain, when the water is slowly but still leaving, it is most reasonable to use a plunger.

Rope cleaning

Rope cleaning is used in the most difficult cases, so its effectiveness is beyond doubt. A special cable can be purchased at a hardware store. When choosing a tool, preference should be given to models with a comfortable handle, since working with such a cable will be the most comfortable and effective. High-quality cables are made from high-strength steel, which is resistant to corrosion and all kinds of damage. The service life of such a tool exceeds several decades.

Rope operation is clear and accessible. The brush or hook located at the end of the tool is carefully inserted into the drain hole. After that, the cable is gradually pushed into the pipe, slowly scrolling the handle. As soon as the working end stumbles upon a blockage, it should be pushed inward with an accurate and sharp movement, thereby destroying the formed lump. Working with a cable requires some effort and skill, but its effectiveness exceeds expectations.

How to remove a blockage chemically

You can find a lot of commercial drain cleaners in household chemical stores. They are easy to use, but extremely toxic, so it is important to observe safety precautions when working with them.

Mole

Mole is an effective clog remover available in liquid, gel or powder form. All of them have the following characteristics:

"Mole" is poured (contents of one bag of powder) or poured (250 ml of liquid product) into the sink and left for 1.5 hours. After draining, rinse with hot water. The manufacturer recommends repeating these manipulations every six months to maintain the hygienic condition of the system at the proper level.

Sanfor

Sanfor can clear a small clog in just 10-15 minutes, a large clog will take about 30 minutes. Before starting work, you need to scoop out the accumulated water from the sink, thanks to which the concentration of the product in the drain will be maximum. Next, pour 250 ml of the product into the sink and wait from 5 to 30 minutes. After this time, you can check the operation of the drain by rinsing it with hot water. If necessary, the manipulation can be repeated until the problem is completely eliminated.

The manufacturer recommends using the product once a month to prevent the formation of dirt lumps in the drain.

ORO-fix

ORO-fix is ​​available as a powder that quickly dissolves blockages from any organic compound. Its main advantages are:

The scheme for using the product is as follows: 2 tbsp. powder should be poured into the drain and wait from 30 to 60 minutes, then it is recommended to rinse the sink with hot water.

When using ORO-fix, there is no negative effect on metal and plastic pipes.

Removing and cleaning the siphon

Cleaning the siphon is a procedure that will help to avoid severe blockages and other troubles with the kitchen sink. For preventive purposes, it should be repeated twice a year.

Before disassembling the siphon, try other ways to solve the problem. If they did not work, this method will help to get the drainage system working. Before starting work, it is imperative to wear gloves, since a large amount of dirt, rotting food residues accumulate in the drainage system and colonies of pathogenic microorganisms develop.

Leave a wide container on the floor under the siphon for water to flow from the drain. Under the container, you can lay a large floor cloth. The sink should be drained of water, but if time permits, you can wait until the water itself drains down the clogged drain.

At the bottom of the siphon, you need to find and carefully unscrew the cover. At the same time, the movements should be smooth so that the fetid liquid and debris do not scatter throughout the kitchen. After removing the cover from the siphon, a rubber ring will fall out, it must be immediately lifted and put aside. A lump of dirt should be pulled out of the open siphon. To do this, use a sharp metal object (screwdriver, knife or wide fork), wrapped in rags. Then you need to open the tap to wash the small debris. At this time, it is important to monitor the filling of the water collection tank.

Once the pipes are in order, you can start assembling the siphon. To do this, install a rubber o-ring and tighten the cover.

Prevention of blockages

There are tricks that will help keep your drainage systems in good working order. For example, the sink drain must be covered with a special mesh that traps debris and prevents it from entering the pipes. If we are talking about metal sinks, then after each washing of dishes you need to pour 2-3 liters of boiling water into the drain. This advice is not suitable for earthenware sinks, as they can burst when exposed to high temperatures.

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