A clogged kitchen sink is stressful and frustrating. Thankfully, there are several easy ways to unclog a kitchen sink. While liquid drain cleaners can dissolve the clog, they can dissolve your pipes, are poisonous to humans and pets, and are harmful to the environment. Instead of using harsh chemicals, try one of these easy DIY solutions for unclogging a kitchen sink.
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink Safely and Easily
Here are four easy ways to unclog a sink that are safer than chemical drain cleaners and just as effective.
How to Use a Plunger on a Clogged Sink
They may seem low-tech, but plungers are one of the most effective plumbing tools. Plunging works by creating upward suction to loosen the clog and downward pressure to help flush it down the drain.
If you can’t get a good seal between the plunger and the sink basin, put a little petroleum jelly on the lip of the plunger. This will help seal the plunger with the sink, creating more suction to clear the clog.
Remove the plunger after six to ten pumps to see if the sink begins to drain. If not, repeat until it clears the clog. If your sink has multiple basins, you need to put a stopper in the other drain first.
How to Clear a Clog With Vinegar and Baking Soda
Often used in cooking, vinegar and baking soda are common household items that are great for cleaning too. To unclog your drain, pour a half-cup of baking soda followed by a half cup of vinegar down the drain and wait a few minutes.
Baking soda and vinegar create a foaming action that can unclog a kitchen sink. Allow them to foam for ten minutes, then flush the drain with boiling water to rinse away the clog.
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink With Baking Soda and Salt
You can unclog a sink or drain by reaching for more common household items. Pour one cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt down your drain and allow them to sit for at least a few hours or overnight.
Together, they help dissolve the clog and clean your sink and drain. Baking soda and salt are most effective on fat and oil build-ups but still work on most clogs. Then rinse the drain with boiling water to flush away the clog.
How to Clean out a Clog With a Wire Hanger Snake
A wire hanger makes a great DIY drain snake. Just snip off or untwist the end, then straighten it out. To snag clogs in your drain, bend a little hook at one end of the coat hanger.
Fish the hanger down the drain with the hook end first. Once you hit the clog, move it back and forth to snag it and pull it out. Unfortunately, this will not work if you have a garbage disposal.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Liquid Drain Cleaners to Clear Clogged Drains
While liquid drain cleaners claim to clear clogged drains, they are more dangerous and less effective at unclogging a kitchen sink than you may think. Liquid drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals like hydrochloric acid that are supposed to dissolve the clog. However, those chemicals need to reach the clog to work.
Sometimes you will get lucky using drain cleaners. But most clogs occur somewhere down in the drainpipe where drain cleaners can’t reach. Even if they do reach the clog, they are too diluted to dissolve it. Plus, they don’t just target clogs. They dissolve everything, including your pipes.
Also, those caustic chemicals are toxic to your family and pets. They will burn your skin and even the fumes can make your sink. And if children or pets accidentally swallow them, they can be extremely dangerous or even fatal in some cases.
How Do I Prevent a Kitchen Sink From Clogging?
The easiest way to unclog a kitchen sink is to stop clogs before they form. In order to keep things flowing smoothly, avoid putting the following down the drain:
- Fats and Oils – Fats and oils are the worst things you can pour down your drain. They can build up on drainpipes and help create clogs with food particles and other waste.
- Large Food Waste – Avoid putting any food waste down the drain that is larger than a pea. Dispose of large food waste in your trash or compost bin.
- Fibrous Foods – Fibrous foods like celery, asparagus, and corn husks can really clog up your sink drains and pipes. Avoid putting them down your sink even if you have a garbage disposal.
- Potato Peels – Potatoes are high in starch and can make a gummy mess that clogs your drain pipes. Skip the drain and add them to your compost bin or trash.
- Flour and Starches – When mixed with water, flours and starches will turn into a sticky glue and cause drain clogs. It’s safer to throw them away.
- Coffee Grounds – Coffee grounds will build up in traps and bends in your drain pipes. This will cause drains to run slowly. They can cause larger clogs if they collect with other items like fats and fibrous foods.
How to Clean up an Overflow From a Clogged Sink or Drain
If you have a water spill from an overflowing sink, follow these steps to prevent damage and clean up the mess.
- Shut off the Water – Turn off the water to stop your sink from overflowing.
- Soak up the Water – Use towels, rags or blankets to soak up the water.
- Remove Water From the Sink – Use a bucket or a bowl to remove water from the sink. Pour it down another drain or, better yet, outside to prevent further problems.
- Dry Your Kitchen – Dry your kitchen with fans. If the water soaked into flooring or cabinets, use dehumidifiers as well.
- Clean and Disinfect – Once dry, clean the kitchen with soap and water. Then disinfect with a cup of bleach per gallon of water.
What to Do If You Have Water Damage From an Overflowing Sink?
If you have water damage from an overflowing sink, you should begin cleanup immediately. If there is only a small amount of water, soak it up with towels or rags. For large amounts of water, use a pump or shop-style vacuum.
Then use high-volume fans and dehumidifiers to dry your kitchen. While household items will work, they will take longer which can cause more damage. You can rent structural drying equipment from a local rental agency.
If necessary, remove and dispose of damaged flooring or cabinets. Then clean and disinfect before restoring your kitchen. This may include replacing cabinets, painting walls, or installing new flooring depending on the damage.
Do you have water damage or a sewage backup because of a clogged sink or drain? Call 1-888-443-3110 for a free quote and fast water damage cleanup.
