Finding that your drain is clogged is a massive inconvenience to your day. It can cause you delays in washing the dishes, it can cause you to run the water lower than you might need to, and it can also be downright smelly or be unsightly. Time to clean up your act!
You may also think that seeing the water back up in your kitchen sink means a call to the plumber, but that’s not always the case. There are times you as the homeowner can unclog the drain yourself with just a few tips, tricks, and techniques. Having said that, it’s also important to know when it’s time to call in the plumber. In this article we look at four different ways to get your drain going again. The below methods are safe, cheap, and effective and you absolutely give them a go before admitting defeat and picking up the phone to call the professionals.
Baking Soda And Vinegar
One of the most effective ways to unclog the kitchen drain is to use baking soda and vinegar. Popular on TikTok and in elementary school science class volcanoes, baking soda and vinegar is natural, non-toxic solution to unclog your pipes. The process is simple and highly effective, and you probably already have these powerful-yet-common ingredients already laying around somewhere in your home. Follow these steps to unclog your drain quickly:
- Pour hot water (not quite boiling) down the drain
- Pour one cup of baking soda followed by a mixture of one cup of both vinegar and water
- Cover the drain with the plug and wait for five to ten minutes
- Finally, pour hot water again down the drain to finish
- Rinse and repeat a few times if necessary or if you see that you are making some progress
Use A Sink Plunger
Another way to unclog a drain is to use a plunger. A tried and true method that effectively blasts the obstruction out of the way via air pressure, plungers aren’t just for toilets. Sink plungers quickly remove stubborn clogs to get your drain flowing again without any extra ingredients, chemicals, or waiting around. Simply put the plunger over the drain and pump just like a toilet until the clog clears.
If you’re trying to unclog a kitchen sink that has two bays, push down a wet rag in the other drain that you aren’t plunging to create a pressure seal on the system. The same can be said of a bathroom where the sink and the bath tub are on the same escape. Once you’re set up, get to plunging.
You may even hear some feedback, a pop, and some rattling. This means you’re getting places! Finish by rinsing with clean, hot water and (hopefully) watch the water disappear down the drain!
RELATED: How A Bathroom Remodel Impacts The Value Of Your Home
Use A Drain Snake
A drain snake goes deep into your pipes and physically pushes the material lodged within them out of the way. Small snakes are fairly inexpensive and work on any drain in your home. Simply insert the Drain Snake into the drain as far as possible and rotate, pulling back up and down until you feel the clog giving way. Once cleared, rinse the drain with hot water to ensure proper flow. Now that was easy!
Use Dish Soap
Another common reason for kitchen sink clogs is coagulated grease, which accumulates in the pipes and causes clogs over time. One great way to address these sorts of blocks, in addition to the methods listed above, is to use some good old dish soap. To quickly break up grease clogs using dish soap, do the following:
- Remove standing water from the sink
- Pour a liberal amount of dish soap down the drain
- Let the soap sit for several minutes
- Pour hot water down the drain to flush
How To Know When To Call A Plumber
Although the above methods work well for many clogs, they may not work for all of them. Knowing when to call a plumber can save you time, hassle, and in the long run, a whole lot of money. Generally, you should call a plumber for the following reasons:
- If more than one drain is backing up and there is a smell of sewage
- If the above methods don’t clear the clog
- If the clog is caused by an object you cannot reach
- If the water continues to remain stagnant in the sink and won’t drain
When it’s time to call a plumber, Premier Plumbing has you covered. We’ve proudly served Southeast Michigan since 1987, providing high-quality service you can trust. Our expert plumbers provide a wide range of services, including house calls and routine maintenance, kitchen and bathroom remodels, new construction, and consulting. Don’t waste time or money calling a less experienced plumber; contact Premier Plumbing and see why we’re premier and they aren’t!
Metro-Detroit Plumbing Problems Hotline:
Location: White Lake, Michigan
Phone: (248) 363-5864
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Phone: (810) 632-7420
Location: Fowlerville, Michigan
Phone: (517) 223-4360
Email: [email protected]
Request a FREE repair quote with Premier Plumbing, Inc. online at premierplumbing-mi.com/get-a-plumbing-quote/