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How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink | All Day Plumbing

How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

Does your kitchen sink take forever to drain? In the worst instances, it might not even empty at all and leave you with a gurgling sound as well as some terrible smells from last night’s dinner.

Clogged pipes not only cause problems for a kitchen sink full of dirty dishwater. If the blockage continues to build up, then it can lead to burst pipes and a very expensive visit from the plumbers.

But before you call the professionals, there are some tricks you can try to get rid of the blockage. As soon as you notice a delay in the water heading down the drain, use these methods to unclog your kitchen sink.

Plunging the Kitchen Sink

Your first attempt at unclogging a kitchen sink should involve a plunger. Make sure the tool has a flat rim so that it can create a seal over the hole and apply the necessary pressure to unclog it.

There should also be a little bit of fresh water in the sink before you start plunging. If last night’s dishwater is in there, empty it using a cup or bucket. Submerge the plunger and place the cup over the drain.

Keep it sealed and plunge as rapidly as you can while making sure it remains under the water level. If you don’t have any luck after five minutes, you’ll need to try something else.

Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain

If you don’t have PVC pipes, then boiling water might help unclog your kitchen sink. You’ll need to pour a couple of litres down the sink to have any effect.

You should pour it directly from the stove or kettle to the drain. Serve it slowly to the kitchen sink, and eventually, the water should start to dislodge the blockage.

If you don’t notice any change, repeat the process once the sink has cooled down. But if you still have no luck, then use another method to unclog it.

Dissolve the Blockage With Baking Soda

Baking soda can cure almost anything, including clogged kitchen sinks. But you’ll also need to combine it with something else to get the chemical effect you need to dissolve the blockage.

Start by pouring one cup of fresh baking soda down the hole. Then follow up with a cup of white vinegar. You should hear a bubbling noise start. This is your cue to plug up the drain. Give it around 15 minutes to work its magic, and then run hot water down to see if it worked.

If you don’t have any vinegar in the house, you can also try combining a cup of baking soda with half a cup of salt. Let it sit for a few hours, and then pour boiling water down the drain. You may need to use this method a few times to see if it works.

Use a Wet-Dry Vacuum

If you have a wet-dry vacuum around the house, it can come in handy to unclog a drain. Alternatively, you might be able to rent one from a supermarket or hardware store.

Start by making sure the vacuum is set up for wet use by following all of the manufacturer’s instructions. Put the hose over the drain and try to create a seal around it. If you have a double sink, make sure to plug up the other drain to stop any air from coming out.

Flick the vacuum to the highest possible setting. The pressure should then dislodge the blockage and clear the drain.

Try a Plumbing Snake

An auger or plumbing snake can give you an indication of where a blockage is located. Feed the snake down the drain until you’re greeted by some resistance. Try to clear the pipes by mashing the end of the snake against the obstruction. Once it’s clear, run some water down the hole to make sure you got it all.

If you don’t have any luck going down the drain, you can try to go through the pipes underneath the sink. Get a bucket or bowl to catch any water and unscrew the curved piece of pipe first. Check it for any blockages and give it a clean if it’s dirty.

Try the horizontal pipe next if you don’t have any luck with the curved one. Feed the snake down the drain and continue until you can’t go any further. Reattach everything but make sure not to over-tighten anything as it can crack easily.

Pour some hot water down the sink to see how successful you were. It should drain much more quickly than usual if you were able to get to the blockage. If it doesn’t, then the clog might be further down the pipes.

Make sure to check for leaks from the pipes you removed as well. Just in case you didn’t screw them tight enough.

Contact the Experts

If none of these methods work, then there may be a bigger problem on your hands. It’s important not to ignore the situation as a clogged kitchen sink can cause issues for the rest of the pipes in your house.

Instead, you should contact All Day Plumbing. We have over 20 years of experience in the industry and are one of Sydney’s leading providers. No matter what time of day it is, contact us, and we’ll make sure we’re on time otherwise we’ll pay you.